40 Days of Prayer - Day 14

Journey of Prayer

Day 14

Thursday January 21, 2021

Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it would not pain me!” And God granted him what he requested. 1 Chronicles 4:10

What Chris said about sometimes being hesitant to ask God to bless her totally resonated with me. Growing up I believed that that I didn’t have the right to ask God for too much for myself - that was selfish. I felt I I wasn’t worthy to ask for anything special from God. I was just to be grateful for what I had. But Sister, in Hebrews we are told to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7)

God wants us to ask Him for what we need the way Jabez did. In our spotlight verse, Jabez was praying for God's favor over his life. He was being bold asking God to bless him and “enlarge his borders” (his influence and his wealth). God saw into Jabez’s heart. He knew that Jabez felt insecure because his mother had given him a name that means “because he caused me pain (during childbirth).” Imagine that every time your mother called your name, she was saying that you cause her pain. Jabez was living with an unintended generational curse. In the NKJV, Jabez’s prayer is, “...and that [God] would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” Deep down, he was terrified that he might hurt someone. This fear was keeping him from becoming all that God wanted him to be. So, God answered his prayer and broke the curse that his mother had unknowingly put on him. God freed Jabez to live an abundant life. And that gift is ours as well. He came to give us life, life abundant. (John 10:10) We get to decide which side of that comma that we live on.

God is ready to freely provide everything we need “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”(Philippians 4:19). Like Jabez, this includes things we need personally so that we can fully live the life that He has called us to live. It also includes what we need to help others and expand the Kingdom for His glory. (self-confidence, new skills, boldness, more faith, opportunity, resources, provision, etc.)

Don’t be afraid to ask God for BOLD prayers, to “enlarge [your] border.” When our BIG prayers are answered, He gets all the glory. You are a child of the Living God. He has called you to minister to others and to be there for them. Say what God prompts you to say and be the vessel that carries God’s blessing to others. He would never put you in a situation that He has not already equipped you to handle in His name. God will provide you with the inspiration, the spiritual and natural blessings, and all the supplies that you need to accomplish what He has called you to do - whether it seems ordinary or BIG!

Thank you, Lord, that we can come to You and ask for what we need. Thanks, too, that if we aren’t sure what to ask for, that the Holy Spirit expresses our needs for us. You are the God Who always provides. Please remove the hesitancy from us and let us come boldly before your throne knowing that you freely supply all our needs! In Jesus’ Name and for the Father's glory. Amen

For further reading: Psalm 18:32-36; James 4:2; James 1:5; Romans 8:26; John 5:14