The Prayer of Jabez
The Prayer of Jabez is one of the most intriguing and daring short prayers found in the Bible. Although it appears only briefly in the Old Testament, its depth, simplicity and boldness have inspired millions of people. At the same time, it has stirred debate, especially around prosperity-gospel interpretations. In this article, we’ll look closely at the original context, who Jabez was and how this prayer can be used wisely and biblically in everyday faith.
Prayer of Jabez scripture
The prayer appears in a part of 1 Chronicles which contains mostly genealogies (lists of names that trace Israel’s history). In the middle of these lists, the writer pauses to highlight one man: Jabez. His story is only one verse long, but it shines with spiritual meaning.
It says: “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.” (1 Chronicles 4:10)
In Hebrew, Jabez (יַעְבֵּץ) means "he causes sorrow" or "he makes sorrowful." The name was likely given to him by his mother because she bore him in great pain. Jabez, despite his name, chose to go directly to God with courage and hope. His brief story, appearing amongst long family lines and complex histories, shows that God sees individual lives and hears individual prayers.
Jabez prays four very specific requests:
Bless me
Expand my territory
Place your hand of power upon me
Keep me from evil
The verse concludes with a simple yet profound line: “And God granted his request.”
As we go into more details about The Prayer of Jabez, it’s helpful to remember that this prayer is not a formula. Rather, it’s a posture where we can approach God with honesty, expectation, and humility. In understanding this prayer, and its controversies, you can also pray as Jabez did: Openly and honestly.
Jabez Prayer Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 4:10
The Prayer of Jabez is found in 1 Chronicles 4:10. Here are the different Bible translations to help you grasp the tone and intent of the prayer:
NIV:
“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.”
ESV:
“Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!’ And God granted what he asked.”
NLT:
“He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!’ And God granted him his request.”
Jabez in the Bible
Jabez appears to be somewhat of a mystery, since we do not have much information about his life. Scripture, however, does give us just enough to understand how remarkable his life was:
His name means “pain” or “sorrow,” which is likely related to a difficult birth. 1 Chronicles 4:9 says, “...His mother had name Him Jabez, saying, ‘I gave birth to him in pain.’”.
Instead of accepting a painful identity, Jabez turned toward God and not away from Him.
His prayer suggests he longed to live a life that honored God, grew in purpose, and was guided and protected by God’s presence.
The emphasis is not on worldly gain but on a life marked by God’s blessing, God’s guidance, and God’s protection.
Using the Jabez prayer wisely
The Prayer of Jabez has received both appreciation and criticism. There is some controversy surrounding the interpretations of the prayer of Jabez being used for material blessing or to increase wealth. This Scripture does not support using prayers as formulas for prosperity, and the story of Jabez is no exception to this.
Criticisms on the prayer
Criticisms on the prayer
Some Christian writers have compared popular interpretations of it—such as Bruce Wilkerson’s popular book, “The Prayer of Jabez”, to the prosperity gospel. Critics suggest it can give the impression that God simply grants personal wishes, the prayer used as a “mantra” or transactional request. Other concerns focus on theology. Some point to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:7 about avoiding repetitive, formulaic prayers. The prayer also became especially popular within certain Pentecostal and Spirit-filled movements, which caused some to question whether its use had become too individualistic.
At the same time, others argue that the prayer directs people toward dependence on God rather than self-reliance. The ongoing conversation, along with the books and songs it has inspired, shows just how significant this brief biblical prayer has become.]
However, when approached with humility, the prayer holds deep spiritual value. This short devotional by Grant Fishbook shows this gentle perspective beautifully: the prayer is an invitation to ask God for His presence, His guidance, and His shaping of our lives.
A wise and biblical approach keeps a few principles in mind:
Blessings are not only material: They include wisdom, character, favor, peace, and God’s presence.
“Expand my territory”: This can mean influence, responsibility, spiritual capacity, or opportunities to serve, not only land or wealth.
Asking for God’s hand to be upon you: This is asking for His direction, protection, and leadership.
Protection from evil: This reflects a desire to walk in God’s will, not to avoid all hardship.
Used wisely, this prayer becomes a way to invite God into every part of your life, not a shortcut to prosperity but a surrender to God’s purpose. Will you pray like Jabez did today?
If you’d like to pray with someone, please always feel free to reach out to us! We’d love to pray for you and with you.
Learn how to pray
Have you ever reached out for help, only to feel as though no one is really listening? That same feeling can show up in prayer when you’re desperate for answers, unsure if you’re doing it right, or wondering whether God hears a single word you say. What if there’s a simpler, more confident way to connect? One that reminds you you’re never praying into silence?