A NEW LOOK AT THE PRAYER OF JABEZ by Ben Peters

Greetings Friends,

I just posted on FaceBook the following short word.  I believe this is from the Lord and we will be seeing some great things in the coming year.   Please accept this as my prediction and exhortation for 2017.

 

ANOTHER LOOK AT THE PRAYER OF JABEZ

I believe the Holy Spirit is saying, “It’s time to take a deeper look at Jabez’s prayer.

Jabez name meant pain, because his mother said, “I bore him in pain.” 

Obviously, his name bothered him because he “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.”  I Chronicles 4:10.

Jabez made four requests, which were expounded on by Bruce Wilkerson.  They were:

  1. Bless me indeed.
  2. Enlarge my territory.
  3. That Your hand may be with me.
  4. Keep me from evil.

What I would have liked the author to pay more attention to was the declared motive for this prayer.  Motives are based on the condition of our heart, and that’s what God is always looking at.  I’m wondering how many who prayed these four requests failed to receive their answers, as Jabez did, because they didn’t have the purest motives.

The cry of Jabez’s heart, was, “that I might not cause pain.”  Somehow, Jabez connected his lack of blessing, territory, God’s hand and protection from evil with causing pain to others.  I don’t really know what his situation was, but this I do know.  The opposite of causing pain is being a blessing.  I can clearly see how the fulfillment of these requests would be helpful if he wanted to be a blessing to others. 

So simply put, he could have worded it more like this:  “Lord would you help me to be a blessing by showing me Your favor in blessings and enlarged territory.  Would you show that you are with me by doing miracles for me and by keeping me from sin and from trouble in my life.  Lord, I just want to be a blessing to others and a good testimony of your faithfulness, love and power.”

FRESH TIMELY APPLICATION

This prayer should now be prayed by the church, as the whole body of Christ.  I believe God wants us to pray this prayer with an intensity and with pure motives, so that we, as Christ’s physical body on this earth, do not bring unnecessary pain to the unbeliever, but, like the early church, bring great joy, love and healing to a lost and hurting world.  We are clearly in a time of Kingdom Advancement.  It’s time to seize the moment.  It’s a window of opportunity that the church hasn’t seen in a very long time.

  1. LORD, BLESS US INDEED.  I believe there are huge material blessings coming very soon – a transfer of wealth – not for selfish reasons, but to help us fulfill the Great Commission.
  2. ENLARGE OUR TERRITORY.  God wants to increase our sphere of influence and promote us to preach the gospel of Jesus’ love and power – the gospel of the Kingdom.
  3. LET YOUR HAND BE WITH US.   God’s hand speaks of His power and healing anointing.  God will release a major healing anointing to activate faith in unbelievers, so He can reap His harvest.
  4. LORD, KEEP US FROM EVIL.  This can mean keeping us from sinning, as well as keep us from disasters or troubles.

But, the most important part of our prayer is declaring boldly our motives.  “Lord, we are not asking these things for selfish reasons.  We want to see revival.  We want resources to send many harvesters into your harvest field.  We want a platform to preach your gospel.  We want your miracles to attract the unbeliever and encourage every weary warrior.  We want to walk in a way that’s pleasing to you and without the distractions of unnecessary attacks.  We want to seek first your Kingdom and see Your name greatly glorified.  We want to see the knowledge of the glory of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.

May God give us one heart and soul to love and serve our God with all our heart – our motives – and with our whole being.   Blessings to all!!!

Ben and Brenda Peters