Daily Wisdom 06-22-2001 The Prayer of Jabez

In his book, The Prayer of Jabez, Dr. Bruce Wilkinson explains a little fable about a Mr. Jones who dies and goes to heaven. St. Peter greets him at the gates and asks the guest if he would like a tour. Together they marvel at the streets paved with gold, beautiful mansions and magnificent choirs singing. However, Mr. Jones notices an odd-looking building which had no windows and only one door. He asks to see inside but St. Peter hesitates, explaining, "You really don't want to go in there."Mr. Jones is quite concerned and ponders the question, "Why would there be secrets in heaven?" He gets enough courage and again asks to go inside the structure.

Finally, St. Peter relents, opens the door and Mr. Jones almost knocks the apostle over in his haste to enter. The building is huge filled row after row with shelves, floor to ceiling, each stacked neatly with white boxes tied in red ribbons. Each box had a name on it and very quickly, Mr. Jones found the "J" aisle and his very own box.

St. Peter frowns in disbelief. Mr. Jones had already taken the red ribbon off his box and popped the lid. Looking inside, he instantly recognized Peter's dilemma. He lets out a sigh for inside his white box were all the blessings that God wanted to give to him while he was on earth...but he had never asked. He reminisced on the famous passage Jesus had promised, "Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" (Matthew 7:7-8).In his book, Dr. Wilkinson explains that Jabez, in I Chronicles 4:9, was a desperate victim of painful situations: that is what his name, Jabez, meant. He prayed a prayer that changed his life completely 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.

If only our friend, Mr. Jones would have prayed the prayer of Jabez. His life would have been much fuller and more meaningful. I have heard many complain that God has given them only bitterness and sorrow. When I hear their stories, I agree that their life is quite desperate and their legacy is but a liability. God has withdrawn from their account more than what they actually own--their life is in receivership! But God's grace and bounty is only limited by us! Jabez was blessed because he refused to let his past be a hindrance to what God's goodness is promised. God's nature is to bless despite our failures.

Wilkinson concludes, "What counts is - knowing who you want to be and asking God for it by daily using - the prayer of Jabez."

A suggested prayer:"God, 'Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory (horizons), that Your hand would be with me,and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!' God, I am sorry for the bitterness I have carried for such a long time. Remove it and help me to live for You. Amen!"

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