1 Chronicles 4:9-10
1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (HCSB)
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez and said, “I gave birth to him in pain.”
Jabez called out to the God of Israel: “If only You would bless me, extend my border, let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm, so that I will not cause any pain.” And God granted his request.
Painful beginnings
• Jabez – from the Hebrew word “jazeb” meaning “he causes pain.”
o A name given during the pain of birth
o A reputation that never goes away
The source of life change
• Jabez prayed to the “God of Israel.”
o Only God has the power to transform a life
o By God’s power Jabez could be known for more than causing pain
• Jabez acknowledged God’s rightful place in his life
o At the center
o Lord over all
Praying big
• God’s blessings
o Acknowledge that God is the “source” of all blessing
James 1:17
James 1:17 (HCSB)
Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.
o Ask God to bless every area of your life
• Enlarging of territory
o Acknowledges that God owns it all
Psalm 50:10-12
Psalm 50:10-12 (HCSB)
…for every animal of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and everything in it is Mine.
• Ask God to enlarge your territory
o Influence in the lives of others
o Favor with those around you
- Continual presence of God
o Acknowledging God’s presence in everything that you do
Matthew 28:20b
Matthew 28:20b (HCSB)
And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age
o Ask God to make you keenly aware of His presence in every situation
- Protection from evil and harm
o Acknowledging that the enemy is always looking for opportunities to bring strife and harm
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.
- Ask God to shelter you from all attacks
- Ask God to thwart all that the enemy means for harm
A God sized response to God sized requests
- God granted Jabez his request
- We often miss out, because we are not praying under the leadership of the Holy Spirit
Are you praying big????
