Revealing the Unexplained: What Is the Prayer of Jabez?
Although it happened over 3,000 years ago, the powerful prayer of Jabez is still an important part of Christian theology today. For many people seeking God’s guidance, it is often a guide on what to ask.
Jabez’s prayer also serves as a reminder that God is ever willing to grant the good desires of our hearts that align with His plans for us. Let us examine the life of this righteous man and learn some vital lessons about the Christian life that his story teaches.
The Story of Jabez in the Bible
Jabez was one of the minor characters in the Bible, mentioned only three times, and all three appearances were in the first book of Chronicles. One of the things that draws attention to this man is the meaning of his name.
In the Hebrew language, Jabez is associated with pain. So, the mother gave him the name because she bore him out of pain. (1 Chronicles 4:9)
Back in the day, it was very common for Jewish people to give their children symbolic names, especially if they were born in “interesting” circumstances. The story of Jabez tells us that Jabez’s mother suffered a great deal during childbirth, so it makes sense that she would name her child after the pain she felt.
We can also say that, in some way, she felt like this pain meant that Jabez was destined to have a life filled with pain and sorrow. However, Jabez was determined to challenge the belief that a name can define one’s destiny. So, he defied the odds and cried out to God for help.
His life was a clear example of a true servant of God, so much so that the Bible described him as “more honorable than his brothers.” Jabez was so close to God that when he asked for blessings and protection from evil, God did not hesitate to grant it and more.
Looking at how his name appeared so randomly in 1 Chronicles, we can infer that Jabez meant so much to God regarding Israel’s ancestry. The first book of Chronicles is dedicated to the genealogy of Israel, and the author spent so much time, across several chapters, tracing the ancestry of the nation of Israel from David down to Adam, the first man.
There is obviously something exceptional about Jabez that prompted the author to interrupt his research into Israel’s ancestry to tell us his story. As we explore Jabez’s prayer, we will unravel many inspiring facts that must have motivated the author.
Meaning of the Jabez Prayer
We can find the short but powerful prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10:
Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border! May your hand be with me, and may you keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!”
He started the prayer by crying out and asking God for blessings: “Oh, that you would bless me.” From this, we see him acknowledging that true blessings come from God, and he does not have to chase the world for it. His heartfelt cry to God also acknowledges that God has Jabez’s life in His mighty hands.
The part of the prayer that goes, “that you would enlarge my border,” often comes off as Jabez asking for land or wealth. But when we look closely at the life Jabez lived, we can tell that he didn’t want an abundance of wealth or material prosperity. Instead, he wanted to expand his spiritual territory and grow closer to God.
“May your hand be with me” is another act of surrender, implying that Jabez wanted God in control of every aspect of his life. He understood that blessings without God’s input could quickly turn into curses. In the same way, when we pray for blessings from God, we should ask him to be with us so we don’t misuse the things we prayed for.
“Keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” indicates that Jabez understands the painful history behind his name but doesn’t want it to define him. He rejects the shame attached to such a name and its effect on his life. He basically asks God to rewrite his story and turn this perceived weakness into glory.
The Jabez prayer is a deep cry from a man who knew he needed God’s help to change his story and wasn’t ashamed to ask for it. It also reflects a deep trust in God and an absolute surrender to his plans.
Lessons From the Prayer of Jabez
The Jabez prayer demonstrates many practical lessons that resonate with our daily experiences. Let’s look at some of these lessons and how we can apply them in our Christian life.
- Break the Cycle of Pain
No matter how we try to make it sound good, Jabez is not a good name. It was a name borne out of deep pain. But despite his challenging start, Jabez didn’t let pain define him.
A vital lesson to pick from this is not to pass our pain on to others. The fact that we are hurting doesn’t give us the right to harm others. You can decide today to break the cycle of pain and choose not to define yourself or others by past struggles.
- Turn to God Whenever You Are Distressed
The life and story of Jabez show us that we can always turn to God, even when everyone in our lives disappoints us. Psalm 68:5 describes God as a “father to the fatherless and a defender of widows.” Even if you’ve lost a loved one, such as a spouse or beloved parent, God is a reliable father you can turn to.
- Take Your Pains to God
As we highlighted above, Jabez’s prayer is not just a request for blessings. Jabez recognized that God is there to listen to his pain and worries, and his example shows us that it is okay to take these problems to God.
God desires to hear from us and is willing to help and comfort us.
