Jabez haters better understand this.

[Extirpated Wildlife]

What is with the Prayer of Jabez haters? Have you not read the book? This is not a name it and claim it book. This is a book about allowing God to use you. This isnt about expanding your wealth or how much you own. Its about expanding your "area for the work of God" Territory. Its about allowing God to use you when you might not have been used by God before saying this prayer. You don't have to say this specific prayer. But it is a way to express to God that you want to be used by God. That you want Him to open your eyes to where He is already working.

Because you are missing alot of opportunities God would have used use in, just because you didnt ask God to allow you to be apart of what he is doing.

 

[seebs]

I'm pretty sure God can use me whether or not I use any particular series of words to ask.

 

[DaveKerwin]

Do me a favor, read the introductory page, it made me want to puke.

I could write a 20 page paper about my problems with the prayer of jabez books.

 

[Extirpated Wildlife]

I've had no problems with it. And in fact, I was amazed at the group of us that began praying this and how many times within a month we had chances to share with people the Love of Christ.

 

[* kittie *]

i don't think they hate it. they just feel that any prayer will work...not just a specific one like Jabez.

 

[Extirpated Wildlife]

blue...

I can respect that position. I just don't understand when people knock this book.

 

[dignitized]

quizzler: most fundamentalist have a biased adversion to any prayer that is not freeform. Many of them will not even pray the Our Father.

 

[Susan]

I do not hate the prayer of Jabez, nor do I oppose non-freeform prayers as long as freeform prayers are allowed too.

However, my problem with the Prayer of Jabez is the overmarketing and the WordFaith/magical approach that too many people sadly take to it.

IMHO, the prayer of Jabez is no better or worse than any prayer elsewhere in the Old Testament, and probably even better than some.

However, I would also recommend, if you're into Bible prayers, some New Testament prayers. Although I am not Catholic by any means, the Magnificant (sp?) in Luke and the Lord's Prayer/Our Father are wonderful prayers and definitely not restricted from Protestants as both are praises/ prayers to God. Also, the prayer of Stephen, while not one we can pray unless dying, is definitely one of the deepest examples of the principle of abiding trust in God.

 

[Anthony]

The Prayer of Jabez in the Bible is fine, exploitation for profit, and the repackaging of it over and over again is not.


Here is the Preface

Dear Reader,

I want to teach you how to pray a daring prayer that God always answers. It is brief --- only one sentence with four parts --- and tucked away in the Bible. But I believe it contains the key to a life of extraordinary favor with God.

This petition has radically changed what I expect from God and what I experience every day His power. In fact, thousands of believers who are applying it truths are seeing miracles happen on a regular basis.

Will you join me for a personal exploration of Jabez?

 

[seebs]

Onion Headline: "God answers prayer of paralyzed little boy: No."

 

[Blackhawk]

Originally posted by Br. Max
quizzler: most fundamentalist have a biased adversion to any prayer that is not freeform. Many of them will not even pray the Our Father.

true but false.  True many will confuse a passage of sripture about "vain reppetition" and think that one can't repeat any prayer verbatim at any time.  However I think many here, myself included, do not like the prayer of Jabez because it is like some sort of mantra that if you say it so many times you will get stuff.  It confuses that it is not prayer that has any power it is who wee are praying to that does.  So I do not have to go to God chanting some prayer everyday for God to bless me.  Possibly I could sometimes but it would not be for everyone.  The prayer of Jabez has no power to make God do anything above another prayer that is freeform.  So I am not going against the praying the prayer itself just the attitude that I can get this by praying this one specific prayer so many times. 

 

[Evangelion]

"A prayer that God always answers", eh?

Anyone want to tell me why that's not "name it and claim it"?

 

[Jenna]

Well, it is my belief that God always answers EVERY prayer, including the so called prayer of Jabez. That doesn't mean that it happens in the way that WE want it to, but it does happen. I don't see there being anything wrong with the statement made by the introduction to the book, aside from the fact that it demeans the value of heartfelt prayer by trying to replace it with a "sure-fire method". That is the way that marketing works though, as sad as it is. *shrugs*

Just a side note: I haven't read any "prayer of Jabez" books. I have read the verses in the bible, but have not purchased any of the books on the subject.

