Over the years I have often heard the person leading the congregational prayer say, “Let’s all pray Christian Union style.” This meant that everyone was to pray out loud in unison. A great volume of prayer would then arise.
If you attended the General or District Councils you will recall that I challenged the people to join with me everyday in praying the prayer of Jabez. I am writing this article to invite every CCCU member to join together in praying this prayer on a daily basis.
The prayer of Jabez is found in I Chronicles 4:10. He begins by praying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed.” In the Hebrew language adding the word indeed is like putting a series of exclamation marks at the end of a sentence for emphasis. Jabez looked up into the face of God and cried out, “bless me, not just a little, but a whole lot.”
If we will pray this prayer with faith we will experience a mighty move of God across the denomination. Ask Him to bless your family, your ministry, your local church and our denomination.
We need a fresh move of God across the entire denomination. We will experience it if we will all mind God and join together in praying this prayer every day.
Then Jabez prayed, “Enlarge my territory.” Jabez wasn’t asking for more real estate. He was asking God to enlarge his ministry and his influence.
His motive was pure because God answered his prayer. God will not bless a selfish request.
We should not be satisfied with our little niche and present ministry. We need to get in step with God’s agenda and keep moving forward.
Jabez next request was that “Gods hand would be upon him.” The hand of the Lord refers to the Holy Spirit. The New Testament church grew and expanded rapidly because it was a sanctified, Spirit filled church.
We must empty ourselves of our self centered and selfish ambitions and be filled with the Spirit. It is only as the Holy Spirit empowers us that we can expect to grow and be fruitful. We need a Divine discontent within us to remain where we are today. We must begin to reach more unsaved and needy people with the salvation message.
Jabez final request was that “God would keep him from evil that he might not cause pain.” This was a wise request. You can be sure that when your influence and ministry expands you will become a target of Satan.
However, “greater is He who is in you than he who is against you.” Put on the whole armor of God, take the shield of and you will be victorious. God will be a hedge of protection around you.
Here is the good news! God granted Jabez his request. I am confident if the CCCU people will come together and pray this prayer God will bless us and expand our territory. What God did for Jabez He will do for us. He is no respecter of persons.
If you will join me and hundreds of others praying this prayer with faith God will bless us and expand our territory. Let’s all pray.