|
Post by John on May 11, 2018 19:05:51 GMT -5
1 Chronicles 4:9,10 "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 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."
Books have been written about this prayer, claiming that there is something special about it, and that if we follow it's pattern, we will be granted the desires of our heart. When I read it, I just see the actions of a single individual named Jabez, a sincere prayer he prayed, and how it was answered by God. I don't see how it applies to anyone but Jabez. To me, people simply took this prayer and are making money off of a peculiar type of new revelation.
What do you think? Am I missing something here? Is there something magical about this prayer? Can we learn something from what he prayed, follow the pattern, and receive from God? Has anyone here read any of the books about how to pray this prayer? If so, what do you think about them?
|
|
|
Post by 2fw8212a on May 11, 2018 20:48:54 GMT -5
Can we learn something from what he prayed, follow the pattern, and receive from God?
Pursue love, and flee from evil."...but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all." - Mark 10:43-44
"And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." - Romans 6:18
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45
"Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name..." - Philippians 2:9
|
|
PG4Him
Senior Member
Essay Moderator
Posts: 3,570
|
Post by PG4Him on May 11, 2018 21:57:20 GMT -5
I have always thought the point of that story was him reversing the sort of curse his mother put on him. She gave him a bad name related to pain from delivery. He turned that curse into a blessing. I have never thought his prayer was a formula for success, only an earnest cry for someone scorned by man to find favor with God.
|
|
|
Post by John on May 11, 2018 22:09:03 GMT -5
I have always thought the point of that story was him reversing the sort of curse his mother put on him. She gave him a bad name related to pain from delivery. He turned that curse into a blessing. I have never thought his prayer was a formula for success, only an earnest cry for someone scorned by man to find favor with God. It never would have occurred to me to think of his prayer as relating to anyone but him, until that book came out, followed by a new and seemingly crazy teaching. I guess that prayer was a formula for success for the author of that book about the prayer.
|
|
PG4Him
Senior Member
Essay Moderator
Posts: 3,570
|
Post by PG4Him on May 12, 2018 8:22:41 GMT -5
That time around 2000 was when this prosperity gospel started going really mainstream.
|
|
|
Post by frienduff on May 12, 2018 8:56:47 GMT -5
All I keep hearing are these words . Worry not over these things , Our Father already knows what we have need of , not greed of , and He will simply provide our needs . And godliness with contentment is great gain . And also ponder this . One man had told the Lord about his inheritance and to tell his brother to divide it with him. And JESUS had said, BEWARE of covetousness for a mans life consists NOT in the abundance of what he possess. What two works stick out . LIFE and Abundance . a mans LIFE consists not in the abundance of what he possess. beware of covetousness. I say that because look what the prosperity preaches have done . THEY use the phrase And He will give us the abundant life, BUT DO SO to honor they love of money. THEY are in the bars of the prison of coveteousness and take that verse and make it contradict JESUS stern warning about NOT being covetous . Its a wicked thing going on . And we must be on double duty guard against it . Anyway throw those hands up to the LORD and praise the LORD.
|
|
|
Post by 2fw8212a on May 12, 2018 11:09:56 GMT -5
Anyway throw those hands up to the LORD and praise the LORD. People who focuses too much on possessions and wealth, and boast about it like: I'm follower of Christ, look at my prosperity.
OK, but what about prosperity in the spiritual sense?! Very few people want it, and the poor are getting it.
Then, the poor becomes rich - spiritually, in faith - and the rich now is poor."...For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind." - John 9:39Obviously, there are exceptions. Few exceptions.Actually, it is not riches but rather spiritual pride - in this case connected to trust in material riches - that prevents the person to see and embrace the truth."Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:3And those who are indeed rich "Praise the Lord!", and in all circumstances. "Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?" - James 2:5God bless you all in Jesus' name!
|
|