A New Year Prayer
Reading through 1 Chronicles there is a myriad of names and begats that help us understand much history and details that date important events. Sometimes we get lost in all that and miss an important message that the Lord is trying to relay. In 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 God introduces a man named Jabez. All we really know about him is contained in these two verses. We know that he was honorable, more honorable that his brothers. We know that his mother named him Jabez because she bore him in pain and most importantly we know that he was a man of prayer. If we could only be known for one event in our lives, would not this be the most important? His prayer contains four parts that are noteworthy as we begin this new year.
"Bless me"
Many times we stay away from this prayer but God's Word says that it is permissible and even advisable to pray for God's blessings on our life, our family , our ministries, our business. Lord bless me! Does that sound selfish? God's Word tells us that God desires to bless his children. (Matt. 7:11)"Enlarge my territory"
We ask the Lord to give us more ministry. Do you want to just get by or do you desire to impact lives? Ask the Lord to broaden your effectiveness; to give you lives, hurting people who need to have a shoulder to on which to lean. Pray, "Lord I am available for you give me opportunities to shine for you." God supplies us with everything we need in order to do what He has called us to do. (Philippians 1:6)"Let your hand be with me"
This statement is saying that I do not want to operate my life in my own power. I want you to enthrone my life. I desire you, Holy Spirit, to empower my every motive. John 15:5 tells us that "apart from me, ye can do nothing". Lord, may everything I do be touched, guided by you. Enable me with your grace to accomplish what you call me to do."Keep me from evil"
1 Peter 5:8 says the devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Evil is all around us. Ephesians 6:10 tells us to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Ephesians 6:11-18 describes our full armor that enables us to stand against the devil's schemes. Lord, keep me pure. (Psalm 119:9) Keep me from evil influences of this world.The incredible part is that verse 10 says that God granted Jabez's request. I challenge you to pray that prayer everyday for the next month. God will grant your request.
