Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain. 1 Chronicles 4:10
The first nine chapters of First Chronicles are filled with genealogies. Yet buried deep within these names is a gem about prayer; two verses that tell us about Jabez. We know nothing about Jabez, except that he was from the tribe of Judah and his mother bore him in deep pain and gave him a name that means “sorrow-maker”. This snippet is from part of Jabez’ prayer that cries out for protection and blessing. Here Jabez asks for the presence of God’s hand. This was his way of asking that God would guard and guide him and serve as his strength each day. Likewise we pray that God’s hand would lead us through all circumstances. Finally Jabez asks for protection from harm and freedom from pain. Here Jabez looks to God for his wellbeing. What a wonderful example of prayer for us to use. We should pray the prayer of Jabez often!
A word of wisdom for a sticky note:
“Sometimes life hurts, but always God heals!”
Today my prayer includes . . .
thanks for this special blessing:
concern for this special person:
petition for this special problem:
A closing verse:
Jesus, who bought us with His blood,
And makes our souls His care,
Was known of old as Israel’s God,
And answered Jabez’ prayer.
John Newton
From Hope for Each New Day by Reynold R. Kremer