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Summary: The heart...
Review: The reader should be cautioned that God looks on the heart. Words may sound profound and obviously, there was something in Jabez's life that pleased God, resulting in the answering of his prayer. I don't think that just uttering these words will bring the same result for anyone, but it can be a good starting point for meditation and further study into one's relationship with his Lord.
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Summary: Certainly a Blessing!
Review: I'm a Catholic Christian with a very ecumenical and evangelical heart and spirit. My nature is very drawn to classical spirituality and contemplative prayer. I am also very attuned with the spiritual deceptions that our Adversary tries to place on us Christians (I can say this because earlier in life I was a practicing Satanist). I thank our Triune God for having blessed me with having a good Christian female co-worker give me this book to read, especially at a time when I was in despair and doubt. I have been further blessed by the content in this book and believe Dr. Bruce Wilkinson's intention in writing this book are pure and glorifies our Triune God. I ordered 12 copies of this book, gift wrapped them and gave them to members of the Small Christian Community I belong to. I hope my Catholic Christian brothers and sisters are further blessed and inspired with the message of this book as well as they prayerfully take it in. I hope those who read this book are further blessed and inspired as well. In Christ - AMEN!
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Summary: Rewarding Perspectives of Faith and Prayer
Review: As much as the Bible teaches me, I find that I learn even more by hearing about the interpretations that others make of the Bible. Those interpretations are most beneficial when they include witnessing one's own experiences. Bruce Wilkinson has provided us with many soulful insights from 30 years of reciting a little-noticed prayer in this inspiring book.One reason that it is nice to hear what others say about the Bible is that some of them read Hebrew, which I do not. Knowing what the original text said should provide more clues to its precise meaning. Mr. Wilkinson has provided many insights from the Hebrew texts to help us understand what the translations mean. The Prayer of Jabez is found in 1 Chronicles 4:10 following a brief introduction of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:9. This text is in the middle of a long list of about 500 Hebrew names beginning with Adam in providing a geneology. The casual Bible reader might never notice this material. Since there is so little text, the plain meaning of what is found here can certainly be confusing. "Jabez" means "pain" in Hebrew. Jabez was named this by his mother "Because I bore him in pain." Since almost all babies bring pain, it is hard to know exactly what was different about Jabez, if anything. Jabez is remembered for having his prayer answered. The prayer was: "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" Mr. Wilkinson provides several perspectives on this prayer that added much to my understanding of the Scripture. First, Mr. Wilkinson interprets this as meaning that the person praying is asking to play a bigger role in achieving God's purposes. That was a new thought for me. I tend to feel that each of us is kept pretty busy trying to do God's will in whatever roles we already have. How can we do more? Obviously, only with God's help. By taking on even larger roles, we probably move closer to a state of humility by knowing that we cannot possibly succeed without Divine guidance and assistance. So what seems like a prideful thing actually turns out to be the opposite. What is your reaction to that? Second, I was startled a few years ago to hear a group of rabbis and ministers talk about how the traditional concept of the moral life was to never be tempted. I feel tempted all of the time, and overcome temptations only after sincere struggles. Mr. Wilkinson points out that the best way to avoid evil is not to be tempted in the first place. "Without temptation, we will not sin." So this text encouraged me to ask even more for being kept away from evil. Naturally, the Lord's Prayer does that, but this important point had been partially lost on me until I read this book. Beyond those Biblical insights, I also learned from Mr. Wilkinson's experiences. He takes on big tasks, uses the Jabez prayer, and keeps track of how things work out. I, too, believe in the power of prayer. It had never occurred to me to keep a journal about my experiences with prayer. I am sure that there is much to be learned. My own interpretation of the book and the prayer is that it is just another example of God's listening to and answering our prayers. So I felt encouraged to pray, rather than to use only this specific prayer. I did find myself revising some prayers that I am fond of to incorporate elements of the Jabez prayer. Mr. Wilkinson also sets a good example that I intend to follow. He walks up to strangers and says, "How can I help you?" Now, I do that with people who call me on the telephone and people I work with. It had never occurred to me to do so with strangers, but it is probably more helpful with strangers. I look forward to the experiences I will have as a result. If you are like me, it will be hard to tell where Biblical interpretation ends and witnessing begins in this book. I'm not sure it's all that important to draw a line between them. The key thing is to feel closer to God and God's wisdom and love. I certainly did after reading The Prayer of Jabez. I pray that you will too! What else can you pray for that may serve God's purposes in more ways that you have not considered before?
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Summary: Blessed Insight or Dangerous Doctrine?
Review: Although Dr. Wilkinson's book has some value, the doctrinal errors and several misconceptions about God and prayer keep me from reccomending this book.
The first statement Wilkinson writes (in the preface) is a doctrinal error in of itself. Saying that God will always answer (positively) a prayer other than something central to His will all the time (e.g. Your will be done, All Glory be to God) is a Biblical error. Job states this well: "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away" Other flaws include the inaccurate assumption that God is required to answer a prayer for everyone just because he answered it once. This is also incorrect. ALso, the book implies that God is sitting around waiting for people to pray this prayer, the "key" to the great Christian life. Bogus! The Prayer of Jabez sets itself squarely against Jesus, however, when it states that this is how God is wanting us to pray. Jesus said the opposite, than in prayer our focus should be on God and His kingdom, will, and glory. Jabez is focused on our kingdom ("expand my territory"), our will ("bless me"), and our glory ("your hand would be with ME"). Sorry, but I cannot reccomend this book. It borders on health and wealth and Faith Movement doctrine and should not be taught as Scriptural.
