Pray the Prayer of Jabez

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NKJV)
Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers,
and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain".
And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying,
Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!
So God granted him what he requested.

Reflection:

You may not have heard of Jabez as a Bible Character. He's not famous like the Patriarchs, the prophets or the apostles but his life is worth studying and learning from.

Jabez?

Jabez is Hebrew word which means PAIN, SORROW or TROUBLE (Source: Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary). During those times your name is what you are (e.g. Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, and many more) which means Jabez was pre-destined or "called" by his own mother to be a PAIN to others. Can you imagine how disappointing that is when people dread you because you might cause them pain? How about you? What have you been called to do?

How did Jabez react?

Jabez did not allow his name to dictate how he would live his life. He cried to the Lord to change his destiny and God granted him what he requested.

PRAYER OF JABEZ Defined

Bless me Indeed = In Bible translations, INDEED means there's no hint of disbelief! This prayer is not the usual request for blessing but a fervent request with strong faith that it will happen.
Enlarge my Territory = In those times, when you have a larger territory then you're more powerful than the rest. This prayer is asking God for Expansion of your Influence and Success financially, in your work life and in your personal life.
That your Hand be with me = This prayer is asking God to lead us in everyway everyday. It's a declaration that we cannot continue living without his Hand guiding us.
Keep me from Evil = This is where we denounce all the negative things other people have said and confessed against us. This is where we depend on God to be kept from evil. This is where we focus our minds on what He's saying and not what others are saying.

WHAT IS THE LORD TELLING US

People may have named and called you immature, childish, stupid, idiot, dumb or any bad thing from the past. It may or may not be true, it doesn't matter. You can do what Jabez had done. Don't allow others to dictate what will happen in your life. Cry to the Lord and pray the PRAYER of Jabez and GOD will grant your request as he has answered Jabez.

God Bless you!