The Jabez Prayer

When I remember the many prayer ministries of the churches I served, I remember one which just happened without any effort on my part.  It happened when Bruce Wilkinson wrote the little volume entitled, "The Prayer of Jabez."  It was a book which captivated the hearts of so many people.  Without any effort folks read the book, embraced the spirit of what was being said, and it propelled the church forward in its prayer life.  While some of its critics voiced concern that it was a prayer too self centered, it struck a positive chord with a great number of people.   

The prayer of Jabez is recorded in I Chronicles 4:10 and reads, "And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, 'Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!'  So God granted him what he requested."  The book Wilkinson wrote was a very small volume that lifted up the four major concerns of the prayer, but overall it was a prayer that God would grant a larger sphere of influence for work of God's Kingdom.

The point of the prayer never seemed to be personal gain so much as a prayer that sought gain for the Kingdom of God.   I remember those days when the book was much talked about within most church circles.  It was a time when small groups were reading it, discussing it, and committing themselves to praying the Jabez prayer daily.  Praying the Jabez prayer, or any prayer for that matter that seeks growth for the Kingdom, can only help and strengthen the church.