Pray First: Pt 3 - The Prayer of Jabez
What if the biggest obstacle in our lives isn't our problems, but the fact that we don't have anything bigger than our problems? This profound message explores the prayer of Jabez, a man whose name literally meant 'pain,' yet who refused to let his painful identity define his destiny. Found tucked away in 1 Chronicles among 600 names, Jabez stands out because he prayed differently—not focusing on his trauma, but on God's blessings. His four-part prayer model teaches us to ask for blessing, enlarged territory, God's presence, and protection from harm. What's remarkable is that Scripture tells us God granted his request. This isn't just ancient history; it's a blueprint for how we can pray when we're hurting. Instead of being defined by our worst moments, addictions, or tragedies, we can claim the new name God has given us. The challenge before us is clear: will we pull God down to the smallness of our lives, or will we lift our faith up to the bigness of who God is? When we understand that prosperity means having more than we need so we can make an eternal difference in others' lives, and that ministry is simply living our faith for the benefit of others, we begin to see our calling differently. We're not meant to be footnotes in history but active participants in God's kingdom work, empowered by His anointing to live supernatural lives that only He could take credit for.
Let us pray for you: