Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn’t rain, and it didn’t—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again. The more faithful a person is devoted in doing right for God the more fervent and faithful the prayer being said is. God hears all prayers. We want to always be open and honest with God for he knows everything before we tell him anything so he already know and knows when you’re lying. You also want to be honest with those who you discuss prayer with so that then can prayer properly over you and for you. The prayer of a righteous person has great power and creates wonderful results.
Psalm 42:5 Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and
Ask yourself…Why am I discouraged? why is my heart burdened? Say I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again.
People do something for God’s work and do something so spectacular they honor it for many a time however sometimes that special thing becomes something devastating as well after such honor and pride. When it’s work for the Lord we must remember that when something was special to us for one reason or another making it so spectacular that God was working through us to create it and when it’s just as spectacular for him as well he may end up using it for other reasons that only he knows about to use it for more good and we may have been for a moment merely just a vessel to give him a tool for more work he’s doing that only he knows about but it is still spectacular even in his eyes for him to want to again use it for one of his very own tools. So it’s good for good and although it devastates us it’s meant to make us proud for we did it out of honor and even better than we had thought ourselves to have done for the master himself had his very own use for it as well just like Noah and the ark he told Noah to build a BIG ark for he and his family then he told him to gather two of every animal because he had another use for it and not just for Noah’s family. It can be discouraging but turn that discouragement into prayer for it to help someone God is using it for and to turn the discouragement to praise that it was honorable enough that God wanted to use it as a prop. That means in his eyes it was accepted. Don’t be discouraged be strong for your honor is in God and his honor is in the work that you do.He has something even better for what good has already been spectacular work. Better use that even we know for only he knows what for.
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
At the end of it all the only way to enter the gates of Heaven and come to the father is with Christ. He is the direction, the truth and the way. Open your life to him and put your trust in him. That you may be saved through Christ who saved all of us by dieing on the cross. Jesus wants to guide you and lead you in all areas of your life. He wants a relationship with you as a friend, mentor, and teacher. He wants to hear all that’s in your heart. Begin your relationship today with him and open you soul to a new journey in him.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
My friends don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let requests and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.
Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and put you at peace. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ takes the place at the center of your life. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. You will experience an abundance of miracles and blessings of you pray and talk with God regularly. He will find favor in you for putting him first above all the ungodly things and all the world and it’s laws and following by God’s laws. Open your hearts and mind to expecting that anything could happen and be accepting to what life gives you and perceptive about the outcomes then you will begin to see God at work in your life regularly and his answers to your prayer. If you read my last post it was about a man called Jabez and the book”The Prayer Of Jabez” for those who don’t know who Jabez is he was a man of very strong faith in God who was only mentioned in the Bible three times. He was very fervent in prayer with the simplest prayer. You yourself could use his prayer as many others have begun to do. You could say and ask any prayer. God will hear you in heaven no matter what you say and he will be observant of what you ask and say and what your needs are.
Jabez was a better man than his brothers, a man of honor. His mother had named him Jabez (Oh, the pain!), saying, “A painful birth! I bore him in great pain!” Jabez prayed to the God of Israel: “Bless me, O bless me! Give me land, large tracts of land. And provide your personal protection—don’t let evil hurt me.” God gave him what he asked.
God always blessed Jabez in everything and every way for he was always finding favor in Jabez for his denomination and conviction in Him. He was not a rich man obviously not a well known man to any of us in any means only being found in the Bible three times; but he was a very loyal, devoted believer in God’s laws and covenant. A man you always followed his commandments and for his fervent prayer and faithful lifestyles was always prosperous. We need to be more like Jabez and have strong unbroken faith in God to truly survive and be recognized and given reverence and glory from God. I challenge you to start talking to God in prayer at least once a day, you could even use the prayer of Jabez which is so easy a prayer. Do this each and every day and write down the blessings and responses that you see happening in your life around you. Then if you would like to come back in a while later and just leave us a comment or email us letting us know how your prayer life is coming along. By speaking a with God regularly you will begin to become more observant of the things taking place around you in your daily life. He will show you favor and guide your life and decisions within it. I pray that’s you take this step of faith and become more fervent in your walk with Christ in Jesus name I pray amen.
14-16 If you’re abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It’s the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they’re on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that’s a different matter. But if it’s because you’re a Christian, don’t give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!
1 Peter 4:16 New Living Translation (NLT)
16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!
We live a life of mockery with our lives; living with Christ. We are reliving His shoes for getting mocked and ridiculed for being a Christian but Don’t stray away or back down. That is show we get the word out and spread the gospel. That is how witness happens. Honor him and witness to the lost who may be astray or unknown. Be proud that you are who you are, that you are a Christian. Share the news and support others.
