I don't remember the year I prayed the prayer, but I remember very clearly the moment. I was sitting at the kitchen table in my house on Robin Road, and I had just finished reading Bruce Wilkinson's little book called "The Prayer of Jabez." It had such a profound effect on me that I immediately said the prayer and looked out the window to the world around me. I just recently picked up that little book again, and I am convinced that when I said that prayer, God put into motion a plan that was so big, it would take years for it to reach it's full potential. This is the prayer I said:
"Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" 1 Chronicles 4:10
If you turn to Chronicles in the Bible, you will find yourself reading a long list of names that are the genealogy of Israel. After the forty-fourth name the list stops and there is a paragraph devoted to a man named Jabez. It says that Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and Jabez's mother gave him that name because it meant pain. We don't know what kind of pain she experienced, but a name back in those days could determine their future. Jabez was given a weak name, and he could have just wallowed in self pity his entire life. He did not. He said a powerful prayer asking God to enlarge his territory (have an influence on those around him), and bless him (mark his life with miracles), and keep him from evil (don't fall into temptation). The last part of the verse says, "God granted his request."
I think what we see here today in this blog is God granting my request. I said that prayer over and over as I jogged the streets of my neighborhood. I wanted to count for something, and I wanted to be a light for God. It did not happen over night, but when it did happen it was more than I could have ever imagined. As I read this book again, I thought about my old neighborhood and the people who read this blog. I have prayed for them for years, and now I can say what is truly on my heart through this site. I also have a new neighborhood, and there are many families that read this site. God enlarged my territory not only through my neighbors, but the La Verne community and beyond!
When we ask for God's blessing, like Jabez, and then put our trust in Him to provide it on His terms, we should just step back and watch God's power at work. It gets exciting!
In Matthew 7:7 Jesus says "Ask, and it will be given unto you. You do not have because you do not ask."
With this prayer comes responsibility and challenges. We are all human, and sometimes we fall short of God's desire for our life. But, if you truly have a heart for God, then He will step into your ordinary life and make something extraordinary happen. He is waiting for you to ask. I asked, and I don't regret it for one minute. When I think of all that has happened this past year, and how God's light has shined, I am in awe. I am excited to see what He is going to come up with next, because I am still saying the prayer! I want to live even larger!
If you have ever wanted to make a difference in this world; leave a footprint behind. I really encourage you to seek out this wonderful book on Jabez. It is only 93 pages, and the book is small, but it is packed with powerful insight into a God that just wants to bless you.
By the way, I shared with Jon that I had picked up this book again after so many years. I was surprised to hear him say that he puts a coin in his pocket every morning that has the prayer of Jabez on it! I think that explains a lot about my wonderful husband and his commitment to God in this battle we are in.
Prayerfully Yours,
Sandy
