1. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

2. 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?

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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.

7. 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)

8. 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)

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