Who was Jabez? He is only mentioned 3 times in the Bible. The first is in 1 Chronicles 2:55 where Jabez is the name of a town: “And the clans of scribes who lived at Jabez…” This town in Judah was apparently located near Bethlehem. Then Jabez is mentioned again in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10: “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, ‘I gave birth to him in pain.’ 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.”
The name Jabez means “he causes pain,” so we can assume that something about his birth was exceptionally more painful than the usual birth – either physically or emotionally. In Bible times, a name was very important. A name often defined a person’s future – what they would become. So perhaps Jabez’s mother was predicting her baby’s future.
It seems as if Jabez defied his hopeless name and dysfunctional beginning to become a man who believed fervently in the power of God. He prayed with urgency and vulnerability. He cried out to the Lord with boldness!
Jabez was honored because of his relationship with God. In fact, 1 Chronicles 4:9 says, “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers…” The record of the genealogy of Judah was interrupted to bring us these details about Jabez. His relationship with God must have been exceptionally noteworthy to cause the author of Chronicles to stop and elaborate on this one man’s life.
Who was Jabez? By putting ourselves in the place of the original readers, we can learn a lot from genealogies like the one in which Jabez is mentioned. “The writer of Chronicles used this list of names to show how God has chosen Israel for a prominent role in history. He wanted to encourage those who had just returned from exile and were struggling to rebuild their ruined nation. These names showed that God accomplished his purposes through their ancestors-before David, Moses or even Abraham. In fact, God’s plan began with Adam.”1The genealogy showed that God’s purpose was still in effect! The nation of Israel was His chosen people and they had been given the promised land for a reason.
God had a purpose of Israel and He had a purpose for Jabez. This righteous man wanted God’s blessing to be fulfilled. What about you? Do you want God’s plan for your life? He has a distinct purpose for you. Why not pray that God will bless you indeed!
Prayer of Jabez: What is it? The Prayer of Jabez comes from the Bible. In 1 Chronicles 4:10, we read: “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” The prayer is composed of four parts. First, Jabez asks God to bless him. Second, he asks God to enlarge his territory or increase his responsibility. Third, he prays that God will be with him and stay close. Lastly, Jabez asks that God keep him from harm so that he will be free from pain.
Prayer of Jabez: Why is it important? The Prayer of Jabez reveals that Jabez understands what many people do not — there is only one God and He should be the center of our work God wants to bless every life. But, we must first make the choice to invite God into our life and ask for His blessings. Jabez wants to succeed and increase his sphere of influence for God. The specific sphere of influence is not important. What is important is that when we want to reach for goals and accomplishments that we have God on our side. Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” It is critical to understand and practice this in a close relationship with God. Further, it is equally important to stay close to God and rely on His continued support and guidance throughout life. Jabez clearly knows and prays specifically to the One who can protect him from evil and pain — God. At the end of the verse it is clear that God approved of this faithful prayer by granting it. It is also important to see that Jabez was passionate in his plea to God: “He cried out to the God of Israel.” God wants to hear that we need Him through passionate prayer.
Prayer of Jabez: What does it mean to you? The Prayer of Jabez reminds us that everybody struggles with choosing to rely on himself or God. Whether you are a focused Christian or just searching to find out more about God, life is a growing process. However, it is very clear in reviewing the Prayer of Jabez, as well as the rest of the Bible, that God is faithful in caring for those who seek Him. Jabez sets a great example of how God wants everyone to come to Him through constant and passionate prayer. If you are looking to start a relationship with God or improve your existing relationship with Him, start with prayer. God answers prayers when you trust Him (1 Chronicles 5:20). Prayers to God also please Him (Proverbs 15:8). We can all learn from Jabez and faithfully pray to God always in everything that we do.
Prayer of Jabez: The Book by Bruce WilkinsonThe Prayer of Jabez is covered in phenomenal detail by Bruce Wilkinson in his book of the same name. We highly encourage you to read this fantastic and inspiring resource, that challenges each of us to.
God speaks to Solomon in these verses of the lifestyles,faith and healing of the land saying
◦ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
When David Solomon’s father’s death was nearing David said to his Son
1 Kings 2:1-4 The Message (MSG)
2 1-4 When David’s time to die approached, he charged his son Solomon, saying, “I’m about to go the way of all the earth, but you—be strong; show what you’re made of! Do what God tells you. Walk in the paths he shows you: Follow the life-map absolutely, keep an eye out for the signposts, his course for life set out in the revelation to Moses; then you’ll get on well in whatever you do and wherever you go.
