Prayer of Jabez

The Prayer of Jabez

1st Chronicles 4:9-10 (LBP)

9 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain."

10 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!And God granted him what he requested.

Click here to see a discussion
on the translation of these verses
from the Hebrew

Summary: When read within the context of the full witness of scripture, The prayer of Jabez is neither a magic lamp which produces guaranteed results, nor an excuse for consumerism and greed. Rather it can be a profound and helpful resource for your prayer life.

A good way to frame the prayer of Jabez is to begin first with what God says to us before we turn to what Jabez prayed to God. Micah 6:8 gives us the words of the Creator to the creature, and then the Prayer of Jabez is the response of the creature to the Creator:

Text Box: And Jabez called on the God
of Israel saying,

"Oh, that You would bless me,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!"

(1st Chronicles 4:10)
This prayer can be understood in such a way that it does not oppose but rather compliments the prayers of Habakkuk

Text Box: He has told you, O mortal,
what is good;
and what does the LORD
require of you but

to do justice,
to love kindness,
to walk humbly
with your God?

(Micah 6:8)