Receiving God's Grace Through Prayer

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NKJV)- 9 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

I. INTRODUCTION

1 Chronicles provides the lineage of the twelve tribes of Israel, named after the sons of Jacob.

II. (vs.9): Who was Jabez?

A. Jabez was a descendent of Judah:

B. He was more honorable than his brethren (siblings, kinsmen) see ch. 2:3,7 & Josh. 7:21-25

1. passive voice meaning he was the recipient of this esteem which suggests that he was a humble man.

C. he was a man of faith and a praying man whereby he recognized God, as his God.

D. we can conclude that Jabez lived his life in a manner that he felt that he could approach God without any reservations.

III. (vs.10): What did Jabez pray for? What Did God Do?

A. He prays for two specific blessings:

1. he prays for God’s provision

2. he prays for God’s protection

B. God judges Jabez’s motives and extends His grace/favor toward Jabez and his family and grants his requests

IV. SIMILARITIES BETWEEN JABEZ’S & JESUS’ PRAYER

A. Jabez honors God as the “God of Israel. Jesus taught to honor God as “Father”

“our Father who art in heaven, hallow be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

B. Jabez prays for God’s provision. Jesus taught, “give us this day our daily bread.”

C. Jabez prays for his family. Jesus taught to pray for others also: "forgive us our debts and we forgive our debtors."

D. Jabez prayed for God's protection. Jesus taught to pray for God's protection: "and deliver us from evil."

E. Jesus taught us to honor God for what He will do: "for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory..."

V. Conclusion

A. When seeking God's grace through prayer, come with honorable motives,

B. God by His grace, will turn your circumstances from sorrow to praise: Jabez means sorrow and Judea means praise

C.