Jabez called upon God

How Big Prayers are Answered

Many years ago, I discovered this verse: “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested” (1 Chronicles 4:10, KJV.)
And I preached it in a little country church Maryland’s Eastern Shore. I remember how blessed the people were by hearing it.
Not too long afterward, a book about Jabez became very popular, which blessed the Body of Christ all around the world.
With this book, I want to share my thoughts of this curious character, whose life story almost seems obscured in two verses in the middle of chapters upon chapters of what we may consider boring lists of endless genealogical data.
But it is precisely because of this that the truth of Jabez shines so bright.
Some people pray “the prayer of Jabez” every day. I do not. But I do know that as part of the broader revelation of God to man in Scripture, his story, and his prayer will strengthen our own lives.
Like Jabez, you too can come out of obscurity, come out of a life that seems just average and perhaps even dreadful, to a life of honor, power, and victory.
Call upon the God of Israel – what He did for Jabez, He will also do for you.