Prayer of Jabez

1 Ch. 4:9-10

Introduction

• Jabez is one of the Bible’s “notable unknowns”• What will we learn about him

that will help us live a more godly life?

• Little is known of him• He is known as a man of prayer

and his prayer of simplicity and directness is worthy of our study• Let us consider some things

about Jabez and his prayer!

I. The importance of one’s character

• Jabez was “honorable”• Good and honorable men and

women are long remembered

Proverbs 10:7

• The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Ps. 112:6

• Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance

The qualities of true “honor”

• 1. up-rightness in dealing with others

1 Pet. 2:12

• Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

• 2. There must be deep respect for God• “In the truest sense an

‘honorable man’ is a man of God; one marked by constant association with God”

Eccl. 12:13

• Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

II. The great influence of a mothers care

• The birth of Jabez was in sorrow – but the details are not given• Whatever the sorrow was, it did

not keep his mother from training him in the right way and planting a love for God deep in his heart

2 Tim. 1:5

• When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

III. The greatness of a steadfast spiritual life

• Jabez was a spiritual person• He entrusted his entire life to God• He desired that God would richly

bless him in every way• He challenges us to trust in God

and to be faithful

1 Cor. 15:58

• Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

IV. The Prayer of Jabez

• 1. It was addressed to God

Mt. 6:6-9

• But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly…

• But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them:…

• for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

• 2. His prayer was specific• He knew what he was praying for

and he asked with earnestness and zeal

Js. 4:3

• Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

• 3. He asked for blessings• We must never stop asking for

God’s blessings• Let us ever continue to ask God

for his divine favors

• 4. He prayed for prosperity• Here we find Biblical support for

asking God to help us in material blessings

Mt. 6:11

• Give us this day our daily bread.

3 Jn. 2

• Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

• 5. It was a prayer for God’s guidance• This would naturally come after

asking for blessings from God• We need God’s guidance in using

what he has blessed us with

• 6. It was a prayer for safety and purity• He did not ask to be kept from all

sorrows in life• “He did request that God would

keep him from the effects of evil in his life!”

Lessons

• 1. Prayer offered with the right spiritual attitude is never offered in vain• 2. Happiness results from faithful

praying

• 2. Everything in life should be taken to God in prayer!• Every detail of earthly life should

be included in our prayers to God – even those things we might think are unimportant