1Ch 4:9,10 ASV And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying Because I bare him with sorrow.   And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that thy hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it be not to my sorrow! And God granted him that which he requested. 

The prayer made by Jabez has gained a lot of attention due to the book “The Prayer of Jabez” written by Bruce Wilkinson, 2001.  He opened up this Scriptural prayer with great skill.  The main thing about this prayer is the man who offered it.

The Scripture says he was “more honorable than his brethren”.   That one line is the key to this prayer being answered by God.  Those who walk in honor and uprightness of heart before God get their prayers answered because of the relationship they have with God.

Many of us believe that we can live a sin-filled life and still get God to be on our side.  This is not truth.  God loves justice and righteousness.  He hates sin.  

Pro 6:16-19  “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” 

That is one of the reasons Jesus became our righteousness…we cannot live a righteous life on our own abilities.  We need God’s help.  That was what the sin offering in the Old Testament was created for.  Man alone, cannot stop sinning.  When Jesus bore our sins on the Cross of Calvary, he took all mankind’s sins upon Himself.  

1 Peter 2:24  Who his own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 

Romans chapter 4 explains our gift or righteousness.   Romans 5 continues the story; Romans 5:17  For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 

Jabez was more honorable, that does not mean he did not sin, it means he was better than the rest.  He by offering the correct sacrifices, was able to please God and receive the answer to his prayer.  

How much more, those of us who through the sacrifice of Jesus can pray this prayer.  We are made righteous (having right standing before God) by Jesus and can stand purified by that precious blood, before the Father.  Our faith in God, our obedience to the Word, our relationship with the Godhead all open doors for blessings and grace to be released unto us and also through us.

Bruce Wilkinson in his book was able to expound on the whole story and what each word means to us today.  It is a worthwhile read.