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Summary: God Answers an Honest Prayer!
Review: "Read this little book, The Prayer of Jabez, by Bruce H. Wilkerson! " the pastor exclaimed to our congregation at the end of his sermon one Sunday morning. "You will be amazed at what will happen if you pray this very simple prayer!" After reading The Prayer of Jabez , I know how my pastor felt, for I have wanted to reach out to those I love and to anyone who will listen to share this same news! In one tiny book, the author excitedly shares God's answers to a prayer that is prayed in humble and simple faith, believing that God is there and that God will answer. He tells readers that the key of the prayer is to "ask" God. The beauty of this little book is in its simplicity. It is based on one very simple prayer, prayed by one man among many in a long geneology of names, who believed in God. The Bible simply says, "God answered his prayer". Dr. Wilkinson substantiates Jabez's example of a man God approved of, by praying the same prayer for thirty years, believing as Jabez did, that God would answer his own prayer. He enthusiatically shares what God did through him and others in answer to his prayer. As I read this marvelous testimony of God's answer from two men in the space of time and history, now and hundreds of years before, I sensed something familiar. Reviewing some worn out Bibles I had used in the past, I realized that twenty-three years ago, I had come across this little verse while going through a study of the Old Testament and underlined it and honestly prayed the prayer that Jabez prayed. Today, after reading this little book, I realize, that like Jabez and Bruce Wilkerson, and others, God has answered my prayer also. God has blessed me beyond all measure and He has enlarged my territory in the work that I do that I might bring honor to Him. This little book is for those who honestly want to draw closer to God and receive an answer from Him. The only thing they need to do is be honorable about it and "ask". What simple news to share for such an amazing and beneficial response. I heartily recommend The Prayer of Jabez by BruceWilkerson, to anyone who wants to know God or who already knows Him and wants to follow Him.
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Summary: The Prayer of Jabez
Review: The book is a book of mixed messages. In one message the author tries to draw a person "to let go and let God though prayer"; but, then the author offers a game plan -- "If you say this, God will do that". This game turns God into a vending machine.
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Summary: Book Misquotes Bible.
Review: The prayer quoted in the book is from the NIV and reads, "And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, 'Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" Another version of the NIV reads, "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." The prayer in the King James Bible reads, "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!" The prayer in the NIV ends with a request to either be "free from pain" or to "not cause pain!" The King James is concerned about being grieved by evil. Also, the NIV seems to have a problem deciding between "harm" and "evil." The point is that if the bible translation is so inconsistent why trust a book based on it's sloppy work? If anything, the book does serve to show that the King James Bible is far superior to modern attempts to update the word of God.
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Summary: Inspiring
Review: After reading this book, I was inspired to buy several more copies to hand out. I'm sure that who ever purchases this book will be inspired too.
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Summary: A powerful book with a powerful message of faith..
Review: The Word says if you have faith as small as a grain of mustard seed, nothing shall be impossible to you. This book, though authored by Bruce Wilkinson, is written by the Holy Spirit...the third Person of the Trinity. It is no coincidence that this book "happened" to be written at this time. Hasn't the Prayer of Jabez always been in the Bible? Of course it has. I have been a born-again believer for 24 years now and through all of my readings and studyings of the Bible, I had never even noticed this prayer! But the Holy Spirit has brought this prayer to the eyes of the world that we may KNOW His word is true...yesterday, today and forever. Jesus Christ said that there is nothing hidden that shall not be revealed. This is the day of revelation for this prayer. This is the day this scripture is being fulfilled in each of your lives who believes. Be patient, heed the words of the prayer, be obedient and PRAY. It is faith in this prayer and the Word of God that will rain the blessings of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit into your life. There is nothing magical about Bruce Wilkinson either...nor is there anything wrong with what he has done in publishing this book. He is simply an instrument of God, the Holy Spirit. Be still and Know! What is the book that YOU are to write my brother, my sister?
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Summary: wrong emphasis
Review: I have read enough of this book and the reviews to make the following observation: (In the words of a great Christian:) "Anyone who is made to believe he becomes a Christian except as a result of obedience by faith will seldom bring forth the true fruits of a real convert. He will remain just as selfish as always, except his selfishness will now take on a religious form. If he wants something for himself, he will say he "has a burden" for something, or he will say, It is the desire of my heart." He will pray selfishly, desiring blessings for himself and even if he does pray for others, it usually will be for selfish reasons. After all, when he "accepted the Lord" he was told how much Jesus wanted to bless him and how much God had stored up for his account, and how the Bible was like a "checkbook full of promises, just waiting to be cashed!" Such a person always seeks to "feel" good about himself, his own church, his pastor, etc. His whole world is built on feeling blessed. HE WAS NEVER SHOWN HE WAS CREATED TO BLESS GOD....GOD WAS NOT CREATED TO BLESS HIM. (Psalm 149:4, Phil. 2:13)."
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