Week 11 - Tim White - The Prayer of Jabez

Tim discusses the "Prayer of Jabez," which is found in 1 Chronicles 4:10, noting that it serves as a model for bold and vulnerable prayer.

The background and pieces of the prayer are explored as follows:

• Jabez's Background: Jabez is mentioned only three times in the Bible, and his name, which means "he causes pain," suggests he may have had a difficult birth or origin. Despite these origins, he overcame his circumstances to become an honorable man who possessed a notable relationship with God.

• The Four Components of the Prayer: The speaker breaks down the scripture into four distinct requests:

  1. Blessing: Jabez asks for God's blessing, which the speaker explains is a request for abundance intended to allow the individual to be a blessing to others.

  2. Influence: By asking God to enlarge his territory, Jabez sought to increase his influence in the world, trusting God to open the necessary doors.

  3. Presence: Jabez asks that God’s hand be with him, which the speaker describes as a way to acknowledge the need for God’s presence rather than relying on one's own strength.

  4. Protection: The final request is for God to keep him from harm, ensuring protection while working to influence the world for God's glory.

• Conclusion: Tim emphasizes that this prayer is not selfish or greedy, but rather a selfless request for God’s provision and presence to help others and bring glory to Him.