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I CHRONICLES 4:9, 10

"THE PRAYER OF JABEZ"

Intro: Jabez means sorrow. Rather mean name to tag on a kid. His mother
       bare him with  sorrow. Perhaps a birth defect. Sorrow often
       creates a depth of character, forces one  to pray.

I. "AND JABEZ CALLED ON THE GOD OF ISRAEL."
        A. In a long listing of names suddenly one stands out for
           special mention -- Jabez.
                1. He was a man of prayer.
                2. Men of prayer often noteworthy, they make things
                   happen.
                3. This shows how twisted are our values today.
                        a. The world honors men who publish porno
                           magazines.
                                1. Men who help corrupt and break down
                                   morals.
                        b. God honors men who pray.
        B. Note to whom he prayed. "The God of Israel."
                1. Prayer is a part of every religious system.
                        a. The prophets of Baal prayed.
                        b. To say,  "I pray" is meaningless.
                                1. To whom do you pray?  God?
                                2. Who is your God?  When you say
                                   God, who are you addressing?

II. HIS FOUR REQUESTS.
        A. "Bless me indeed."
                1. One school of thought declares that you should
                   never pray for anything personal.
                        a. A pseudo humility -- "It's not right to
                           bother God with my problems."
                        b. God bless America, and the birds.
                2. I need God's blessings.
                        a. I don't deserve them -- grace.
                        b. Personal petitions in the model prayer
                           given to us by Jesus. "Give us this day...
        B. "Enlarge my coast."
                1. Broaden my horizons.
                        a. We often tend to narrow our horizons.
                                1. Narrow circle of friends.
                                2. Narrow views.
                                3. Narrow interests.
                2. "For God so loved the world."
                        a. Give me a concern for more than just my
                           family or my church.
                        b. We have tendencies to draw narrow circles.
                3. The first petition could be wrong if not followed
                   by second.
        C. "That Thy hand might be with me."
                1. How I need the hand of God on my life.
                        a. Moses said, "If you don't go with me,
                           then don't send me."
                        b. Apart from Him, I can do nothing.
                2. The prophet said         Asa, "The Lord is with
                   you while you'll be with Him..."
                3. The hand of God is a symbol of power, guidance,
                   protection, anointing.
        D. "Keep me from evil."
                1. It will rob me of His blessings.
                2. It will narrow my vision.
                3. It will cause God to remove His hand.
                4. The Lord incorporated this in His model prayer.
                   "Deliver us from evil."
                5. "That it would not grieve me."
                        a. This is a true view of the end result of
                           evil in my life.
                        b. Many associate evil with pleasure,
                           excitement, fun.

III. "AND GOD GRANTED HIM THAT WHICH HE REQUESTED."
        A. "And we know that if we ask anything according to His will..."
        B. It is God's will to bless you, enlarge your vision, hand upon
           you, and keep you from evil.