Learning From The Prayer of Jabez

Brian Priebe | Executive Pastor | July 09, 2023

Prayer is talking to God

“The sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer and Dishan. The sons of Lotan: Hori and Homam. Timna was Lotan’s sister. The sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. The son of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran and Keran. The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan and Akan. The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.” 1 Chronicles 1:38-42 (NIV)

“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, ‘I gave birth to him in pain.’ Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.” 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NIV)

Jabez prays 1st: “Oh, that you would bless me.”

Jabez prays 2nd: “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!”

Our Math: My abililites + my experiences + my training + my personality + my hard work + my expectations = my impact

God’s Math: My willingness + My availability + My weakness + God’s work = My impact

Jabez prays 3rd: “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me”

“He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful.” Joshua 4:24a (NIV)

“The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” Acts 11:21 (NIV)

Jabez prays 4th: “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm”

“And God granted his request.”

Reflection Questions:
1) Describe your prayer life as it is today and where you would like to see it grow.

2) Read 1st Chronicles 4:9-10. Jabez prays to be blessed, to expand his territory, to have God’s hand upon him and to be kept from harm/evil. Discuss what those mean and how they apply to you.

3) Spend time praying through each of the four components of Jabez’s prayer as a group or in smaller groups.

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Notes Page: https://journeyweb.net/sermons/notes/2023.07.09.pdf