 

[seebs]

I think the problem is that "a prayer that God always answers" implies ideas like:

1. This set of words has the supernatural power to compell God.
2. God doesn't normally answer prayers, but likes this one; He's capricious that way.
3. There are other prayers which God doesn't answer, because their words are inappropriate.

I'd bet on a heartfelt prayer using made-up nonsense words over an insincere attempt to use any particular set of words.

I don't like the impression that this prayer is "special"; it's a set of words.

 

[Extirpated Wildlife]

Originally posted by seebs
I don't like the impression that this prayer is "special"; it's a set of words.

I see no difference in what i have experienced in God working through me when applying this verse and others i know that have used this verse, and us as Christians teling trying to share what Christ means to us in our lives.

It appears that the Jabez haters are no different than lost people in certain ways.

You don't have to say this prayer. But you can apply the principles. And you wll see what they mean by answered prayers.


And if anyone wants to question the experience i have had with this prayer and the other 4 or 5 people i know, Just come on.

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT.

I've seen it at work. I've heard others talk about how it works, and their exeriences.

And do you Jabez haters not like Experiencing God book either? You know that they tell you to ask God to show you where he is working already so that you can be involved.

 

[seebs]

I am not denying that you may well get results using this prayer - I just don't see what the set of words used has to do with it. Try asking God in your own words; you'll get the same results or better, I'd guess.

 

[Baptistgal]

I haven't read the book either...but I was thinking. If you are praying a prayer with the expectation that God will then show you how you can serve Him more aren't you then going to be looking more for those opportunities?

I also am very wary of those who say that saying a certain set of words will have some kind of magical effect on God. But sometimes when we pray it is as much for our own self as it is to talk to God. Did that make sense?

I guess what I'm trying to say is that maybe saying that prayer actually made a change within your own mind....you (or whoever else) then started looking for more opportunities to serve God. I'm pretty sure that God gives opportunities to those who want them.

 

[Extirpated Wildlife]

This is for SEEB and Baptistgal. By the way, i go to a Baptist church too.

Originally posted by Baptistgal
I haven't read the book either...but I was thinking. If you are praying a prayer with the expectation that God will then show you how you can serve Him more aren't you then going to be looking more for those opportunities?

That's a big part of it. But also, doors open where you are not looking as well. Now when these doors open you notice. This is similar to the "Experiencing God" prayer of asking God to reveal where he is already working.

I also am very wary of those who say that saying a certain set of words will have some kind of magical effect on God. But sometimes when we pray it is as much for our own self as it is to talk to God. Did that make sense?

You dont have to have a canned prayer. But Catholics have them. They use Canned prayers all the time. I don't see the difference. Canned prayers are not bad. I am coming to realize this. You can say a non-canned prayer and not mean it just as well as a canned prayer. A canned prayer helps you focus on things you might forget to ask God about.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that maybe saying that prayer actually made a change within your own mind....you (or whoever else) then started looking for more opportunities to serve God. I'm pretty sure that God gives opportunities to those who want them.

You say a prayer like the Jabez prayer everyday for a month. See if you don't see a difference. If not, then stop.

 

[Andrew]

quizzler,

Those who condemn the Prayer of Jabez book are usu those who are against WOF -- healing, prosperity, confession of the Word etc. A paradigm shift in their thinking is required if you expect them to agree with you.

I have no problems with the prayer of Jabez, neither do other WOF Christians I know here on the forum, neither did my ex-traditional methodist church, for they encouraged the reading of the book.

If God has shown revealed something to you, use it, be blessed. Share with those who will hear, quit trying to persuade those who will only trample on your pearls.

 

[Extirpated Wildlife]

Originally posted by Andrew
quizzler,

Those who condemn the Prayer of Jabez book are usu those who are against WOF....

I agree here. But its the WOF that give the Jabez book a bad wrap. Because the WOF are decievers.

The prayer of Jabez is not about healing. Its not about prosperity. Its not about "confession of the Word".

Its about being used by God to see others come to Christ.