Book Review of Jabez

The Prayer of Jabez

Recently a reader asked me some questions about the Prayer of Jabez, which I had referred to in another posting. I thought today I should clarify my point of view.

The first I saw of the prayer of Jabez was when it was a bathroom reader in my parents’ house. I picked up the little volume and analyzed it. Initially it seemed fine, but the more I looked at it the more I disliked it.

I guess what disturbs me most is the dualistic nature of the book. You can take this book two ways, either you intend to increase your own “territory” or you intend to increase the Lords.

"...make the Jabez prayer for blessing part of the daily fabric of your life. To do that, I encourage you to follow unwaveringly the plan outlined here for the next thirty days. By the end of that time, you'll be noticing significant changes in your life.... Read the Jabez prayer every morning.... Reread this little book once each week during the next month...." The Prayer of Jabez, page 86.

I am always weary of spiritual programs like the Purpose Driven Life or the Prayer of Jabez. It seems churches, and home groups will get wrapped up in a program, and forget to study the Bible. What can replace God’s own narrative?

Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (KJV)

The very lightest criticism I can offer is that this is not how Yahshua teaches us to pray.

Here is the disciple’s prayer.

Luk 11:2-4 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. (KJV)

Compare the above with the below.

1Ch 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. (KJV)

Notice my friends; Jabez only prayed this once. The prayer is for personal increase, the disciple’s prayer is a better way, it prays for the Lords increase! Jabez lived under the law, we live under grace. Would you rather be increased under the law, or diminish under the GRACE of Yahshua? I for one, being a monarchist would rather pray for the King’s kingdom, my own kingdom is already too big for me.

Jhn 3:30 He must increase, but I [must] decrease. (KJV) John said it best!

I guess I am not alone in my concern…

"I have an uncomfortable feeling about The Prayer of Jabez.... The Lord commented unfavorably on repetitious prayer. Please help me sort out my uncomfortable feeling about this 'movement'. Reading Dr. Dobson's 'most important letter he ever wrote' about Bruce Wilkinson's book and the effect it has had on future plans of FOTF is disconcerting. Is my concern misapplied?" –

- Ramsay Devereuxv

Here is Wilkinson’s take on this… "Dear Reader, I want to teach you how to pray a daring prayer that God always answers. It is brief--only one sentence with four parts--and tucked away in the Bible, but I believe it contains the key to a life of extraordinary favor with God....”

Sadly Dr Dobson, who I appreciate immensely for his work in the field of Christian Psychology, has decided to apply this book to his personal ministry.

There is more, of course.

Mat 8:20, Luke 9:58 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air [have] nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay [his] head. (KJV)

What? Are you saying the Lord himself did not use the prayer of Jabez? Are you kidding me? Did he not know?

Jhn 18:38 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (KJV)

Are we not servants of the King? Are we not his children? Do we not belong to Yahshua’s kingdom? People now, even Christians, do not know what it is like to serve a king. The king is not some politician, this is not a realm made rich by conquest. This is a kingdom made rich by love and sacrifice.

Our king is a warrior and a poet; he has died for us, and would die again. Our king loves his people and we call him Father. We have no need for increase, we must work for Yahshua’s increases. (the people he wants in His kingdom) We must add to HIS kingdom.

Jam 5:16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (KJV)

I have questions, what if you prayed the prayer of Jabez every day for thirty days and the Lord took your family to heaven? What if your house burned down, and then you were diagnosed with cancer? Would you think that the Lord had not answered your prayer? Would you think you were lacking in faith? Would you believe you had committed a terrible sin? What if the Lord required your life of you? Would you not now be increased a thousand fold?

Jam 4:3-4 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (KJV)

I must admit, I too am guilty of the above.

Psa 66:18-20 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]: [But] verily God hath heard [me]; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed [be] God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.(KJV)

Wow, now that is a promise. Seek God’s mercy in your prayer!

Pro 21:13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

With or without the prayer of Jabez? It is better to give than to receive.

In the end programs like this end up like spiritual fad diets. Sure, you succeed for a while, even get some weight off but in the end you are right back where you started. But just like the physical realm, the spiritual realm only has one recipe for strength, diet and exercise. Your diet is the meat and drink of the word of God. Your exercise is to pray fervently to your God lifting up worship, praise and supplication to Him, as the Holy Spirit guides you.

Think about it, pray about it.

Jess

Bibliography

Wilkinson, Bruce (2000) the Prayer of Jabez, Multnomah, OR: Multnomah Publishers Inc.

Kjos, Berit (u.d.) Problems with the Prayer of Jabez. Reprinted from http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/Jabez.htm (November, 2007)

Zaleski, Philip (2001) In Defense of Jabez, Website captured from http://www.firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=2236 (November, 2007)