The Prayer of Jabez

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 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.

 

            Not much is said in the Bible about this man, Jazez, who cried out to God to bless him. These two verses are the only mention of Jabez in the entire Bible. It makes you wonder why in the midst of a long line of genealogy that the Bible would stop here to mention this man, which no one knew anymore about. Could it be that God wanted us to know that despite how insignificant we may feel in life, that He will stop at any time to answer the prayers of His children?  

            Jabez…the name means pain. It seems that there was a reason in which his mother felt the need to name him this. Just as Jacob’s wife, Rachel, wanted to name Benjamin, Ben-oni (son of may sorrow) because she was dying when she had him, it seems to be a similar case here with Jabez. Genesis 35:18 As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-oni. But his father named him Benjamin. (NIV) Names were a significant part of whom the person was in the Bible and who they later became. Maybe this is why Jabez prayed this prayer because he did not want to fulfill the destiny that was associated with his name.

            He wanted God to bless him and not only bless him, but to make a noticeable difference in his life. He didn’t just ask God for the bare minimal. He wanted God to increase his territory greatly. What a bold prayer to pray? Some may have considered this to be a selfish prayer, but God obviously didn’t see it that way. It could have been that he also added the part of God’s hand being upon him to keep him from harm. Jabez didn’t want to live out the meaning of his name. He wanted a good life. He didn’t want the generational curse that could have befallen him and maybe his family because of the name that he bore. Jabez wanted to have a good life and to do that, he knew that he had to ask the one who Created all life and was in charge of his.

            Jabez is an example of how God showed him FAVOR. Yes, God did not let a precursor determine this man’s destiny. God showed that He was ultimately in charge. Jeremiah 29:11-14 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” Declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me an come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord…. (NIV) God is in control of our lives and it doesn’t matter what your background is because He has the final say.

            Do you feel that there is a generational curse over you and/or your family? Have things gone from bad to worse time and time again in your life? Do you feel that no matter what you try to do, nothing ever turns out right? Have the things from your past come to hunt you over and over again? Are the past mistakes of your life constantly playing before you like a movie marathon? There is hope!

            Just as Jabex prayed this prayer over his life and asked God to take away the effects of his name, you too can pray that God will remove demonic forces over you. Yes, whatever is a negative cycle in your life is an act of a demonic force. Satan’s job is to kill, steal and destroy, but God says that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. (Roman’s 8:1) God does not wish to condemn us, but to save us. Therefore, we can go boldly before the throne of Grace and ask Him for anything that our heart desires. This includes the removal of anything that the devil has planned as an attack over our lives. Pray the Jabez prayer over your life, and watch the devil have to FLEE. God loves you and be blessed.