- Boldly Ask for God’s Blessings
One of the many characteristics of Jabez that we admire is his bravery. He did not let his circumstances limit his expectations. Instead, he boldly asked God for blessings, and God granted his request.
So, asking God for favors and blessings in our lives is acceptable. The prayer of Jabez shows that God enjoys blessing his children and urges us to approach him confidently.
- Always Seek God’s Protection
Jabez understood the need for God’s guidance and protection and prayed for God’s hand to be with him. In the same way, our world is filled with so many challenges and pitfalls. Following Jabez’s example, we can ask God to protect us from danger and lead us through all our difficulties and trials.
- Choose to Live a Life of Honor
The Bible says that Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. But nobody would have seen this coming, considering that the name Jabez literally means pain. What this teaches us is that we can rise above our painful and traumatic pasts.
We can choose to end the cycle of pain by refusing to give in to the many vices and troubles we may have witnessed growing up. There is honor in living differently according to biblical principles, and Jabez’s story shows us that is possible.
- God Uses Pain for Purpose
Jabez’s life illustrates that pain does not have to define us. Rather than dwelling on the pain, Jabez focused on living a good life and asking God to take control of his situation. His story teaches us to find purpose in pain and use our setbacks as springboards for our blessings.
- God Answers Prayers
This is probably the most important lesson of all from the prayer of Jabez — that God answers prayers. God is still in the business of answering prayers. Let this inspire you to approach God with a sincere heart, recognize Him as the source of our blessings, and seek Him for His gifts and presence.
How We Can Imbibe Jabez’s Spirit in Our Daily Lives
Incorporating the prayer of Jabez scripture in our daily lives will first require us to acknowledge that we need God. This intentional and heartfelt approach is more than repeating 1 Chronicles 4:10 like a script.
We need a heart fully surrendered to God and His will in our lives. Here are some ways we can be like Jabez in our daily lives:
- Acknowledge that You Need God
Jabez started his prayer, acknowledging that he needed God and choosing to depend on him. Likewise, in our daily lives, we should recognize that we can’t navigate it on our own. So, our first step is to humbly admit our need for God’s guidance and intervention.
- Seek God’s Blessings With a Purpose
When we pray like Jabez, we seek God’s blessings not for selfish gain but to make a greater impact on His Kingdom. In our everyday prayers, let us ask God to bless us in ways that enable us to contribute positively to the lives of others.
It is acceptable to desire blessings and good things, but this desire must go beyond personal fulfillment. Otherwise, we may open ourselves to the manipulations of the devil.
- Always Ask God for Protection
Just like Jabez, we should ask God to keep us from harm and pain, seeking His guidance in His ways. Let us learn to acknowledge the Holy Spirit as the Comforter, Counselor, and Guide. Trust Him to lead you into truth and shield you from the schemes of the enemy.
- Recognize God as the Source of All True Blessings
Jabez humbly recognized that all blessings and success came from God. As we go about our activities, we must maintain this humility, understanding that any goodness in our lives ultimately comes from God. Recognizing God as the Source will help keep us humble and grateful.
- Make Specific Requests
The prayer of Jabez encourages us to be specific in our requests to God. Like God did to Jabez, He has the power to bless us as far as our eyes can see. So, do not make modest requests or think anything is too big or insignificant to bring before God.
Remember that after Jabez made his prayer, God granted it without question. So, keep that truth in mind.
- Be a Blessing to Others
As Jabez did in the Bible, we, too, can ask God to pour out His blessings upon us, not for selfish gain but so we can be a blessing to others. Invite the Holy Spirit to empower you to be generous, compassionate, and loving towards those around you.
- Surrender to God’s Will
Finally, adopting the prayer of Jabez will require us to surrender our lives fully to God’s will and purposes. For this to happen, we must first align our hearts with God’s kingdom, inviting the Holy Spirit to have full control over every area of our lives. To live like Jabez is to live a life of absolute surrender and obedience to God.
A Personal Prayer to God for Help
Dear God,
You are the Maker of the universe, and You hold the key to all creation. I stand before You today in awe of Your greatness, and I recognize that every breath I take is a gift from You.
Thank You for saving me from the clutches of the devil and placing my feet on solid ground. I pray that You create in me a compassionate heart and help me to spread the hope of Christ diligently to those who desperately need it.
Lord, make my life a vessel for Your mission and guide me as I go about my day. Shield me from temptation and protect me from the snares of the enemy. Forgive me when I fall, and bless me with Your abundant provision.
In Jesus’ name, I pray,
Amen.
