Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 4:9 & 10
Today’s Bible reading is often called “the prayer of Jabez.” Jabez’s prayer teaches us the three important parts of prayer: talking to God, listening to God, and believing that God is listening and will answer our prayers.
First, we must talk to God often, but we don’t need to say many words. Prayers don’t need to be long. Jabez used only 29 words in his prayer.
Second, we should spend more time listening to God than speaking to God. Jesus’ gives us this same instruction in Matthew 6:7 saying, “when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” Jabez said his 29 words, then he stopped talking waited to hear God’s answer.
Finally, expect God to answer. Jabez showed no doubt that God was listening to his prayer. Jabez, to all appearances, was confident that God would answer him.
We need to pray like Jabez: say a little and listen a lot. We also need to be confident in God’s ability and willingness to answer our prayers, just like Jabez.
“ 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.” 1 Chronicles 4:10
Prayer: Heavenly Father, remind me to spend more time listening to You than talking to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.