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The Prayer of Jabez

Discussion in 'Books & Publications Forum' started by apeman, May 18, 2001.

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  1. apeman

    apeman Guest

    The Prayer of Jabez;
    Breaking Through to the Blessed Life
    by Bruce Wilkinson

    My first instinct, upon reading this rather short book, was to start my own cult and use this book solely as my doctrinal principle.

    I laughed about how simple it was to have this book's theme pray = get rich quick sweep our nation by storm.

    Then I stopped and prayed. Not just the prayer of Jabez mind you, (1 Chronicles 4:10) but that the Lord would keep my attitude in check and that He would continue to bless me… then my eyes were opened.

    This is not a prayer for me to mumble over and over again making it into a mantra as some suggest (even the author) but it is an example of how the Lord does bless when we apply His principles to our lives.

    1 Chronicles 4:10
    And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep [me] from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

    I would recommend that you read the book in spite of initial opinions or fears. The 93 page little book (6.5” X 4.5&#8221 ;) can be a blessing and a reminder to do what we should already be doing … living, praying, walking, speaking, teaching, preaching, doing, sharing, spreading … our personal testimony of our Savior.

    ~Theological Neophyte~
     
    #1 apeman, May 18, 2001
  2. KeeperOfMyHome

    KeeperOfMyHome New Member

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    Our pastor is constantly pushing us to pray this prayer. His prompting is that if we pray this, God will really bless our lives, our ministries, our churches. I can't say that I disagree with him. However, I do object to the insinuation that God will only bless when we pray this prayer! The NT teaches us so much about prayer . . . and I would hate to think that it is being put on the back burner in order that we might solely embrace Jabez's prayer in order to be blessed of God.
     
    #2 KeeperOfMyHome, May 18, 2001
  3. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Prayers in the Bible have time-constraints; some are related to individuals, some to OT Israel, some in real-time (like praying for Peter to be freed from prison).

    Jesus gave us a model prayer . . and what has happened to it? It is rotely and blindly repeated, like a christian mantra. Sad.

    I feel that the health-and-wealth, peace and prosperity bunch have jumped on this little ditty as an "instant fix". My wife was given a copy for Mother's Day; even our ifb college is offering a free copy for a $100 donation (a Jerry Falwellian technique at which I am greatly displeased).

    I pray God doesn't enlarge my coasts! I can hardly buckle my trousers now. :D
     
    #3 Dr. Bob, May 19, 2001
  4. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    Have you prayed it on a regular basis? Have you prayed it once, seriously? Watch out. If you pray it and are serious, it will wear you out... . .......
     
    #4 SaggyWoman, May 19, 2001
  5. Psalm145 3

    Psalm145 3 New Member

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    Christ taught us to pray that God's will be done, not our will (Matthew 6:10).
     
    #5 Psalm145 3, May 20, 2001
  6. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    God also says if we commit our ways to him, he gives us the desires of our heart.
     
    #6 SaggyWoman, May 20, 2001
  7. apeman

    apeman Guest

    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Psalm145 3:
    Christ taught us to pray that God's will be done, not our will (Matthew 6:10).<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    There was a little saying I had framed in my room as a kid ...

    "If it pleases you to please God, you can do as you please."

    I feel that IF we are following in God's Will and praying, that prayer should be for God's will. :D
     
    #7 apeman, May 21, 2001
  8. swaimj

    swaimj <img src=/swaimj.gif>

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    #8 swaimj, May 25, 2001
  9. bb_baptist

    bb_baptist New Member

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    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--The "Prayer of Jabez" by Bruce Wilkinson topped the list of best-selling hardback books in LifeWay Christian Stores for April, continuing in first place for the fifth consecutive month.


    More reviews:

    'The Prayer of Jabez': What does it teach? http://news.christiansunite.com/baptist/baptist00868.shtml

    'The Prayer of Jabez' devotional book atop best-seller list & changing lives http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=10965

    Prayer of Jabez provides model for extraordinary ministry, Thomas says http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=6566
     
    #9 bb_baptist, May 28, 2001
  10. Barnabas H.

    Barnabas H. <b>Oldtimer</b>

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    I love the prayer of Jabez. It is short, to the point, and the most important thing in it is that "God granted him that which he requested!" (1 Chron. 4:10c) [​IMG]
     
    #10 Barnabas H., May 28, 2001
  11. 4xBlessed

    4xBlessed New Member

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    I read this book a while ago so my mind may be a bit fuzzy, but I don't recall it stressing financial wealth. I actually remember him saying that you don't pray for a particular blessing, but pray for the blessings, whatever they may be, that God may have in store for you.

    Lucy
    †
     
    #11 4xBlessed, Jun 1, 2001
  12. Bob L. Ross

    Bob L. Ross New Member

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    #12 Bob L. Ross, Jun 1, 2001
  13. KeeperOfMyHome

    KeeperOfMyHome New Member

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    Thanks for the links! I can't wait to read this.
     
