Sermon Central
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The Power Of Prayer - The Man Jabez
Contributed by Nelson Emeonu on Jul 23, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: A correction can be made in ones foundation through a greater force - prayer. One's destiny can be fought for and recovered by the power and mercy of God.
THE POWER OF PRAYER - THE MAN JABEZ
Life a times may cause pain. When one recognises himself, then he can think what lies ahead of him. A correction can be made in ones foundation through a greater force - prayer. One's destiny can be fought for and recovered by the power and mercy of God. A good result in life can come out of provocation( When one is challenged and provoked in his situation). This can be seen in the life of Hannah, David against Goliath and Blind Bartimeus.
“And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that thy hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it be not to my sorrow! And God granted him that which he requested”
The story is all about Jabez, who discovered that he was out of the original plan of God in creation and for him.He corrected his life and obtained a good future through prayer .
Things to Note
a. Jabez in Hebrew means " Pain'
b. An identity or Destiny was swallowed as a result of life experience
c. He was just a label, not a personality
d. Once it came out from the mouth, it remained so
e. A history can be made in the midst of endless genealogies
(He was not remembered for physical achievements, just prayer)
What is Prayer?
It is the yearning of our Spirit, longing for fellowship and communication to God. It is our dialogue with Him. It is a channel by which our requests are made known to God. He answers prayer.
WHY WAS GOD HAPPY WITH JABEZ PRAYER & REMEMBERED IN GENERATIONS. FOUR THINGS HE PRAYED FOR:
1. BLESSING FROM GOD
He never asked man to bless him but connected to the original Blesser- God who did it for his forefather, Abraham. (Genesis 12:2)
When you pray for Divine blessing, believe that He had blessed people ahead of you. He has done it before.
The purpose of the blessing is for you to be a blessing.
He remembered Jacob asking God to bless him indeed – (Gen 32:26)
God is still in the business of blessing people
a. God blessed our first parents - Genesis 1:28, 5:2
b Noah and His sons - Genesis 9:1
c. Ishmael - Genesis 17:20
d. Abraham - Genesis 24:1
e. Isaac - Genesis 25:11; 26:12, When one is blessed, it is not hidden (Genesis 26:29)
2. ENLARGEMENT FROM GOD
This was the second prayer of Jabez. He was from the tribe of Judah.
Prayer is answerable for a good motive. He was praying for others. An enlargement for others. He asked for bigger things.
3. HAND OF GOD
When the hand of God is upon him, the first and second requests above would be taken of.
When the hand of God is in your life, mountains skip.
His hand makes impossible dream realizable.
Ezekiel saw his hand – (Ezekiel 37: 1)
4. COMPLETE DEPARTURE FROM EVIL
This was the greatest of all the prayers. Once evil is found in a life, it swallows the three mentioned prayers (Isaiah 59:1-2)
He knew his name
He had caused pain
But do not want to cause more to himself or any other.
The greatest causes of pain is SIN
a. Reuben had pain because of Sin(Genesis 49:3-4)
b. Jacobs sons had pain because they sinned against Joseph-
c. Pharaoh – (Exodus 10:17)
d. Samson- (Judges 16:20)
Check how painful it was for God because man was in sin – (Gen 6:5-6)
Sin caused God real pain, even at the cross
Sin strips one naked and stops the flow of God’s blessings.
God is still in the business of blessing his children. Go to Him in prayer amd He will lift you up! Amen
