1 Chronicles 4:9-10
The prayer of Jabez might be overlooked
because it is located within a “dry mass of dead
names” found in 1 Chronicles 1-9
Bruce Wilkinson wrote The Prayer of Jabez in
2000 which started a religious marketing
phenomenon (website, clothing, mugs, etc.)
What can we learn from this brief biography …
the four petitions of Jabez’ prayer?
Some difficulty surrounding his birth caused his
mother to name him “Jabez” (he causes pain);
yet, Jabez was “more honorable” (a man of
weight) than his brethren
People who come from past difficulties and
hardships can live honorably in the sight of God
 Repent of the past (Lk. 15:17ff; 1 Cor. 6:9-11)
 Forget the past (Phil. 3:13-14)
 Be different from the past (Acts 17:11)
The honorable life was a life of prayer
(Phil. 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:17-18)
Jabez prayed for specific things; he prayed with
boldness and confidence in God
The first petition: “bless me…”
Jabez asked to be blessed by God
We need to ask God to bless us physically
(Phil. 4:19; Jas. 1:17) and spiritually (Acts 3:26;
Eph. 1:3)
The second petition: “enlarge my border…”
Jabez was not making a selfish, covetous
request (Jas. 4:3), but a request for the promise
of God’s land inheritance (Ex. 34:24;
Deut. 12:20; 19:8; Isa. 26:15)
We need to ask God to “enlarge” what he
promises Christians: opportunities, talents,
service, responsibilities, etc.
The third petition: “thy hand might be with me…”
Jabez asked God for his providential hand of
protection and guidance (Ezra 7:9)
We need to ask God to providentially protect
and guide us through life (Psa. 37:23-24;
119:173; Jn. 10:28; 1 Pet. 5:6-7)
The fourth petition: “keep me from evil…”
Jabez asked God to be kept from the evil which
leads to sorrow (Prov. 23:29; Gal. 6:9)
We need to ask God to keep us from…
Evil influences (Deut. 31:20; 32:15; Prov. 30:8-9)
The evil one (Mt. 6:13; Jn. 17:15)
Evil knowledge (Rom. 16:19)
Evil works of men (2 Thess. 3:2; 2 Tim. 4:18;
2 Pet. 2:5-9)
God Answers Prayer
“And God granted that which he requested”
(1 Chron. 4:10)
God stands ready to hear and answer the
honorable follower (Mt. 7:7-11; Eph. 3:20;
1 Jn. 5:14-15)
God gave Jabez blessing rather than sorrow