Making Prayer Powerful through Boldness

August 10, 2008 - Rev. Rurel Ausley, Rev. Kevin Kelly

NIV 1 Chronicles 4:9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." 10 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.

A pearl in a sea of boredom.

Recorded for our benefit.

A bad start—a bold prayer—a surprising answer.

Lessons to take home: Praying Jabez's prayer

1. Put character first. (1 Chronicles 4:9; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 16:26)

2. Ask boldly. (1 Chronicles 4:10; James 4:2; Philippians 4:6; James 4:3-4)

3. Accept humbly. (Job 1:8, 20-21 & 2:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:5-10; Philippians 4:11-13; James 1:17)

4. Use your blessings wisely. (1 Timothy 6:17-19; Deuteronomy 8:10-18)

Reflection Questions

1. Would you classify your prayers as bold? If not, what is one aspect of your prayer life you could change in order to approach God with boldness?

2. Is there something you've been holding back on praying for, perhaps because you just weren't sure it was right or proper to ask?

3. Is there something specific you would like God to help you with or bless you in? Why not ask boldly for that now?

4. Read Jabez's prayer one more time. How do you view his prayer? How do you view his boldness?

5. Thinking back on the sermon, how might someone misuse this prayer? How are we to appropriately apply it to our life?

6. Why does our character matter when it comes to prayer? Read the Scriptures listed above under point 1. What do the passages in Matthew teach us concerning character?

7. As a child of God, why must we be bold in our praying? Why does boldness even matter? If you knew for certain that God would grant your petition, no matter the request, what would you ask Him for?

8. Read the Scriptures under point 3. When we ask boldly and God answers, how should we respond?

9. When God blesses beyond belief, how should we use these blessings? Read the Scriptures under point 4. What do these passages teach us about applying God’s blessings in our life and in the lives of others?

10. Thinking back on this sermon series, which sermons were most helpful? Have you put these sermons to work in your prayer life? If no, what do you need to do to put it into action?