The Prayer That Became America’s Bestselling Book

Bruce Wilkinson's The Prayer of Jabez sold 9 million copies

We have yet to see the tail end of the pandemic this year. Millions have turn into prayer as a way to cope with what is happening in our world today, including myself.

I am one with you, that while I don’t consider myself religious, I have become more spiritual this year. When life overwhelms me, I turn into prayer. I recently added to my prayer, that everything will be, Ad majórem Dei glóriam,”, or “For the Greater Glory of God”.

Ad majórem Dei glóriam

The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life

I have this book since 2001, and I have forgotten about it, until a few months into the pandemic, let me share the verses from which the book got its title. The Prayer of Jabez.

1 Chronicles 4:9–10 KJV

And Jabez was more honourable 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.

Who is Jabez?

Buried in the old testament, is the story of Jabez. Why was he mentioned in the Bible? Christians around the world can find solace, that extraordinary stories come from ordinary people.

In two verses, we know that Jabez was named as such, by his mother because she bore him in pain.

that extraordinary stories come from ordinary people

I will not judge a mother how they name their children, or how the memory of childbirth can lead a mother to name her son a name that means, sorrow or pain.

He was more honorable than his brothers. For the author of the book of Chronicles to mention that means, Jabez has found grace from God as we would later learn in the next verse.

Jabez prayed for three things.

1. Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!

Jabez asked that God bless him and enlarge his territory. While Bruce Wilkinson the author of the bestselling book, argued that this means wealth. It can also mean, asking God a life in abundance. The Bible didn’t say material wealth, but God did answer his first request.

2. Let your hand be with me,

Jabez asked that God to be with him, that God hold his hand. This is the part, that i pray for myself, that God hold my hand. I can’t do it alone. It gives me the peace of mind, that God is holding my hand, as i go throuhg this year. And God did answer his second request.

3. And keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain

Jabez asked that God protect him from harm, that he will be free from pain. As we go through our lives during the pandemic, I ask God to shield me and my family from the virus, and that by doing so will free me from pain. And God did answer his last request.

The prayer of Jabez scripture NIV

9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, c saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 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.

From two verses in the Bible, with less than 100 words, Bruce Wilkinson, author of The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life, made a book that sold millions of copies.

His interpretation of The Prayer of Jabez, may not be the only interpretation of the prayer. I always believe the message doesn’t change whoever the messenger is.

The prayer has become a very popular prayer, and it is up to you as a Christian to keep this prayer to heart.

For writers may you also find inspiration to words already spoken, in the Bible, in history, and in classics.

Let us be careful with our words, as our words can either be coming from love or hate, both can change the world, for good or for evil.