A new year brings a new start. Every year, people make New Year’s resolutions they don’t keep. Why? Because they rely on their own strength and power. We need more than human effort—we need a higher power (John 3:30)!
When I hear “2020,” I think of vision and eyesight. I looked up the word “vision” in the Bible and found something powerful—there’s a clear connection between vision and prayer. In Daniel 9, while Daniel was praying, the angel Gabriel appeared and gave him insight into the vision. In Acts 10, Peter went up to the rooftop to pray, and God gave him a vision. You don’t just need your vision for the year—you need God’s vision for your life, and that comes through prayer.
As we start this new year, we’re diving into a series on some of the great prayers in Scripture. Let’s begin with the Prayer of Jabez. It’s found in 1 Chronicles 4:9–10: “Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!’ So God granted him what he requested.”
Why start here? Because this short prayer reveals three powerful truths:
1. The Prayer of Jabez Shows That God Loves People
The book of 1 Chronicles begins with genealogy all the way back to Adam (1 Chron. 1:1). It summarizes major stories and key people from the Old Testament. This was written after the Israelites had spent 70 years in Babylonian captivity—they needed hope that their future could be better than their past.
Near the end of the book, David tells Solomon, “Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God” (1 Chronicles 22:19). That’s how we should start every day—seeking God first.
Jabez is described as “more honorable than his brothers.” That doesn’t mean he was perfect—it means he was prayerful. That’s all we know about him! His legacy wasn’t built on achievements, but on a prayer. What a way to be remembered.
We don’t read the Bible just to check a box. We read it to spend time with the God who created us. Move from a prayer list to a prayer life. God loves people. And of all the people in the world, He wants to spend time with you.
2. The Prayer of Jabez Reminds Us That God Uses Pain
The name “Jabez” means pain, grief, sorrow. Can you imagine? Here’s Johnny, Susie… and Pain! Talk about a negative self-image. What label are you wearing today? Maybe it’s divorce. Depression. Bankruptcy. Addiction.
That might describe your past, but it doesn’t have to define your future.
Lord, don’t let my label be my legacy.
Jabez didn’t play the victim. He didn’t dwell on his pain—he prayed for blessing. He believed God could use his pain as a platform for His purpose.
A.W. Tozer once said, “It is doubtful whether God can use a man greatly until He has first hurt him significantly.” Your setback can be a setup for God’s blessing. God didn’t remove Jabez’s name, but He changed his story. And He can do the same for you.
3. The Prayer of Jabez Shows That God Answers Prayer
“And Jabez called on the God of Israel…” (1 Chron. 4:10). Why that name? Because He is the One and Only True God. The gods of this world have eyes that cannot see, ears that cannot hear, and mouths that cannot speak (Psalm 115:4–7).
Jabez wasn’t just looking for a handout—he was seeking God’s hand, His presence, and His protection. He didn’t want the blessing without the Blesser. He didn’t want the gift without the Giver.
So God granted him what he requested.
That same God still answers prayer today. Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things.” Don’t be too proud to admit you’re in pain. Don’t be too afraid to ask for help.
More than we need the prayer of Jabez—we need the God of Jabez.
If you’re looking for a place to grow in your faith, we’d love to help you take your next step. Plan a visit to one of our campuses or connect with us online today. You’re not alone, and God’s not done writing your story.
