Rating: 
Summary: Not a sound business investment
Review: I bought this book in December 2000 and began applying its principles faithfully in my life. In the five months that followed, my business lost over $500,000 in revenues and went into the red for the first time in its thirteen year history. We had to let several people go, and one of them (who was a dear personal friend of mine) committed suicide after she got laid off. I stopped praying the Prayer of Jabez around the middle of April. Since then, business has been steadily increasing and we've even hired three new people.I don't know if this is just coincidence, or God's way of telling me not to call on his name just to satisfy my own greed. Either way, I'd recommend skipping this book. It's just not a sound business investment.
Rating: 
Summary: Insightful
Review: While I can certainly see that little this book has a lot to teach Christians about their response to God, I don't see that it is anything that new. There have been other books that speak of the same things from different scriptural texts. However, it is still an important, yet easy way to remember how we should pray. By memorizing one verse, you can completely change your prayer life.
Rating: 
Summary: Missunderstandings
Review: The book is wonderful but apparently is being badly missunderstood. The book is not about asking for things but about asking God to be used by Him in new and expanded ways. On May 17, I happened to have my TV on and the outrageous Politically Correct show with Bill Marr was on. I would have turned it off but I heard that they were talking about The Prayer of Jabez. Basically they were saying that Christians are buying this book so that they can learn a new way to ask for things. Part of the prayer asks God to protect us from evil and certainly greed is an evil. How many Christians' lives were wrecked by the "name it and claim it" doctrine of the 80's? Anyone who thinks that The Prayer of Jabez is touting the same false doctrine should read Jim Bakker's book entitled "I Was Wrong."
Rating:
Summary: Be Careful
Review: I have heard of many reviews with people who claim that this has boosted their relationship with God and their spirituality. I do not think that the effects after reading this book will last very long though. The book itself it not 100% based on scripture. The author of this book only tells you what you want to hear, and his message will only cause people who do not have strong roots as diciples of Christ to become greedy and mislead. "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." -Colossians 2:8
Rating:
Summary: The Prayer of Jabez
Review: I was fortunate enough to have this book given to me last week-end and consumed it in two days. I must admit that early on my husband and I both felt awkward and a bit ashamed that we should ask for God's blessings as we have witnessed His immense kindness in our lives already. However, after I really began to read I realized, isn't this what we all desire anyway, the favor of God? ... There are just too many scripture references to dismiss the insights here in this book. I would encourage anyone to take what is relative and helpful to you. By the way, Secrets of The Vine is even better!
Rating: 
Summary: A terrible disappointment and misrepresentaion
Review: Let's see a Christian takes a JEWISH man and his prayer and suggests that Christians can take that JEWISH prayer and turn it into gold. Hmmm what is wrong with this picture? Maybe this is just a book that ANYONE can use. Just because you are NON-Christian doesn't mean God won't answer. God answers anyones prayers. The author begins on page 9 saying in the subtitle "Jabez called on the God of Israel". Ok so Jabez called on the God of the Jews since he was jewish. Makes sense. Then the author says: "The little book you're holding is about what happens when ordinary Christians decide to reach for an extraoridnary lie---which, as it turns out, is exactly the kind God promises." Wait a minute. If this is a Jewish man and his Jewish prayer then why limit it to Christians? Or better yet why Christians? On page 43 the author then writes: "Do you believe miracles still happen." There is a BIG difference between a blessing which is what most people recieve and a miracle, which is rare and is meant to be rare, which is an over used or misused term amongst certain christian people. Personally I also wondered, while reading this small book, if we do not have one more example here of a self centered American mode of life. Ask ask ask ....get get get. Then the important question of "Why not take a Christian prayer and write a book around that"? At least as a Christian writer he would be using something Christians and not mis-representing another religions text. Why steal another religions text? On page 78 he writes: "I think the immediacy --- the "now-ness"--of serving God is one of the most exciting aspects of living for Gods honor roll." Well that's true. But the fact is, Jews ( this is a Jewish man and his Jewish prayer taken from a Jewish text) .....always seek to serve God first. Anyone who knows anything about the Torah and Jewish prayer knows that the focus is always on God and Gods rule in ones life. If you want to know what Jewish prayer is all about then check out The Art of Jewish Prayer by Yitzchok Kirzner, A Guide to Jewish Prayer by Adin Even-Israel, The Way into Jewish Prayer by Lawrence A. Hoffman Just don't lie to yourself and steal another religions text and then claim the prayer is ONLY for Christians. It doesn't make Christianity seem to be anything more than a ripe off religion, lacking in ethics and morals.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational and Challenging to the Soul
Review: This book challenges people of faith to act on thier faith through a simple prayer of asking God to Bless us. This is a prayer that should be prayed for everyone in the world. This prayer is very humbling - not egotistical. This prayer asks God to work through you, which is very humbling, to the one surrendering to God's will and/or the desire to be blessed. Authentic recognition of being blessed requires an act of the will to let God work through us infusing blessing and joy. I also recommend: What the Dying Teach Us: Lessons on Living by Samuel Oliver. This book shares how to live in soul long before we die. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Not all its cracked up to be
Review: I heard rave reviews about this book so I obtained a copy and read it. It strikes me as a prayer of magic. The author advises you to prayer this prayer and see your life change. It takes more than a one line prayer to change a life. It reminds me of those who advocate the gospel of prosperity. Readers are cautioned to read with your minds engaged!
Rating:
Summary: miracles waiting to happen
Review: This little book centered on four lines from the bible is a true treasure, I am elated that Bruce Wilkinson was inspired to write it so we ALL have the key to the power contained in this seemingly simple prayer. Its going to amaze even the Christians that read the bible daily! I am getting copies for my loved ones to read so they can share the message with others, the word is spreading like wildfire about this book and its message, I don't think you will have any trouble following its trail, just watch for the shower of blessings it will leave in its wake!!!
Rating:
Summary: LIFE IMPACTING
Review: Amongst the myriad of books available today it is not too often that you find such a jewel as this book. The author has a real revelation of how this short but remarkable prayer of Jabez can impact our lives today in a truly profound way. He examines each element of Jabez's prayer drawing from his own life's experiences and scripture that assists the reader in understanding the significance of the prayer and how it will impact the readers own prayer life and future. I really enjoyed the book as it challenged me in the way I pray as well as the need to reach out for greater things in God. This book is a must for anyone who is seeking to fulfil their destiny in God and is willing to truly place their lives into his hands to experience the exhilaration that can only come from being completely reliant on God.
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