Prayer of Jabez - Enlarge My Territory
We are back home and getting settled in from a most amazing trip! Have you ever visited South Africa? Now I can say that I have and I so thoroughly enjoyed it. South Africa was so much more than I thought it would be. In the journey, I learned a very important truth - that is - when you pray the Prayer of Jabez . . . you better be ready to travel far away - where ever God wants you to go!
1 Chronicles 4:10:
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. NKJV
Prior to this trip, the farthest I had traveled out of the US was Canada or Jamaica. The 16 hours direct flight from Atlanta, GA is not for the faint of heart. But, the sights, sounds, fragrance and the people of Africa were worth every moment of the journey there and the equally long journey home. African hospitality is a hospitality unlike anything in the US, and the scenery was breathtaking. We had the opportunity to travel into Pilansberg National Park and see this statuesque giraffe, as well as zebra, kudu, impala, black backed jackal, crocodile, white rhino and so many more amazing animals. Oh, and I cannot forget the baboons and monkeys who jumped the bush lodge fence and came to visit the guests in their rooms or on their decks.
In all of this enjoyment of the beautiful country of South Africa, the real purpose for my visit came to light late one night. We had a wonderful evening with our South African friends, including a traditional South African meal of oxtail cooked to perfect. A very rare thunderstorm including hail and lighting rounded out our night in Petroria. When we returned to the hotel, we came across a young man who was working extremely hard to service guests. As we chatted with him, a man in our company asked him if he was saved, if he had given his life to Christ. Unfortunately, the young man said that he had given his life to Christ at one point, but that he was no longer serving the Lord because his years of prayers had gone unanswered. We talked to the young man for hours interrupted by his frequent trips to deliver room service to guests. As we continued to talk to him, we learned that he had prayed for God to increase his income so that he could afford to do more than pay his bills and eat mere sustenance. You see, each night, he delivered hot meals of hotel quality food to guests from around the world, yet he ate bread and butter. He worked hard to do an excellent job and prayed for God to hear him and answer his prayers. Unfortunately, he did not see the answer to his prayers manifest in his life, and was certain that God would never answer his prayers, so there was no use in praying or following in His ways.
In the current US and world economy, this young man is for from the only person who is suffering with this very same feeling. A feeling that God cannot not hear our prayers for increase and release, or that He simply does not choose to answer. If you are struggling with this feeling, know that it is just that, a feeling and not the reality of your future. Do not lose heart! The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob can hear you and He will answer your prayers. Today, I encourage you to not only pray to God for what you want, but also to repent for your sins and start speaking blessing and favor over your life. Your tongue has the power of life and death within it, and your decision to stop speaking about what you do not have, and start speaking about the life you want will help to bring your desired life into existence.
I encourage you to pray these scriptures out loud:
1) Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:10) See above.
2) I am blessed by the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 115:15)
3) You LORD will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround me with a shield. (Psalm 5:12)
The list of blessings to speak over your life is limitless. Just speak them out according to the word of God. I encourage you to visit http://www.biblegateway.com and look up words of blessing specific to your situation. Change the scripture to the first person and speak the blessing about yourself as a child of God. You may not see a change instantly, but you will feel it in your spirit, and in His timing your faith confessions over your life in accordance with His word will result in a change in your life. Believe and receive!
Have a Blessed & Fruitful Day,
Lisa LeaSure
Living Water Home Spa Shop
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