Prayer of a Normal Man

James 5:17-20 ⁽¹⁷⁾Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. ⁽¹⁸⁾Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. ⁽¹⁹⁾My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, ⁽²⁰⁾remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (NIV)

      There was once a man who lived upright in the sight of God. He had other brothers who were a part of his family, but God considered him as being more righteous than they were. During the days of old, a man was known to live out the name that was given to him. Therefore, due to the fact that his mother named him Jabez, that meant that he would have a lifetime of pain. Nevertheless, Jabez did not want to live up to his name. He knew that this name would forever brand him. Therefore, he called out to the One who could change his circumstances.

        “Oh Lord, if only You would bless me. Please increase my territory; place Your hand of protection over me and keep me from harm.” Jabez prayed this sincere prayer to God and his request was granted. He was a normal man with an unusual request due to being named something that he had no control over. However, he had faith in God that despite what his family called him, God had the final say. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 ⁽⁹⁾Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” ⁽¹⁰⁾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. (NIV)

        The Apostle James lets us know that we do not have to have a title to come before the Almighty God. Just as Elijah requested that God would withhold rain from the earth, we too can make our request known before God. Jesus also let us know that we can make request to God and He will answer. Matthew 7:7-8 ⁽⁷⁾ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁽⁸⁾For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (NIV) God loves to give good things to His children when they are faithful to Him. He wants us to talk to Him and tell Him what we stand in need of. 

        Does God already know what we need? Yes, He does. However, even though God is all-knowing, He still wants us to have an open line of communication with Him. Nothing is too great or too small for us to ask God for. No one is too great or too small to put in a request. All we have to do is come with a sincere heart, make sure we are not holding any grudges against anyone, and God will answer our prayer. Mark 11:23-25 ⁽²³⁾“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. ⁽²⁴⁾Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ⁽²⁵⁾And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. ” (NIV) What are you trusting God for? Ask, believe and claim that it will be done.