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.
Have you ever spent time reflecting on the prayer of Jabez , what it might mean for others and what it might mean for us? Enlarge my territory? What might that look like? Being a missionary in a foreign country? Having to stand in front of a group and speak? I admit to being a little nervous when I pray this. It requires trust and courage for me to pray this prayer. But, it also reminds me to have a heart for others, their salvation and their needs.
What if we pray this prayer and God blesses others in ways we can’t imagine? I find it humbling when God takes a small gift, financial or otherwise, and I am given the opportunity to see what He does with it. God’s hands are with us and necessary when He calls us to action. He can do so much more than we can imagine when we go to Him with open hands and an open heart.
What if He asks us to fill a need somewhere and we don’t obey? He will find someone to fill that need, but we miss out on the peace, blessing and joy of obedience. God has promised to take care of us and to provide what we need to fulfill what He asks us to do.
Do you have the courage to pray the prayer of Jabez? Today, if He asks you to extend your territory, prepare yourself to say YES and watch what He does!