Effective Prayer

“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.”
1 Chronicles 4:10

A powerful prayer!

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man (or woman) avails much.”
James 5:16

This prayer wasn’t selfish, it wasn’t a case of asking for personal gain, no! “Lord, keep me from doing evil. Lord, do not allow me to cause pain.”

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

Jabez asked and God granted his request. If we do not ask with faith, we will not receive. God always answers heartfelt prayers. You see, his mother must have had a difficult childbirth because she said she bore him in pain, hence his name. He clearly didn’t want to cause any more pain.

Luke 7:47, Jesus says (basically) those whose sins are many that I have forgiven, love me the most - I can say “Amen” to that! I remember going into a church up in Johannesburg many years ago and there was a big sign on the front of the church: "Missionary work is gratitude for Calvary”.

John Newton wrote that beautiful hymn Amazing Grace after God had forgiven him for many sins.

Years ago, I was in the Eastern Cape and was preaching to some farmers. At half time we went to the bathroom and an old gentleman walked in and he said to me, “Son when you preach, you don’t have to sweat so much.”
I said to him, “Sir, you haven’t seen anything yet - Wait for the second half!”

What is it today that you are requiring from the Lord?

Well, simply by faith, ask Him and then start thanking Him in advance for the answered request. The Lord loves us so much. He wants to bless us and all we need to do is say, “Lord,” in an unselfish way, “ these are my prayer needs. Please help me.” And He will... I am a testimony of that.

God bless you and have a wonderful Sunday.