PRAYING LIKE JABEZ

"PRAYING LIKE JABEZ"
1Ch 4: 9-10

Intro:
When it comes to the man known as Jabez, many of us are confused as to his place in the Bible narrative. I'm confident that you have heard the name, and possibly something about the small prayer he once prayed, but chances are good that you are unfamiliar with the location of that passage. This is forgivable given the location of this short prayer. It is located in the midst of the genealogy of the house of Israel. Many of us come to the first 9 chapters of Chronicles, and we simply skip over them. However, in skipping over them, we miss out on this beautiful, heartfelt, and inspirational prayer.
Recently there has been a great ground swell in regard to the prayer of Jabez. Tonight, for just a few minutes, I want us to examine the idea of, "PRAYING LIKE JABEZ." While this brief prayer doesn't cover everything concerning prayer, it does give us a wonderful foundation on which we can build a more healthy prayer life. Let us ask and answer the question, what did Jabez pray for?

I "OH, THAT YOU WOULD BLESS ME INDEED"

1. What do we know of the background of Jabez.
A. The truth of the matter is that we know very little.
B. All that we know is found in these two verses.
C. We know that he had brothers, and that his mother had difficulty in childbirth.
D. We also know that his name means, "Sorrowful."
E. From these few details, we can deduce that he likely had a hard life.
2. What can we learn from his request for blessings, and God's subsequent answer?
A. Job 42: 2 we can learn, just as Job learned, that though we might have hard times, we should never give up!
B. Psa 17: 6 we can learn, just as David learned, that regardless how bad things are going, God hears our prayers!

II "ENLARGE MY TERRITORY"

1. There is something here that you must see in order to understand his request.
A. There are many who have proposed throughout the years that Jabez was a farmer, and was asking for the Lord to increase the boarders of his land that he might give more to the Lord.
B. There have also been those who have suggested that he was a rich man, who wanted more, that he might give more.
C. In either case, the major supposition is that he wanted more, that he might give more.
2. Today, you and I should be praying for the expansion of our own boarders.
A. 2Ki 2: 9 we should pray that our individual spiritual boarders be expanded, and that we receive a double portion of the spirit of God!
B. Deut 1: 11 we should pray that the Lord would give the increase to his Kingdom 1000 times over!

III "THAT YOUR HAND WOULD BE WITH ME"

1. There is a very basic request found in these words.
A. 1Ki 3: 9 Jabez asks for the same thing King Solomon had prayed for.
B. Psa 119: 105 Jabez prayed for the same thing, which David had asked for.
C. All three asked for guidance.
2. Instead of trying to stumble down the road of life alone, why don't we ask for guidance in this same way?
A. Pr 22: 6 when razing our children, we should pray for guidance!
B. Eph 5 22-26 when dealing with our marriages, we should pray for guidance!
C. Jam 3: 13-18 when contemplating spiritual matters, we should pray for guidance!

IV "AND THAT YOU WOULD KEEP ME FROM EVIL, THAT I MIGHT NOT CAUSE PAIN"

1. As in the previous request, Jabez is asking for something very understandable.
A. Jabez is asking for protection.
B. He wants protection from his human nature.
C. He wants this protection that he might not hurt those around him, but would instead do good.
2. The lesson here is bright and clear!
A. This sounds much like the Hippocratic oath which doctors take, which says: "First do no harm."
B. The goal and objective is to do well, and avoid bringing harm.
C. Phil 1: 3-4 we should pray that we are a blessing to our brethren!
D. Rev 2: 9-11 we should pray that we might be an asset to the kingdom of God!