TOPIC: PRAYER

Considering current events in our country, I felt led to gear this Bible study toward a topic rather than a particular book of the Bible—the topic of Prayer.

I have used the New American Standard Version for this study.

1 Chronicles 4:10 "Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!" And God granted him what he requested."

Who was this man, Jabez?

This is the family lineage of King David. Therefore, Jabez would have been considered within the royal family, and possibly a contender for the throne. His father was Ashhur, who had two wives, one of which was Jabez’s mother, Helah. (The entire lineage of King David to this point is shown in 1 Chronicles 2-4.)

We presume he had a difficult life when growing up. Names were much more important during that time in history than now. Today when we name our children, we choose cute or pretty names, or something that sounds good. Back then names were chosen for their meaning—and everyone knew something about you by the meaning of your name. It may have meant you were someone’s son or you were destined to a certain career.

But ‘Jabez’ was named because he ‘caused pain’ or ‘caused sorrow’. 1 Chronicles 4:9 tells us his mother named him Jabez saying “Because I bore Him with pain.”

Consider how mean children can be. Even a normal name can take on some terrible meaning when children start heckling on the playground, like “hairy Larry” or “plain Jane” or any number of rhymes.

Human nature hasn’t changed through the centuries. We still love and hate, laugh and cry, and children will always be children. So back when names had meanings that were so obvious, imagine how cruel the children probably were to ‘Jabez’ as he was growing up.

Another thing we know about Jabez is he prayed a very simple prayer—AND GOD ANSWERED IT!!! This is the point here.

God gave him the blessings he asked for. 1 Chronicles 2:55 tells us there was a place named Jabez and also that Jabez’s offspring were scribes and Kenites (descendants of Hobab, Moses’ brother-in-law that later merged with the tribe of Judah (probably through marriage).

So what do we learn from Jabez?
Prayers do NOT have to be complicated. If heartfelt, simple prayers are all that are necessary.

Psalm 34:17-18 "The righteous cry, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Hebrews 3:1 "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession…"

Jesus hears our prayers. He is our high priest.

Hebrews 2:18 "For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted."

Hebrews 4:14-16 "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Jesus understands and can sympathize with our weaknesses and our needs.

Philippians 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Rather than worry, pray. If you have faith, your worries should decrease because you know God will be helping you.

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight."

Matthew 6:7 "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words."

He will give you a path to follow. God leads our hearts, but we must allow Him to use us to do His will. Once you have placed your troubles into God’s hands through prayer, you must have faith that He will take care of it. Don’t cling to the anxiety wondering if He heard you and if He will actually do what you’ve asked. That’s not faith. Faith allows you to hand those things over to Him and move on, assured He will be faithful in His promise to answer your prayers.

There are only two reasons given in scripture for unanswered prayers; lack of faith and utter selfishness.

James 4:3 "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."

Pray continuously. Always be walking with the Holy Spirit (think of Him as your invisible friend). God wants us to be joyful.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 "Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

What about prayer in groups. Is it Biblical?

Acts 12:1-17 "Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword. When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread. When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people.
So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.
On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and woke him up, saying, "Get up quickly " And his chains fell off his hands.
And the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and put on your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me."
And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.. When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting." And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. When he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. They said to her, "You are out of your mind!" But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, "It is his angel." But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison And he said, "Report these things to James and the brethren." Then he left and went to another place. Peter was unjustly imprisoned. The church met for prayer and Peter was set free."

This is only one example of how the early church met to pray together. Following is another example:

Acts 6:1-7 "Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith."

Obviously the early church met and prayed together, and their prayers were answered. Consider the following instruction Jesus gave to His disciples:

Matthew 18:19-20 "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

How can we know we agree if we don’t pray together? Our minds would be going in different directions and praying silently for different things. By voicing our prayers, we can acknowledge our agreement within our hearts and pray for the same things.

James 5:16 "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."

Matthew 7:7-11 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!"

These verses tell us how powerful prayer can be. God loves us more than we love our own children and wants us to ask so He can provide.
His answer may not be exactly what we expect, but we can be assured His answer will be what is best. His answer may not come immediately, but He will answer. We must have faith that our Lord is in control and knows better than we what is best. Our minds are focused on the here and now, and therefore we are extremely near-sighted; but God sees ahead and therefore knows better than we what path is best. Trust in Him.

As we approach the election of the next President of the US, please pray. I cannot tell you how to vote, but please DO vote. But before you do, I beseech you to pray for guidance. God knows better than we the hearts of John McCain and Barack Obama.

James 1:5-6 "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind."

Ask for wisdom, then have faith, without doubting, that God will provide you with that wisdom. Then VOTE!

1 Timothy 2:1-8 "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."


I have considered other books of scripture as suggested by some of you, but have decided to stick with Colossians since it’s theme may be helpful in light of the difficulties our nation is facing. I will begin our study of Colossians on November 1, or soon thereafter.

Thanks!