Saying I am about to die but I want you to carry on and be strong. Be proud of who you are show the world what you are made of! Do all that God commands you. Follow in his lead. Keep eye out for the signs and visions his course for the life journey shall set out. For when you follow in these steps I tell you son then you shall prosper and succeed in whatever you and wherever you go in your life.
2 chronicles then says
2 Chronicles 7 New Living Translation (NLT)
The Lord’s Response to Solomon
11 So Solomon finished the Temple of the Lord, as well as the royal palace. He completed everything he had planned to do in the construction of the Temple and the palace. 12 Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said,
“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. 13 At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. 14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 15 My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. 16 For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.
17 “As for you, if you faithfully follow me as David your father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations, 18 then I will establish the throne of your dynasty. For I made this covenant with your father, David, when I said, ‘One of your descendants will always rule over Israel.’
Solomon went about his life and it became his desire to build God’s house before his own. It took Solomon thirteen years before his house was finished, he also built God’s temple 6 At the end of twenty years, Solomon had quite a list of accomplishments. He had:
built The Temple of God and his own palace;
rebuilt the cities that Hiram had given him and colonized them with Israelites. He continued to do what God spoke to him and was successful in all he did. 2 Chronicles 7 says
2 Chronicles 7 New Living Translation (NLT)
The Lord’s Response to Solomon
11 So Solomon finished the Temple of the Lord, as well as the royal palace. He completed everything he had planned to do in the construction of the Temple and the palace. 12 Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said,
“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. 13 At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. 14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 15 My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. 16 For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.
17 “As for you, if you faithfully follow me as David your father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations, 18 then I will establish the throne of your dynasty. For I made this covenant with your father, David, when I said, ‘One of your descendants will always rule over Israel.’
God spoke to Solomon in verse 12-17 saying
12 Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said,
“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. 13 At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. 14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 15 My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. 16 For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.
17 “As for you, if you faithfully follow me as David your father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations, 18 then I will establish the throne of your dynasty. For I made this covenant with your father, David, when I said, ‘One of your descendants will always rule over Israel.’
2 Chronicles 7:14-18 The Message (MSG)
12-18 God appeared to Solomon that very night and said, “I accept your prayer; yes, I have chosen this place as a temple for sacrifice, a house of worship. If I ever shut off the supply of rain from the skies or order the locusts to eat the crops or send a plague on my people, and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I’ll be there ready for you: I’ll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health. From now on I’m alert day and night to the prayers offered at this place. Believe me, I’ve chosen and sanctified this Temple that you have built: My Name is stamped on it forever; my eyes are on it and my heart in it always. As for you, if you live in my presence as your father David lived, pure in heart and action, living the life I’ve set out for you, attentively obedient to my guidance and judgments, then I’ll back your kingly rule over Israel—make it a sure thing on a sure foundation. The same covenant guarantee I gave to David your father I’m giving to you, namely, ‘You can count on always having a descendant on Israel’s throne.’
As he heard Solomon’s prayer God says in 2 chronicles 14-16
2 Chronicles 7 New Living Translation (NLT)
14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 15 My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. 16 For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.
For God was angry saying if people come humbly to me and state their prayer requests, look for me while they are silent, and turn from their ungodly sinful desires and lifestyles I God will hear them from heaven, I will forgive them of all their sins and will heal the land of theirs. I am always observing and watching you and what you do and where you travel, I listen in depth to your words of need and what you pray in this holy temple. For I have chosen to be holy it is a place where people will stand in honor and respect of me forever. I will continue to watch over it always for it is special and adored in my heart. So we return back to verse 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
“If there is a famine in the land or a plague or crop disease or attacks of locusts or caterpillars, or if your people’s enemies are in the land besieging their towns—whatever disaster or disease there is—
37 “If there is a famine in the land or a plague or crop disease or attacks of locusts or caterpillars, or if your people’s enemies are in the land besieging their towns—whatever disaster or disease there is— 38 and if your people Israel pray about their troubles, raising their hands toward this Temple, 39 then hear from heaven where you live, and forgive. Give your people what their actions deserve, for you alone know each human heart. 40 Then they will fear you as long as they live in the land you gave to our ancestors.
“If there is a famine in the land or a plague or crop disease or attacks of locusts or caterpillars, or if your people’s enemies are in the land besieging their towns—whatever disaster or disease there is—
26 “If the skies are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and if they pray toward this Temple and acknowledge your name and turn from their sins because you have punished them, 27 then hear from heaven and forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them to follow the right path, and send rain on your land that you have given to your people as their special possession.
