The Prayer of Jabez: Faith In Christ, Not in Prayer

"The Prayer of Jabez" was a popular devotional piece released by Bruce Wilkinson in 2000.

There, he analyzes the little-known, or at least easily-overlooked, prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4: 9-10.

In his book, he encouraged believers to pray big prayers, to believe great things from God, and that he would use every believer willing to trust him.

Of course, the notion that we should pray anything for a number of times flies contrary to Jesus' teachings in the Sermon:

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." (Matthew 6: 7)

Then why does God hear us? Because He has promised to do so, because of the death of His Son:

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:" (1 John 5: 14)

We know that we ask things according to His will because He has written His laws on our hearts and  mind (Hebrews 8: 10).

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8: 26)

and

"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 34)

We need not worry that the things that we want in our heart will be contrary to the will of God:

"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)

We have the confidence to enter boldly into the throne of grace and request what is on our hearts because of Jesus, our high priest who sits at the right hand of the father and makes intercession for us to His Father and our Father:

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4: 14-16)

It is because of Jesus Christ, who has imparted to every believer His Holy Spirit (Acts 2: 33), that He is within us (Colossians 1: 27), and that we may become sons of God like the First-born from the dead (John 1: 12)