Pray for God's Help 3

1 Chronicles 4:10

One of the most important lessons I have learned in the ministry is that if you want something or need something you must ask for it. Planning events and activities, designing worship, hoping to launch a mission trip all require resources and sometimes money. And rather than fret about where it will all come from I have often simply needed to ask this person or that and what was needed was given.

This passage from 1 Chronicles is the famous Prayer of Jabez, the subject of a popular book by Bruce Wilkinson as well as many inspirational plaques. It is a small interruption in a lengthy listing of heritage, the chronicle of family lines. What are the things Jabez prays for? What is the response?

In his book, Wilkinson points out that many people are shocked by the audacity of Jabez. “Bless me indeed,” is his request. Give me more. Expand my territory and, through implication, my responsibility and authority.

But this is not selfishness. I believe whole-heartedly that God wants to bless every one of us. He wants us to have goodness and plenty in our lives. So why don’t we ask for it?

His prayer is also more than a desire to be rich and powerful. He wants responsibility, authority, work to do. He acknowledges that God must be with him to achieve this success and be able to handle the authority and responsibility given him.

We are encouraged by God to ask for what we need. We are encouraged to seek God’s blessings – to ask for them. And we are encouraged to do more for the kingdom of God. We are encouraged to ask God for more territory – more church members, more ministry, more outreach, more opportunities for mercy and service. We just need to remember to include God’s presence and blessings in what we will do.

As we consider what we might do to serve God let us be bold in our requests. Let us ask for the impossible. Let us beg God to give us more ministry and more ability to share the good news. But let us also include God in what we do so that we will have success in the name of our Lord. Then we will trust that God will grant our request.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What ministry do you want?