Dear God, Part 5: The Prayer of Jabez

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

The Prayer of Jabez: 1 Chronicles 4:9–10
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.

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel.

you pray to !

A Four-fold Prayer

Oh, that you would me…

my territory….

Let your hand be …

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
          Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here…” – Exodus 33:14-15

Keep me from so that I will be .

This verse contains textual variance:

“ …keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” NIV
“ …keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” ESV

“…keep me from harm, so that I will not cause any pain” (HCSB)
“…keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” (NKJV)

Would you accept the challenge of praying this prayer every day for 7 days?

Small Group Questions

1. What was the weirdest thing you did in high school or college?
2. Have you ever heard of The Prayer of Jabez before? What’s your first impression of the prayer?
3. Why is it important to understand the destination of your prayers?
4. Look at each of the four phrases listed in the prayer and the outline. What are you specifically praying, in each of the sections, for your own life right now?
5. Why is it important to add the request “may I not cause pain” to the idea of “may I be free from pain”?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?