As we near Halloween the idea of witchcraft and magic spells, of incantations and ghosts, begins to surface in conversation and on television programs. As Christians we are adamantly opposed to such thinking. Belief in the one true God and in our Savior Jesus Christ negates such concepts of luck and magical spells.
Yet, there can be times when even the most devout of Christian believers can fall into the habit of ritualistic behavior that borders on supernatural belief. Today’s passage is one such example of a very popular ritual.
The book The Prayer of Jabez, by Bruce Wilkinson, points out that 1 Chronicles begins with a lengthy list of Jewish heritage, and goes on to say that this list has a slight interruption in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. Suddenly we are presented with more in-depth information regarding a man named Jabez. What do we learn about the name? What four things does Jabez ask of God? What is the result?
It is interesting that this chronicle has this interruption, and Jabez’s prayer does have interesting aspects to it. The man dares to ask God to bless him, and not just a little. Some translations have Jabez saying “bless me indeed,” the word “indeed” implying a request for abundance.
He further wants more territory, which the book explains to be more responsibility. But he concedes his place with God and asks that God will be with him and protect him. And God, in His benevolence, grants the request.
I am one who read the book and prayed the prayer. The book recommends praying the prayer daily for 30 days to see that God will indeed respond to such a request.
The problem is that this prayer and daily recitation can be viewed as a type of incantation, a magical Christian spell that furthers us along in God’s kingdom. But rather than using this prayer as a ritual, I think it is more important to see the intention behind it. I do not believe that the words, the order of the words, the exactness of the wording, are what can produce positive fruits from God. Instead it is the attitude.
If we, in our own words, will draw close to God and ask Him for blessings that are meant to serve Him and not just benefit us, I believe God will respond. He does indeed want what is best for us and He wants us to prosper in His kingdom. We also must acknowledge our need for God to control our situation and protect us.
Rather than adopting specific words and phrases to make our life better, we should adopt the attitude of Jabez. Draw close to God. Ask for more responsibility in His kingdom, more evangelical, missional, service work. Then ask God to be with you to guide and protect. Then, I believe God will grant your request also.
DAILY CHALLENGE: Create your own prayer, asking God for more opportunities to serve Him and for His presence to help you get it all done.
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