The Prayer of Jabez

Monday — Ask God to Bless You

Scripture

1 Chronicles 4:10
“Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me…’”

Psalm 5:11–12
“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy… For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.”

Devotional

Jabez began his prayer with a bold request: “Oh that you would bless me.”

At first glance, that might sound selfish. Should we really ask God to bless us? Scripture gives us an important answer: yes…but our motivation matters.

James 4:3 tells us that sometimes we ask and do not receive because we ask with the wrong motives. God does not call us to make Him the servant of our desires. We are called to serve Him and build His Kingdom.

But there is another side to this truth. We should never become so afraid of selfishness that we are afraid to ask God for His blessing altogether. Scripture tells us that God blesses His people and works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Ask God to bless your life so that your life can become a blessing to others. Ask Him to bless your family, your work, your relationships, your gifts, and your opportunities…not merely so that you can have more, but so that you can give more for His glory.

Don't ask selfishly, but don't be afraid to ask God to bless you as you seek to draw near to Him.

Reflect

  • What blessings has God already placed in my life?

  • Am I asking God to bless me primarily for myself or for His Kingdom?

  • How could God's blessing in my life become a blessing to someone else?

Prayer

Father, thank You for every blessing You have already given me. I ask You to bless my life…not so that I can simply have more, but so that I can serve You more faithfully. Help me use every blessing, gift, opportunity, and resource for Your glory. Amen.

 

Tuesday — Ask God to Expand Your Territory

Scripture

1 Chronicles 4:10
“...and enlarge my border…”

Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Devotional

Jabez asked God to enlarge his territory.

This prayer becomes meaningful when we understand that God has given each of us gifts, opportunities, and a calling. We should desire to operate in those gifts to the fullest extent possible for His glory.

Sometimes we pray small prayers because we have a small view of what God can do.  We say, “God, if You could…”  But our God is all-powerful.

1 John 5:14 reminds us that when we ask according to His will, He hears us.  Don't be afraid to ask God for greater opportunities to serve Him. Ask Him to expand your influence if that influence will point people toward Christ. Ask Him to open doors. Ask Him to give you opportunities to use your gifts. Ask Him to expand your territory…not for your name, but for His Kingdom.

Reflect

  • Where has God already given me opportunities to serve Him?

  • Is there an area where I have been thinking too small?

  • What would it look like for God to expand my “territory” for His Kingdom?

Prayer

Lord, enlarge my territory according to Your will. Open doors that will allow me to serve You and reach others. Give me greater opportunities to use the gifts You have given me. Expand my influence only as it brings glory to Your name. Amen.

 

Wednesday — Ask for God's Hand

Scripture

1 Chronicles 4:10
“...and that your hand might be with me…”

2 Corinthians 3:5
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.”

Proverbs 3:5–6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

Devotional

Jabez understood something important: greater opportunity requires greater dependence on God.  It isn't enough to ask God for blessing and expanded territory. We also need to ask for His hand to be with us. 

God's hand represents His strength, power, guidance, and provision.  Paul understood this. He knew that his ability did not come from himself. His sufficiency came from God.

We can easily fall into the trap of trying to accomplish God's purposes in our own strength. We can ask God to open doors and then try to walk through those doors without depending on Him.  But God's calling requires God's strength.

Take a moment today and honestly consider: How much of my life am I trying to live in my own strength and according to my own understanding?

God does not ask us to figure everything out on our own. He calls us to trust Him, acknowledge Him, and follow His direction.

When God's hand is with us, we don't have to depend on our own ability. We can move forward with confidence…not because we are sufficient in ourselves, but because our sufficiency is from Him.

Reflect

  • Where am I currently relying on my own strength?

  • Is there an area where I need God's guidance?

  • What would surrender look like for me today?

Prayer

Father, I need Your hand upon my life. Give me Your strength when I am weak, Your wisdom when I don't know what to do, and Your guidance when I cannot see the way forward. Help me trust You instead of relying on my own understanding. I surrender my plans, abilities, and future to You. Amen.

 

Thursday — Ask God for Protection

Scripture

1 Chronicles 4:10
“...and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!”

Matthew 6:13
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

1 Peter 5:8
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Devotional

Jabez didn't only pray for blessing and expanded territory. He also prayed for protection.  That's important because sometimes we become so excited about what God is doing that we forget to remain spiritually alert.

The Israelites experienced victory at Jericho, but their victories did not mean they were immune to failure. In Joshua 7–9, they experienced the consequences of Achan's sin and were later deceived by the Gibeonites.  They were possessing the Promised Land…and they still needed to stay alert.  The same is true for us.

God's protection isn't something we should think about only when we're afraid. Jesus Himself included protection in the Lord's Prayer: “Deliver us from evil.”

At the same time, praying for protection doesn't mean we have to live in fear.

Ephesians 6 reminds us that God has equipped His people with spiritual armor. We don't walk into spiritual battles terrified. We walk forward knowing that God has equipped us for what He has called us to do.

So pray for protection today…not from a place of fear, but from a place of dependence and confidence in God.

Reflect

  • Have I become spiritually careless in any area of my life?

  • Where do I need to be more watchful?

  • What does it mean for me to walk in God's protection without living in fear?

Prayer

Lord, protect me from evil and keep me from temptation. Help me remain spiritually alert when things are going well. Give me discernment to recognize the enemy's schemes and strength to stand firm. Thank You that I do not have to live in fear because You have equipped me, and You are with me. Amen.

 

Friday — Pray the Prayer of Jabez

Scripture

1 Chronicles 4:9–10

“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!’ And God granted what he asked.”

Devotional

This week we've walked through four simple requests:

Bless me.
Expand my territory.
Let Your hand be with me.
Keep me from harm.

Jabez didn't simply ask God for more. He asked God for blessing, Kingdom opportunity, God's presence and strength, and protection.

And then Scripture gives us this simple statement: “And God granted what he asked.”

What would happen if we approached God with that kind of faith and assurance?

Not faith that God will give us everything we want, but faith that God hears us, God is able, God is good, and God can accomplish His purposes through our lives.

Today, don't simply read Jabez's prayer.  Pray it.

Ask God to bless you for His glory. Ask Him to expand your territory for His Kingdom. Ask for His hand to guide and empower you. Ask Him to protect you as you move forward in what He has called you to do.  And then surrender the outcome to Him.

Reflect

Take a few moments with each request:

  • Bless me: God, where do I need Your blessing?

  • Expand my territory: Where are You calling me to step out?

  • Your hand be with me: Where do I need Your strength and guidance?

  • Protect me: Where do I need to become more spiritually alert?

Prayer

Father, I call upon You today. Bless me so that I can be a blessing. Expand my territory according to Your will so that I can advance Your Kingdom. Let Your hand be with me and give me the strength and guidance I need. Keep me from evil and protect me as I follow You. Help me live with faith, confidence, humility, and dependence upon You. I surrender my life and my plans to Your purposes. In Jesus' name, amen.