The Prayer of Jabez

“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. (1 Chronicles 4:9-10 N.I.V)

The prayer of Jabez can be likened to a formula for success:

1. We should be honorable: free of all trespasses: principled in our conduct, right with God and others. Obedience to God is the most important duty of man.
2. No matter what our circumstances are, we can rise above them. Jabez rose above the pain of his life situation.
3. Our help comes from Our God; the omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient and Jehovah El Roi; the one who sees and cares for even the lowest of us all.
4. God always listens to our passionate prayers, and gives us what we need.
5. We always need the hand of God to protect us from pain and temptations. Without the Lord being on our side, all that we acquire will not be blessed and may indeed keep us from eternal promises.

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Success is more permanent when you achieve it without destroying your principles.  ~Walter Cronkite

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