A PASSIINATE PRAYER

WEDNESDAY, 23RD NOVEMBER, 2022.

 

Topic: A PASSIONATE PRAYER

MEMORIZE: "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested" (1 CHRONICLES 4:10).

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 CHRONICLES 4:1-10 (NKJV).

"¹ The sons of Judah were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. ² And Reaiah the son of Shobal begot Jahath, and Jahath begot Ahumai and Lahad. These were the families of the Zorathites. ³ These were the sons of the father of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazelelponi; ⁴ and Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer was the father of Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah the father of Bethlehem. ⁵ And Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah. ⁶ Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah. ⁷ The sons of Helah were Zereth, Zohar, and Ethnan; ⁸ and Koz begot Anub, Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum. ⁹ Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." ¹⁰ 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."

EXPOSITION:

God is a changeless changer of man, his situations and circumstances. He provides perfect solutions to man's problems. The case of Jabez in our text is a classic example of how a bad life scenario was dramatically changed through a thoughtful and wise decision to approach God who alone has the power to make and unmake every situation through prayer and faith.

This Israelite, whose life had become synonymous with failure, shame and sorrows, had to break off the chains of frustration and disappointment when he made a heartrending prayer to God to rewrite the story of his life. God heard and granted his request. The after effect of his passionate prayer was that God made an honorable man of an erstwhile nobody. Our God is waiting for more sons and daughters who will dare pray to Him like Jabez, so that He would bless them.

The story of your life can be rewritten today if you will humbly approach the Lord in penitence for your sins and pride - beseech Him to cleanse you and clear every debt of sin you owe which demands judgement. The faithful Judge of repentant sinners will discharge and acquit you this day. You will have peace like a river and prosper like Jabez did. Through passionate prayer, we can bring succour to our helpless world. Call upon the One who answers prayers now and see things change in your life and ministry.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Prayer remains the key that opens heaven's doors of abundance and prosperity.

PRAYER POINTS: 

i. Lord, give me the revelation of the best I am  predestined to be in life.

ii. Lord, I refuse all forms of limitations in my life. Give me spiritual power to break all of them and soar high in all areas of my life.

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DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Acts 20-22.