Reminders for LifeSample

The Power of Prayer

Sometimes we may feel powerless. Maybe you’re trying to figure out how to do this whole adulting thing. Maybe you’re struggling to figure out how you’ll pay for school. Or maybe you’re just struggling to make ends meet. Whatever the situation, you don’t know what else to do, and you don’t know how to fix it. 

Do you know what advice Jabez would give you? Ask God for it. 

There are tons of giveaways all the time. Instagram influencers, YouTubers, and businesses are constantly posting new products and items that they want to giveaway. We so easily tag three friends, share the post, or comment to win a gift card or store credit or something. 

How quickly would our lives change if we started praying as quickly as we respond to those giveaways? God is infinitely more generous and more powerful than any social media influencer. He loves hearing from you, and He loves answering prayers. Jabez knew that. 

Jabez is literally only in two verses of the Bible. In 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, we learn the meaning of his name, and we learn about his audacious prayer life. 

In 1 Chronicles 4:10 NIV, we read: Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

Have you ever heard the saying, “You have not because you ask not”? Jabez’s story and testimony certainly supports this. He cried out to God, made his request known, and God gave him what he asked for. 

Guess what? There’s no harm in asking God for what you need and want. When you keep prayers and requests to yourself, you’re only hurting you.

Sometimes you may have to wait a while. The verse doesn’t say God instantly granted his request. It just says that He granted it. It could have been years or months or days. But no matter how long it takes, we just have to keep praying and keep believing. 

Don’t get this twisted, though. Praying to God isn’t like making a wish to a genie. He’s not just out here granting wishes. Just because you pray to God for something doesn’t mean you get everything you want or that you have a trouble-free life. Jesus never promised us that we wouldn’t experience pain. In fact, He promised that we will have trouble in this life. 

So, sometimes, God says no. And God’s no’s are just as kind as God’s yeses—even if they don’t always feel that way in the moment. Sometimes He says no because there’s a better plan and a better “yes” coming later. 

And sometimes? Just like with Jabez, God may blow your mind. He can do more than we can ask, think, or imagine. We just have to pray in faith. 

What do you need to have faith and pray for? 

Pray: God, You are a wonderful Father and great Provider. In faith, I am just asking you ________. Thank You, Lord. Amen.