InstaEncouragements Building a worldwide online community of encouragers encouraging others in the faith of Jesus Christ. Join the movement!
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Etsy Shop
    • Christianity
  • Blog
    • Guest Bloggers
    • IE Link-up
    • The ABCs of God's Love Letter
    • She Loves Truth
    • Hey Mama! PRAY
    • Seeking Him
    • Aging With Grace
    • Choosing Gratitude
  • Library
    • 16 Names of God
    • Bible Reading Plan
    • The ABCs Study Guide
    • The ABCS Bible Study
    • Disciple Me Program
    • Come and Gather
    • She Loves Truth Guide
    • She Loves Truth Study
    • The Red Sea Rules
    • Praying Proverbs
    • 12 Letters I Wrote
    • Christmas Songbook
    • LOVE Coupons
  • The Heart That Heals
    • Read Chapter 1 of The Heart That Heals
    • The Heart That Heals Media Package
    • The Heart That Heals printable package
  • Sweeter Than Honey
    • Sweeter Than Honey Media Package
  • 16 Names of God
TDGC shop now banner

Sweeter Than Honey: The Prayer of Jabez

10/5/2021

10 Comments

 
Sweeter Than Honey: The Prayer of Jabez
What if we spent a few quiet moments with God each morning? What if we were intentional about making time for it? What if we committed to doing that all year long and by the year’s end we found that we had read the entire Bible!?

How many times, on January 1, have you committed to reading the Bible from cover to cover in a year? I have made that commitment too many times to count, and I have failed too many times to admit.

​A few years ago though, I used a one-year, chronological order of book authorship, Bible Reading Itinerary.

Did you know that Genesis was not the first book of the Bible written? While plans like this vary somewhat, because it is simply impossible to put an exact date on some books of the Bible, the plan I used begins with the book of Job.

​Sweeter Than Honey is a 365-day devotional journey ​that leads the reader
​through God's Word ​in chronological order of book authorship.

Sweeter Than Honey banner
Available at Amazon [Paperback | Kindle]
Let me introduce you to Sweeter Than Honey, friend. It is patterned after that Bible Reading Itinerary.

On Tuesdays, now through the end of the year, I would love it if you and I could take a trip through Sweeter Than Honey together! I'd also like to encourage you to Join us over at the private, Sweeter Than Honey Facebook group and share your thoughts. You'll find like-minded, Christian friends there. Let’s do this! Come join us as we move through the book and God's Word together.

We're waiting for you!

​1 Chronicles 4-6: The Prayer of Jabez

Today, we are reading through lists of genealogy and finding interesting tidbits of information about certain characters of that time. To me, the most interesting part of this passage is the part about Jabez. This is the only mention of Jabez in the Bible. I remember years ago reading a book called The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson. That book, and Jabez’s prayer, made an impression on my life. I am glad to have the opportunity to look at his prayer with fresh eyes again today.
“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that You would bless me and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!’ And God granted what he asked.” (1 Chronicles 4:9-10)
Let’s take a look at four different requests Jabez makes in his prayer, recorded in verse 10, and see how we can benefit from praying that same prayer today:
  1. “that You would bless me”—Jabez knew that God is the source of all blessings, both physical and spiritual. So, he asked God to bless him. The blessing Jabez is asking for is not just material in nature; he is also seeking a spiritual blessing.

  2. “and enlarge my border”—Jabez is not asking for more land; he’s asking to make an impact for God’s kingdom. When God adds to your border, it may be something you’ve never seen before or somewhere you’ve never been—somewhere outside your comfort zone. Be prepared for that when you pray this prayer!

  3. “that Your hand might be with me”—Jabez realizes he cannot do this alone. He’s weak, like us. He knows he needs God’s help, just as we do. So, he asks for God’s hand of guidance to be with him and to guide him and hold fast to him throughout his life. We need this same thing too!
    ​
  4. “that You would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain”—In this last line of Jabez’s prayer, he references his own name—Jabez. The Hebrew word for Jabez is translated “pain.” He’s simply asking God to free him from harm so that pain might not be a part of his story. 
Today, let’s make the prayer of Jabez our prayer. Let’s weave it into the daily fabric of our lives. Record your personal prayer for spiritual blessing, enlarged borders, and God’s guidance and protection.
How does the prayer of Jabez affect the way you pray?

About Sweeter Than Honey

When I read God’s Word each morning, I find inspiration and insight that keeps my day on track. Join me on this journey. Let’s settle in with His Word—it’s His Love Letter to us. Did you know that? Let’s read it like a Love Letter, expecting to glean something for our walk with Him every day. Let’s look for peace in the chaos and strength for our weaknesses. Even on our busiest days we can carve out a few minutes to refocus on the important. Can’t we? We may have to get up a little earlier, when the house is still and quiet, or stay up a few minutes after the others are tucked in for the night, but we can do this! I know we can!
Let's be intentional about focusing on God’s Word and the truths found there. Let's let it inspire us to live out our faith each day in a way that causes those we come in contact with to want what we have found. God sees you. He knows you by name, He knows the number of hairs on your head, and He cares about every detail of your daily existence. He wrote you a Love Letter. Let’s dive in! ​
JOIN THE SWEETER THAN HONEY PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP

IE Link-up logo
Thanks for joining the InstaEncouragements weekly Christian link-up! We would really appreciate it if you would grab this IE link-up button, place it on your blog, and link back to this post. Thanks! Have an awesome week! 

