There was an interesting article carried by the May 10th edition of The Korean Daily, Dallas Edition. Reverend Bruce Wilkinson, an Evangelist from Atlanta, wrote a book titled The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life, which sold over 410,000 copies in three months and became a best seller of USA Today, The New York Times, and Publisher’s Weekly. Dr. Wilkinson stated through his work that as long as we follow God’s will, we can ask for-and are entitled to receive-God’s blessing. It is true that when Christians excessively ask for God’s blessing, it can be construed as superstitious, shamanic, and selfish. But according to this book’s author, God’s traits tend to bless us on the generous side; and when we cannot receive God’s blessing-through our own inability to pray and ask for this blessing-it is entirely our own fault for failing to do so.

Over the past week, I read this book by Dr. Wilkinson. After reading this book, I learned something new about Jabez; further, I was able to confirm my belief that as long as our requests are not tied to carnal desires or sins, as Christians, our desire for God’s salvation is a spiritually healthy thing. Wilkinson argues that ‘The Prayer of Jabez’-a prayer that he learned from his professor at a theological seminary in Dallas, which he offered every day for 30 years- played a vital role in expanding his ministry, "Walk Thru the Bible Ministries," to over 40 nations world wide. Wilkinson’s book consists mainly of his personal confessions and confirmations; yet, the following parable left a particular impression on my mind. A man named Jones died and went to Heaven. Peter was guiding him through the various places in Heaven and they happened to pass along a strange looking building. It was a warehouse with no windows and one door that served as an entrance. After pleading with Peter, Jones was allowed to enter the warehouse and look at what was inside. The warehouse was full of shelves that extended from the floor to the ceiling; each shelf was stacked neatly with white boxes that were wrapped in red ribbons. Each of the boxes had a person’s name inscribed on it; therefore, Jones began looking hard for a box that carried his name. Peter did not wish for Jones to open up his box; however, Jones, unable to hold back, opened his box as soon as he found it. While Jones opened his box, Peter looked at him with great pity and regret. What had happened- Within the box Jones opened lay countless blessings that were earmarked for God to give to Jones; yet, since Jones had not asked for them, the blessings were not given to him. Through this story, Wilkinson argues that just as God stated through Matthew 7:7 "ask and you shall receive," if we do not ask for God’s blessing on earth, we will never receive them.

Then who was this Jabez and what was the content of his prayer- Jabez appears in perhaps the most insipid book of the Bible, the First Book of Chronicles. The first nine chapters of the Chronicles lists the family tree of Israel, from Adam to the 12 branches of the Israel family, an endless continuation of who beget who. In this family tree, over 500 names appear; Jabez belonged to the King’s David’s branch, the Jude Branch. However, Jabez’s family must not have been very influential or powerful, for it is not included with the royal family branch in chapter 3. Rather, Jabez’s family branch appears in chapter 4. The verse that we must pay particular attention to is the latter portion of verse 9, which states " his mother called his name Jabez, saying ‘Because I bore him in pain." The name Jabez means "causing pain," or "sadden," and it is important that his mother, and not his father, gave him his name. The many names in the Bible illustrate the lifelong fate of the individual. For example, the name James means, "one who nabbed the heel" or "grabber," and he intercepted blessings intended for Esser. Naomi names her two sons Mahlon and Chilion; Mahlon means "puny" or "weak," and Chilion means "pining" or "atrophying." As their names connoted, both men died at an early age (See Ruth 1: 1-5). Further, Solomon means "peace," and as his name predicted, Solomon became a king without ever having gone into a battle. If meanings of names are closely related to the fate of individuals bearing those names-and taking into account the fact that his mother, and not father, named him-we can surmise that perhaps Jabez was born a posthumous son; further, his mother may have gone through a difficult child birth and delivery, and Jabez himself may have been a cripple. Or perhaps a widowed mother, uncertain as to how she will nurture this baby, may have worried greatly about the baby’s future. Whatever the reason, we can deduce that through the meaning of his name alone, Jabez’s mother had great worries-and perhaps pains-at the time of his birth. However, God blessed this Jabez, who had a sorrowful birth and past, and made him honorable over his brothers. What was the secret to Jabez’ ascent from his meager past to blessed and noble future- The reason lies in his bold and audacious prayers. Then how did Jabez pray in order to receive such blessings-

First, Jabez asked for good fortunes, or blessings, from God.

Asking for a good fortune from God is not necessarily a bad thing. If we pray hard and become better off, it is a good thing. God’s true character likes to bless us. God wants His children to be healthy, successful, and victorious. Therefore, in Proverbs 10: 22, it is stated, "The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it." The real issue is not our attitude in asking for this good fortune from God; rather, the crux of the issue lies in how we manipulate this good fortune once we receive it from God. If we seek blessings to fulfill our selfish carnal desires, there is no meaning behind this blessing; however, the blessing that is used to glorify God and better our neighbors is infinitely good. Jabez discovered that his only responsibility is to ask for God’s blessing, leaving the rest up to God as to when and where he will receive this blessing. Jesus stated in Matthew 7: 7-8, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Since God is always willing to overfill us with His blessing, it is our responsibility to ask for His blessing. We cannot receive if we do not ask.

