"Lessons in Prayer from an Unlikely Teacher" 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

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

Are you ready to start this journey of Prayer with Jabez? Are you ready to move beyond the pain that defines you?

The first lesson that Jabez provides is a reminder to us that prayer itself is an act of faith. Jabez believed that his life wasn't merely defined by the circumstances around him. He was convinced that there was spiritual help available to him beyond the limitations of his existence. In other words, he was not defined and ruled by the pain in his life. So he cried out, "Oh that YOU would bless me." He knew God could change the reality/circumstances/pain of his life. He expected God to do it. It was an act of Faith.

Prayer is an act of faith that affirms: #1 that you believe God is there.

I have a friend who is a pastor and his little girl, age 6 is just learning to write and she writes letters to practice. He came across one letter she had written to God. This was her prayer: Dear God, Whatz up?!" I love that. To her, God's presence was as real as a buddy down the street. Jabez believed God was there.

Secondly, his prayer affirms that Jabez understood he needed God. That's where a real prayer life begins: believing God is there and knowing that you need him. See, there was an urgency within Jabez. He didn't want to just go through life on his own. He wanted God in his life. So he prayed.

Do you believe God is there? Recent stats indicate 95% of Americans believe in God! That's good. That's a start. But look James 2:19, "Do you still think it's enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror!"

Faith is really more than just believing that there is 'a god' out there. Faith begins with what you do with Jesus. Our world is full of people who are searching, seeking, inquiring about God. It was the same way when Jesus lived. Listen to what Jesus said to all those who were trying to find God. John 5, "You search the Scriptures, for you believe they give you eternal life. And the Scriptures point to me! Yet you won't come to me so that I can give you this life eternal!"

If you want your life to change from just an ordinary existence to extraordinary living it begins with a step of Faith...that begins with Jesus. You need to come to him believing that He is God's son, He is the way to God, He is your hope of salvation. See Jabez stood out from the crowd, because of his great faith in God. He really believed. He staked his future on God. That's where extraordinary living begins: you step out on faith.