THE PRAYER OF JABEZ - OUR LOVING FATHER’S PATTERNS FOR LIFE, AND ETERNITY -- By PASTOR DAVID J. LEET

There are many good teachings on the subject of prayer.

This is a teaching on personal prayer which you can do for yourself.

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever wondered about praying for yourself as well as for others ?

Well, you're not alone on this one, as I was asking this same question years ago, when I first became saved, and started my own Christian walk.

In this study, we are going to look at the Prayer of Jabez , as an example for us, and, by us, which is granted by God.

A little historic Jewish footnote here :- the name Jabez in the Jewish language means :- bringer of pain or sorrow, as his mother bore him in such pain.

Now therefore, we know that we can indeed pray for ourselves, and God will answer our self prayers.

There are many scriptures that tell us to pray, and how to pray, even that we should pray for ourselves.

The age old doubt we face, "I can't pray for myself, I need an anointed pastor to pray for me". I have heard this in many churches from many Christians. This is actually doubting God's word and anointing on and in you.

God did not give up his son for an anointed bunch of weak Christians. If you can't pray for yourself, if you have any doubt in this, then God can not advance you into a ministry for Him, due to spiritual immaturity.

Now let's get real here, this depends on the teaching people have received. In most religiouns, people are taught to go to the minister for prayer, they are not taught to pray for themselves.

I will address this issue in a later study.

Here are some scriptures for thoughtful study :- Matthew 7 vs 7, Philipians 4 vs 6-7, Matthew 6 vs 6, Romans 8 vs 26 to name a few.

THE PRAYER OF JABEZ:

1 Chronicles 4 V 10:

10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

Read out this verse, and consider what is being said, in the power of Jabez's prayer.

Jabez asked God to “Bless me Indeed” This was a request for a spiritual, everlasting blessing from God, as well as for the natural blessings.

Next he asked, “Enlarge my coast” - In this we can see material blessings for home, jobs, accountability, etc, however, we can also see a call to God, to expand our ministries to Him, and through Him, and for Him.

Then comes the request for God’s Holy Spirit to Guide us - “That thine hand might be with me”

In his request, “That thou wouldest keep me from Evil”, that it may not grieve me” - Jabez was seeking divine protection, as well as personal restraint in his life.

Now look at the last sentence of his prayer - “And God granted him that wich he requested”

Now let's take a look at these blessings in Deuteronomy 28 V 1-14:

1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

9 The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.

10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee.

11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

Read out these blessings for those who meet God’s conditions.

God is not only showings all of His blessings, but also a pattern for life, and teachings for future generations.

A pattern for life, and teachings for future generations,

He is also show us attitudes to have.

Matthew 5 V 3-16:

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

These scriptures are called the Beatitudes.. The encourage us, comfort us , reassure us, and guide us into maturity as Christians,.  Therefor I call them the Be-Attitudes”

So that now in closing, we can see how God shows us not only His will for our lives, but also His great love of us, as adopted children, and gives us direction in our lives.

He places His laws and statutes in side of us, by His Holy Spirit indwelling us.

He has made provision for us to use His authority in all of our situations and problems.

Not only for us either!  These promises and blessings are Generational!

Deuteronomy 7 V 9:

9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

We see Humility, prayer, praise, worship, contrition of heart.

We now know to ask God for all things, and in our troubled times as well as our good times.  As we wait on Him, we learn to do things is His strength, His Way.

Now to close, pray the following prayer and give deep consideration to what God has done for us all.

Read and consider Psalm 34:

1 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

9 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.

11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

16 The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

22 The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

We will join up the prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4 V 10:

10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

to the prayer of King David in 1 Chronicles 17 V 24-27:

24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The Lord of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.

25 For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee.

26 And now, Lord, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:

27 Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O Lord, and it shall be blessed for ever.

Thank you Father, for your continual effectual working in my life, by your gently Holy Spirit.  I give you this glory and the honour, forevermore, in Jesu name, Amen!

It is my most fervent pray, that this study will deepen your walk with God, and increase your understanding of His truths.  Not only for you, but for your generations to come.

May God bless you all.  Amen!