Powerful Prayers: A Study In Destiny of Jabez

On the road to destiny we can hit a few bumps. Our destiny does not come on a paved, easy road which is why we need God’s help to get there. Often times, we can feel overwhelmed by the problems we face and we cannot see a way out. God will give us everything we need, but our fear causes us to doubt that God has the resources we need. God can help us through any situation when we choose to have faith over fear. Jabez was someone who chose to pray with faith and asked God for what he needed.

Jabez prayed to the God of Israel, “Please do good things for me and give me more land. Stay with me, and don’t let anyone hurt me. Then I won’t have any pain.” And God did what Jabez had asked.

1 Chronicles 4:10 (NCV)

 Jabez wasn’t afraid to tell God exactly what he needed. He was someone who was confident that God would help him achieve his destiny. What made Jabez so confident? In order for Jabez to have this kind of faith, there were a few things that he had to believe about God and his destiny.

God Gives Us What We Desire

Be happy with the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Entrust your ways to the Lord. Trust him, and he will act on your behalf.

Psalm 37:4-5 (GW)

Jabez wasn’t afraid to ask for what he really wanted and God gave it to him. When our desires go along with our destiny, God will give us the desires of our heart. Do you believe God will give you what you desire? Do you believe that God will take care of everything you need? Are you afraid to tell God the things that you really desire? Sometimes what we desire is relief or comfort! Other times what we desire is an A on our midterm or close relationships. God will give us the desires of our heart when we trust he will have our back.

 God Protects Us From Pain

The lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

Psalms 18:2 (NLT)

 Jabez prayed that “no one would hurt him.” He believed that God was capable of protecting him from any painful situation. God doesn’t always change our circumstances, but he gives us a safe place. God is always a place we can run to in those painful situations. God doesn’t always take away the pain, but he gives us a safe place to go when we hit those bumps in the road.

Do you see God as a safe place to turn? How do you see God protecting you in painful situations?

 God Answers Prayers

The Lord hasn’t lost his powerful strength; he can still hear and answer prayers. Your sins are the roadblock between you and your God. That’s why he doesn’t answer your prayers or let you see his face.

 Isaiah 59:1-2 (CEV)

God has the power to answer any prayer. He can give us the resources we need in an instant, but our sin and guilt create a roadblock from seeing God. Jabez knew what God was capable of doing. He didn’t let his unbelief or his own guilt stop him from seeing God. What sin has been your roadblock from seeing what God can give you? How do you see God answering your prayers, maybe in unexpected ways?

 When we believe these three truths about God, we will have the faith that God gives us the resources we need to reach our destiny.

 What is it that you need or desire from God?

 What “roadblocks” are stopping you from seeing God answer your prayers?