THE PRAYER OF JABAZ

“There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.” – 1 Chronicles 4:10.

There are many characters in the Bible that we might, wrongly perhaps, skip over as not being particularly important; they don’t come across as heroes like Samson or Esther; they aren’t great Kings like David or Solomon; they weren’t vital to the life and story of Jesus like Mary. But some of these often-overlooked characters can be significant in other ways, showing us and teaching us something important through their lives, what happened to them, and how other people engaged with them. One of these is Jabaz.

Jabez is only mentioned in a few verses of scripture and is known for his prayer mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:10. In verse 9, he’s described as “more honorable than any of his brothers.”   This simple prayer is a great model for all of us. When we pray for God’s blessings, we shouldn’t just ask for more stuff or better circumstances for ourselves. We should also ask that God use us as a blessing to bless others. Jabez also asks for God’s protection. He recognized there were dangers in this world and that he needed God’s help to stay safe. It’s important to remember that God is always with us and that we can trust Him to protect us, no matter what comes our way.

 Jabez appreciated God’s power completely and understood the power of prayer. With unwavering faith, Jabez placed this entire matter in God’s hands—and there are no more reliable, capable, or powerful hands than those of our sovereign God. In the final sentence of 1 Chronicles 4:10, we learn that God granted Jabez’s prayer: “And God granted him his request.”

We know that God is sovereign. God is above all things and before all things. He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. He is present everywhere so that everyone can know Him. God created all things and holds all things together, both in heaven and on earth. That being the case, God will listen to our petitions through prayer.

Jabez is an example of a person who lived a life of faith and trust in God despite his challenges and difficulties. His prayer reminds us that we can turn to God in prayer and ask for His blessings, protection, and guidance in our lives, no matter our circumstances.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on Jabaz’s prayer?
2. How does this prayer have application in our lives?