If you're new to link-ups, checkout our IE LINK-UP page for a brief explanation and a list of other link-ups to participate in.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Please Share
10 Comments
Michele Morin link
10/5/2021 09:25:59 am

You are an inspiration for keeping close to the sweetness of God's Truth!

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
10/6/2021 11:55:53 am

Awww... you're so sweet, Michele! I am so thankful for God's Word and the freedom we have to own a copy! That freedom is not to be taken for granted.

Reply
Lisa notes link
10/5/2021 10:02:38 am

"Jabez knew that God is the source of all blessings, both physical and spiritual." Yes. So thankful that our God is a GOOD God! He can be trusted.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
10/6/2021 11:56:40 am

Absolutely, Lisa! We are blessed like Jabez!

Reply
Yvonne Chase link
10/5/2021 01:40:49 pm

The Prayer of Jabez is exactly what I need in this season of my life. Praying it today and every day moving forward. Thank you for this encouragement.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
10/6/2021 11:57:52 am

Good to hear from you, Yvonne! I needed this today also! God speaks over us just what we need! New mercies each morning!

Reply
Lauren Renee Sparks link
10/6/2021 11:17:56 am

Thanks for diving into this now familiar passage - thanks to the book.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
10/6/2021 11:58:28 am

Thanks for stopping by, Lauren! :)

Reply
Jerralea link
10/6/2021 02:16:36 pm

So funny you would write about Jabez. One of my pastors just spoke about this last Sunday.

As for myself, I prayed this prayer 20 years ago, and you should see the things the Lord enlarged my borders to do! Wonder what the next 20 years will bring!

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
9/29/2022 09:02:59 am

I love to see answers to prayer, Jerralea!! The prayer of Jabez is an excellent prayer. We need this! We need to see enlarged borders. I believe, as the world grows darker our light will shine brighter if we remain faithful and our borders will be enlarged!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Patsy
    Hi friend, welcome to InstaEncouragements. I am so glad you are here. You’re among friends. You belong here. 

    How would you like access to our online library of helpful eBooks, devotionals, printables, lock screens, and more? You’re going to love this library, there is all kinds of exclusive content, just for you!

    Join the movement by signing up below and I'll send you the link today. And no worries, We don’t spam. Promise! We don’t like spam either.

    After you've joined the movement, hop on over to our about page to learn more about us and then to our contact form and introduce yourself so we can be on a first-name basis. I'd like that!
    Patsy signature

    Join the movement!

    * indicates required

    Top Posts

    16 Names of God & What They Mean
    12 Things the Bible Says God Knows About Us
    6 Things We Can Learn From Habakkuk 
    18 Characteristics of True Christianity
    From a Proverbs 31 Woman to a Titus 2 Woman
    10 Favorite Bible Verses on Adoption
    12 Letters I Wrote to a Friend With Cancer
    A Lesson From King Jehoshaphat

    Featured

    Welcome Heart
    LaurenSparks.net
    beLydia.org
    Brave Women Series
    Grace & Truth
    Messy Marriage
    Money Wise Steward
    Wield The Word
    Woman of Noble Character
    The Best Bible Study Books For Women

    Categories

    All
    7 Things God Is Not
    ABCs Of The Bible
    Amanda
    Bible Emergency Numbers
    Bible Study
    Books We Love
    Cami
    Cancer
    Christine
    Come And Gather
    Debbie
    Elisabeth
    Family Life
    Guest Post
    Journey To The Cross
    Julie
    Kathy
    Link Ups
    Our Words Matter
    Printables
    Stephanie
    Summer Book Club
    Sweeter Than Honey
    The Bible

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018

InstaEncouragements participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising
program 
designed to provide a means for this site to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 
This site also contains affiliate links for The Daily Grace Company, Faithbox, Minted.com,
​
Canvas Vows, Digital Grab Bag, Grove Collaborative, Faithful Life Planner, and Tailwind.
InstaEncouragements will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links or a link from one of our posts.
​​Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Terms & Conditions
InstaEncouragements logo
© InstaEncouragements |2022|  all rights reserved
IE blog footer image
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Etsy Shop
    • Christianity
  • Blog
    • Guest Bloggers
    • IE Link-up
    • The ABCs of God's Love Letter
    • She Loves Truth
    • Hey Mama! PRAY
    • Seeking Him
    • Aging With Grace
    • Choosing Gratitude
  • Library
    • 16 Names of God
    • Bible Reading Plan
    • The ABCs Study Guide
    • The ABCS Bible Study
    • Disciple Me Program
    • Come and Gather
    • She Loves Truth Guide
    • She Loves Truth Study
    • The Red Sea Rules
    • Praying Proverbs
    • 12 Letters I Wrote
    • Christmas Songbook
    • LOVE Coupons
  • The Heart That Heals
    • Read Chapter 1 of The Heart That Heals
    • The Heart That Heals Media Package
    • The Heart That Heals printable package
  • Sweeter Than Honey
    • Sweeter Than Honey Media Package
  • 16 Names of God