    #13 KeeperOfMyHome, Jun 1, 2001
  14. Joseph_Botwinick

    Joseph_Botwinick <img src=/532.jpg>Banned

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dr. Bob Griffin:
    I feel that the health-and-wealth, peace and prosperity bunch have jumped on this little ditty as an "instant fix".<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    Dr. Bob,

    I was wondering if anyone would notice this. I might be paranoid, but when my charasmatic friends on other forums start suggesting this book to me in defense of the "name it and claim it" theology, red flags start going up. I haven't read it simply for that reason.

    Dr. Griffin said:
    My wife was given a copy for Mother's Day; even our ifb college is offering a free copy for a $100 donation (a Jerry Falwellian technique at which I am greatly displeased).

    My Reply:
    I hate it when "Christian" ministers do that...I am 100% with you on that one. I think that gives Christianity a bad name.

    Joseph

    [ June 09, 2001: Message edited by: JBotwinick ]
     
    #14 Joseph_Botwinick, Jun 3, 2001
  15. firedome

    firedome New Member

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    The following is quoted from a book I am currently using as my study aid on Psalm 73. The book is titled "Faith on Trial", by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>The ultimate test of the Christian is that he can truly say that he desires God even more than he desires forgiveness. We all desire forgiveness, and rightly so; but that is a very low state of Christian experience. The height of Christian experience is when a man can say, ""Yes, but beyond forgiveness what I desire is God, God Himself."" We often desire power, and ability, and various other gifts. There is a sense in which it is right to desire them. But if we ever put those things before God, again we are proclaiming that we are very poor Christians. As Christians we desire blessings of various types and pray to God for them, but in doing so we may sometimes be insulting God in a sense, because we imply that we are not interested in Him but in the fact that He is able to give us these blessings. We desire the blessings and we do not stop to enjoy the blessed Person Himself. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
     
    #15 firedome, Jun 18, 2001
  16. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    =====Christ taught us to pray that God's will be done, not our will (Matthew 6:10).


    God also says if we commit our ways to him, he gives us the desires of our heart====

    I believe the Bible says somewhere in N.T., to make your requests known to God.
     
    #16 donnA, Jun 19, 2001
  17. Truthserum

    Truthserum Guest

    I have not read the book, "The Prayer of Jabez". Please forgive my ignorance, but I believe that we can find all the answers we need concerning prayer in the Bible. I know that some take advantage of people's ignorance concerning prayer. Read Ephesians, chapter 2 and you will find an excellent prayer. You will see the position of prayer, the purpose of prayer, the passion of prayer and the potential of prayer. I titled this message, The Power Packed Prayer of the Apostle Paul. I am presently getting my first book published. Someone tell me how to get some sort of mystical blessing attached to my book so that it can sell millions. I must admit that my book doesn't have any chants included. Well, I enjoyed writing it anyway.
     
    #17 Truthserum, Jul 2, 2001
  18. sandrocksam

    sandrocksam New Member

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    I am totally baffle by the negative responses to "The Prayer of Jabez". I saw it more in the light of asking the Lord to use me, to keep his hand upon me (because in my own strength I am weak). I believe the author was presenting a attitude of service to the Lord more than riches. I guess I need to go back and read the little book again.
     
    #18 sandrocksam, Aug 26, 2001
  19. myreflection26

    myreflection26 New Member

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    The point is, God's will is for us to go for the best God has for us in everything!!! God wants us to have not that we may hord for ourselves but that we can bless others with what we have and the way to do it is to ask for it...the bible says we have not because we ask not.

    A friend of mine just gave me this book Prayer of Jabez and I started reading it and the more I've read it the more I've been blessed already and I will be putting this prayer into action in my life.

    Btw...last sunday I hardly had any money to tithe with because I've not been very faithful in that area, well I felt God dealing with me on this so I gave every single cent I had in my purse which didn't even total 5 bucks but I gave it with the heart and prayer that God would take that and bless the church with it and do mighty things with it plus that God would bless me too. Well...literally seconds later God did bless me by giving me a new client for my home buisness that would not have happened otherwise, totally blew me away GO GOD!!!!!

    Sue
     
    #19 myreflection26, Aug 26, 2001
  20. ddavis

    ddavis New Member

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    I haven't read the book, and do not intend to. I think it is a bad thing for God's people to get involed with this type theology. If you need a good book to read try reading the King James 1611, not to short, not to long, but God's Word is just right. Oh yeah, look at Matthew 6:7-8. The people I know that have read the book are looking for God to give them riches and material things, not one of them have talked about any type of spiritual blessings.
     
    #20 ddavis, Aug 27, 2001
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