"The Prayer for Blessings"

 Is it wrong to feel blessed? The Bible talks about being meek, humble, pure hearted,… I think we need to look closer at what God’s blessing means. His blessing revolves around the words “heart” and commitment”. Are we being faithful to God? Look again at the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5 – there is a role or obedient step that we take and God blesses it. So, should we pray for God to bless us? A great prayer is found in the middle of the first nine chapters of genealogies in first Chronicles. The writer stops to tell us about a man called Jabez. The circumstances of pain surrounding Jabez life leads to his prayer.

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”. - 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

3 Blessings Jabez Asks For:

1. “Oh, that You would enlarge my Territory!”
What does “territory” mean, and where is mine is the first question we need to ask. I don’t think it has to be a location. It can be a request to enlarge your influence, ministry, service, and a larger and new life Christ Jesus!

2. “Oh, that Your in our hand would be with me!”
God’s “hand upon me” is the indwelling and filling of the Holy Spirit… What keeps me from experiencing God’s hand? To make a breakthrough we must identify what misconceptions we have that hold us back. We must transform from being “My Way” to “God’s Way” people.

3. “Oh, that You would keep me from harm and free from pain”
Most harm, temptation, and evil come from one of two ways – Others or Self-inflicted. We can fight evil and temptation with God’s help, What if you asked God for His protection?
Jabez declares in his request - “The pain stops here!”

What do you do with this prayer? I challenge you to pray for enlarged Territory and Influence, to be Spirit Filled, and God’s Protection. Pray this every day and watch carefully for the doors the Lord will open for you!
Amen?