Second, Jabez asked God to expand his boundaries, or enlarge his territories.

Joshua’s conquest of Canaan and the subsequent distribution of land among the 12 branches of Israel can characterize the era in which Jabez lived in. From the times of the Old Testament to present day, for the people of Israel, land meant and still, to this day, means the life itself. For a piece of land, the people of Israel had to risk their lives and wage many wars throughout history. Expanding the borders, or territories, meant establishing a foundation from which they could survive and develop. Therefore, the prayer asking for expansion of territories is not a mere, selfish prayer based on greed; rather, it is a prayer designed to ask God for the opportunity to do greater things and bear additional responsibilities. If Jabez would have gone to Africa, he probably would have asked, "God, please expand my mission territory!" If Jabez would have worked in Wall Street, he would have asked "God, please let my stocks go up!" If he would have been a renter and not a home owner, he would have asked "God, let me live in a good house of my own to lead a more comfortable life!" If success is better than failure and affluence is better than poverty, for not only ourselves but for God and those around us, we can always-and justifiably-ask God to expand our territories. If such prayers are in accordance with God’s will, they will be granted. Wilkinson stated that when we ask God to expand our boundaries, we use the following calculation: My abilities + experience + training + my personality and appearance + my past + the expectations of other = my assigned territory. Quoting Zechariah 4: 6, which states "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubabbel; ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My spirit.’ says the Lord of hosts," Wilkinson introduces the following equation: "My willingness and weakness + God’s will and supernatural power = my expanding territory." If we ask, with our weaknesses and strength as it is, then God will provide us with necessary people, materiel, and resources to expand our boundaries and territories.

Third, Jabez asked for God to help him with His hand.

When we drive forth to achieve our goal, after asking God to expand our territories, we can expect difficult obstacles to block our way. The blessing we ask for is not some thing of miracle that drops out of the sky one day; rather, the blessing is given to us after we successfully, and with great perseverance, negotiate the obstacle. We need the faith that allows us to believe God’s hand is helping us. During the days of the Old Testament, God’s hand represents God’s work and presence that exist among the people whom He has chosen. (See Joshua 4: 22 and Isaiah 59: 1) In Acts 11: 21, "And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord." And God’s hand was responsible for the exponential growth of the early church. Because Jabez confirmed that the God’s hand must be with him in order for him to broaden his boundaries, he asked earnestly for God’s help. If we leave everything up to God, God will show us the path and allow us the method to realize our dreams.

Fourth, Jabez asked God to be freed from distress and worries.

No matter how hard we try to live according to God’s will, difficulties and tribulations always threaten us. Countless worries often engulf us. When God grants our wish of expanding our boundaries, we sometimes stumble or forget God. We sometimes see devout Christians, after receiving great blessings from God, become arrogant and ultimately get abandoned by those around them and God. Therefore, our blessings must be worry-less blessing and blessing full of love from God and those around us; our blessings must never become distorted through jealousy and envy. Through his own confession, Wilkinson explains Jabez’s prayer as follows. Wilkinson, after a very tiring trip, boarded an airplane. He was on the verge of collapse, from countless lectures and sermons that he had given during his trip. Discovering that he was at his mental and physical limits, he offered the prayer of Jabez to God. "O Lord, I have no resistance left against sin. I’m completely worn out in Your service. I can’t cope with temptation. Please keep evil far from me today." Wilkinson happened to be sitting in the middle of the row; to his left, a man was reading a pornographic magazine. Wilkinson, being a pastor, breathed a sigh of disapproval and turned his head the other way. When the plane took off, the young man sitting to his right took out an obscene skin magazine from his bag and began flipping through it. He was in a quagmire, unable to turn his head either way. Wilkinson then closed his eyes and began reciting the prayer of Jabez. "Lord, I can’t cope with this today. Please chase this evil away!" Shortly after Wilkinson offered this prayer, the young man to his right folded up his magazine and put it away. Then the man sitting to his left, after seeing what the man sitting to the right of Wilkinson had done, followed suit. Wilkinson started laughing, amazed at what just happened this high up in the air. The two men sitting at either side of Wilkinson, awe struck by his sudden laughter, asked why he was laughing. Wilkinson stated, "Gentlemen, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you!" We must always be on alert and offer constant prayers to God, even when we think we are strong. Only then will we be able to keep God’s blessing as a beautiful gift.

Jabez had an unfortunate birth. But he offered a very special prayer to God. God, upon hearing his prayer, allowed him overflowing blessings. Jabez, who became more honorable than any of his brothers and contemporaries, became a famous scholar of his day. Let’s pray in the name of our Lord that when we offer the prayer of Jabez, all of us can receive God’s countless blessing. Amen.