28 “If there is a famine in the land or a plague or crop disease or attacks of locusts or caterpillars, or if your people’s enemies are in the land besieging their towns—whatever disaster or disease there is— 29 and if your people Israel pray about their troubles or sorrow, raising their hands toward this Temple, 30 then hear from heaven where you live, and forgive. Give your people what their actions deserve, for you alone know each human heart. 31 Then they will fear you and walk in your ways as long as they live in the land you gave to our ancestors.
In Solomon’s prayer of dedication he gives exact example of that which causes God’s anger, peoples living ungodly lifestyles and pushing him away ignoring his commands he goes on to ask that if the people changed the way of the lifestyles would he remove the sick land of all the locusts, disease and plagues and make it healthy again.
All of these scriptures are speaking about trusting God’s words he has told us and being faithful in godly ways spending more time with him and hearing his commands in prayer then he will listen and remove the ill land in their faithfulness and restoring its health.
These things we are reading are exact example of the life we are in right now, with the government removing God from the schools and work place and people remaining in their sinful lifestyles and desires forgetting all about God showing him that he doesn’t matter in their lives and he has brought the land to being sick from one end of the world to the other in plagues and disease so now is time where you should spend more time in His word and more time in prayer like David and Solomon express. For only faith and showing God he IS part in our lives will he not be angered anymore and will heal and revive the land be faithful in prayer and think before you act for what would be honoring and impressing to God so that he will be proud and heal and restore the land. We are going to continue living troubled times if we as spiritual believers continue to follow the earthly law and lifestyles instead of God’s law and a godly lifestyle as he told us by his word to do. Only then will he look down on us and change his troubles and tribulations that we live in. Things may seem scary now however they will only get worse. I know how hard it is not to have fear through this but remind yourself that in so many stories God tells us not to fear and that he is with us and we shall be safe. This troubled life should be looked at in praise,glory and hope. For it is a reminder of hope that Jesus second return will arrive soon, it is Glory that several of mankind who still lives in sinful ways may soon realize their lifestyles and change while others have strayed from God pushing him away and will lean strong back on their faith again, and praise for these are happenings in which Jesus spoke about of God’s rule that would have to take place before Jesus second return to earth. However it is also praise because that means we are coming so much closer to being with Christ and gaining our merit of eternal life with him as he promised. Yet we need to realize these things and see that all this is good and turn the fears to prayers and ask for God’s peace and guidance through the fear which entangles is by Satan. I’ll be honest yes I speak all this knowledge about all these scriptures I write on with you but I admit fear is one of my falters also it is hard especially when it’s new territories and unknown travel and unknown land. But remember the best calm for fear is faith over fear with lots of fervent and intimate prayer and giving God your time again.
There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. 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.
So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet.
And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
“Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands.
John 17:3-5 The Message (MSG)
Jesus’ Prayer for His Followers
17 1-5 Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said:
Father, it’s time.
Display the bright splendor of your Son
So the Son in turn may show your bright splendor.
You put him in charge of everything human
So he might give real and eternal life to all in his charge.
And this is the real and eternal life:
That they know you,
The one and only true God,
And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
I glorified you on earth
By completing down to the last detail
What you assigned me to do.
And now, Father, glorify me with your very own splendor,
13-15 My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening. And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.
My purpose in sharing this writing with you is simple that if you believe in God’s Son will beyond all knowledge will prepare you eternal life for he promised that, this is the reality not an illusion.
It states that in John 17 verse 3 this
John 17:3 New Living Translation (NLT)
3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.
so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
And how fearless and free we become in his presence open and free in the mind willingly asking according to his will, knowing ghat he is listening. If we are confident he is listening, know that what we requested in His name shall be given as ours. He promises what we ask we shall receive.
“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
For Jesus will not make you allow you to be in despair and overwhelmed knowing that you’re in need of something you ask and let down by him for always comes through even if not right away.
Romans 12:12 New International Version (NIV)
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
NLT
12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Romans 12:12-13 The Message (MSG)
11-13 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
Do not let your fire that burns singe and don’t allow oneself to wear a shadow, keep yourselves fueled and burning. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Do not give up and turn from hard times; do not walk away instead pray more fervent prayers and even harder. He needy Christians; be inventive and abundant in hospitality.
In thus we go back to 1 John again which says
1 John 5:14-15 New Living Translation (NLT)
14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.
So always ask even if you don’t receive an answer immediately he will provide to your needs.
Living Water Ministries 