THE PRAYER OF JABEZ : The prayer that changed everything

Scripture:

1 Chronicles 4:10

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘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.”

Weekly Prayer Devotional:

Jabez’s name literally meant pain. That’s what he was called from birth. That was his label. But Jabez didn’t settle for it. He cried out to God and asked Him for something different. Something more.

He asked God to bless him. To enlarge his territory. To stay close. To protect him not just for his own safety, but so that he wouldn’t cause pain to others.

And here’s what’s beautiful: God granted his request.

It wasn’t a long prayer. It wasn’t fancy. But it was honest. And it was full of faith.

When we think of Ruth, we often think of quiet strength, faithful steps, and deep trust in the middle of uncertainty. She, too, walked away from the familiar and into the unknown—believing that God could bring something good out of her story, even if it started in loss.

This week, we’re invited to do the same.

To ask boldly.

To walk faithfully.

To trust fully.

God is still the One who blesses.

He still expands what we surrender.

He still protects and redeems.

And He still listens to the honest prayers of His daughters.

Weekly Prayer:

An Expanded Prayer of Jabez

Lord,

Oh, that You would bless me- not just with things, but with wisdom, peace, and the fullness of Your presence.

Bless the work of my hands, the words of my mouth, and the relationships You’ve entrusted to me.

Let Your blessing rest on my home, my family, and every place You’ve planted me.

Enlarge my territory. Grow my influence, not for my own gain, but so I can serve more, love more, and give more. Expand the capacity of my heart to carry what matters. Stretch me beyond comfort if it draws me closer to You.

Let Your hand be with me. Guide me when I can’t see clearly. Steady me when I’m afraid. Strengthen me when I feel weak. Keep me walking in step with Your Spirit, not ahead of You and not behind.

Keep me from harm.

Protect me from what I can’t see, and even from myself. Guard my heart, my mind, and my motives. And keep me from causing harm to others through my words, my choices, or my silence.

I don’t want to live a life marked by pain. I want to live a life marked by redemption, purpose, and grace. Take what was meant for harm, and use it for good.

Rewrite what the world said I would be.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Thought:

You don’t have to pray long to pray powerfully. You just have to be honest. The Prayer of Jabez reminds us that we can ask God to expand what feels limited. To restore what feels broken. To bless what feels too small.

Jabez didn’t let his name define his future. And neither should we.

Walk like Ruth. Pray like Jabez.

God still answers.