WHEN LIFE WAS UNFAIR, HE TURNED TO PRAYER! BY MARILYN ORTON Life was unfair to Jabez in many ways. To complicate things, every time someone said his name he was reminded that he was a pain. Can you imagine growing up with a name like “Pain?” But someone, somewhere, came into his life and taught him to pray. Jabez learned well for he is known exclusively for his prayer life. Probably because he did more of it than anyone else. Without his prayer he would be just another name in a long list of begets. With it, he captured God’s attention, and was elevated to a place of honor. He prayed a simple, yet profound prayer, small in content, but speaking volumes of wisdom: “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from evil so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 The value of the prayer is not in its words, but in the life of one man who prayed it. It is not a selfish prayer about things, but a personal one about receiving what God wants to give to everybody. The prayer of Jabez is a memorial to the grace and mercy of God who hears and answers prayer and has the power to change everything in the life of the disadvantaged and broken hearted. As you read the Scripture and focus on the simple prayer throughout each day, you will find that what God did for Jabez, He will also do for you. And it will be exceeding abundantly above all you can ever ask or think, according to His power at work in you. He has promised! (Eph. 3:20)
A SPECIAL EDITION OF THE SHEPHERDS WITHOUT BORDERS LIGHTHOUSE BUGLE MAGAZINE !!! MAY 1, 2012
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