Rating: 
Summary: This book has received far more attention than it warrants
Review: Bruce Wilkinson has provided today's church with a teaching that it has enthusiastically embraced. Unfortunately, I am not sure this is a good thing and it may indicate that a large segment of today's church is in poor health when it comes to interpreting Scripture.I don't think Wilkinson's study adequately addresses the historical context in which Jabez offered his prayer. This prayer is not in Scripture as a model, but more likely as a commentary on the nation of Israel at the time and Jabez's realization of God's ongoing purposes in redemption. Specifically, the comment of Jabez's mother refers us back to the consequences suffered by Eve after falling into sin - increased pain in child-bearing (Genesis 3), which serves as a reminder to all generations of their separation from God because of sin. The request for God to enlarge Jabez's territory is an expression of Jabez's desire to see God's plans for Israel fulfilled - that they would occupy the full territory that God had promised them as His people and no longer experience the "pain" of longing for this fulfillment. Jabez's plea to be kept from pain would be a plea for God's promised redemption through the seed of the woman (again, Genesis 3). Jabez is rewarded because he was a man of faith, looking forward to God's redemption in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 11). Sadly, Wilkinson doesn't seem to catch any of this. From this understanding of Scripture, we can apply Jabez's prayer to our own lives as we look back at the redemption accomplished in Jesus Christ and pray, "Come, Lord Jesus" as we anxiously await His return (Revelation 22). We can pray for the purification of Christ's bride (Ephesians 5), and that the church would fulfill God's plan for her in history and fill the "territory" of the earth (Matthew 28) as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9). And we can look forward to the day when we will no longer groan inwardly (along with the rest of creation), as we eagerly await our adoption as sons (Romans 8). Wilkinson focuses Jabez's prayer on Jabez's own personal fulfillment. His teaching tends to focus the reader on himself. A proper understanding of Jabez's prayer should open up our vision of God's kingdom so that we see far beyond ourselves and rather than seeking our own blessing, we seek God's blessing on His church as she proclaims the gospel throughout the earth.
Rating:
Summary: The Cult of Jabez
Review: All pseudo-Christian cults have one thing in common. They all claim to have "uncovered" some "hidden" or "secret" teaching or verse buried in the Bible.
The Prayer of Jabez, by Bruce H. Wilkinson is no different. The author of the popular Jabez books would have us to believe that he has uncovered a powerful prayer, that when recited "word for word for thirty days" or more "releases God's power, favor, and protection"? This is so far from Biblical Christian teaching that one would wonder how any professing believer could fall for it. But you know Jesus warned us that in the last days many false teachers would arise and "seduce, if it were possible, the very elect (believers)". On February 1st, 2002 a book will be released worldwide that exposes the dark teachings of the Wilkinson's "Jabez Revolution", as he calls it. "The Cult of Jabez" will be available to Amazon customers soon. Check it out!
Rating:
Summary: God does not operate on formulas
Review: Whenever an author attempts to distill faith, spirituality, or God/Jesus/Holy Spirit into a simple formula, the results are usually disastrous. This book continues that tradition. Yes, God does want to bless us. But what blesses us is not the same from one person to another. And blessings may actually look like curses on the surface. For those just beginning the journey of faith in Christ, this book sets an unrealistic expectation. While it is easy to see that Jabez's prayer for prosperity was answered affirmatively, how then should we view a person like John the Baptist, a man called by Jesus as one of the best servants of God? John owned nothing, was martyred by beheading, and while imprisoned even expressed doubts about Jesus' role as Messiah. John must not have been praying Jabez's prayer. A simple scan of the Gospels shows that Jesus himself approached each person he ministered to uniquely, not with a formula. One person might need to receive (lepers, for example) while another might need to give away (the rich, young ruler). The prayer of Jabez says nothing about what we might need to surrender up in order to grow deeper in Christ. Lastly, what do we say to those for whom this prayer does not work? There are many who do not prosper (especially in the sense espoused in the book), who do not find release from evil habits. What can we say to them? This book does not answer that question. As an antidote for this book, I would recommend "The Cost of Discipleship" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer instead.
Rating:
Summary: Help me Jebuz!!!!
Review: It should be negative stars!!! How can an inteligent and religious society fall for this kind of junk. How many times will some one snip some passage out of the bible take it out of context and strech it out until it has drained all the money out of the poor lost souls that are tying to find meaning out of life. This book apears to do two things 1. Sell some self justification for those who want to cram the most material possesions into their bag and say God wills it.
2. Appease those lazy people that don't have the mental fortitude to read the bible themselves. The rather have some snake oil sales man tell them what is in it. I mean doesn't it seem to be a bit suspisious that there is a book of Jabez for everything? Whats next, the book of Jabez for pets? That why I concur with Homer Simpson when he screams "Help me Jebuz"(for those who are not into the Simpsons. The writer is being sarcastic). I recomend you buy the Bible(which ever one you believe is the correct one) and, along with your local religious leader and study it and learn the truth form the source and not form some guy that has come up with his own personal self-help nonsense.
Rating: 
Summary: Is it blessing or heresy? A more insightful look.
Review: Making a call on this book is difficult, and anyone who does so leaps into the middle of a rather heated war, as clearly evidenced if you read any of the myriad review here. The first thing of note is that Jabez is hardly Wilkinson's revelation -- Charles Spurgeon beat you by 130 years, Bruce. Try a Google search on "spurgeon jabez sermon" sometime. Anyway, at first glance "Jabez" is Universal Prosperity Gospel rehashed -- "name it and claim it", as it were. But knowing Wilkinson's track record I find it hard to make that jump of conclusions. Nowhere in this book does Wilkinson affirm the instant gratification or "magic genie" syndrome that perverts the Word of Faith movement -- in fact he specifically disclaims it. Of course, those desperately wanting to detract from the book conveniently ignore this passage, and summarily twist the tone of the rest of the book: "Notice a radical aspect of Jabez's request for blessing: he left it entirely up to God to decide what the blessings would be and where, when, and how Jabez would receive them. This kind of radical trust in God's good intentions toward us has nothing in common with the popular gospel that you should ask God for a Cadillac, a six-figure income, or some other material sign that you have found a way to cash in on your connection with Him. Instead, the Jabez blessing focuses like a laser on our wanting for ourselves nothing more and nothing less than what God wants for us." There are many other sentences in "Jabez" to back this up, but these reviews can't be that long. So with that in mind, is this book any "worse" than Proverbs 10:24? "The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted." (KJV) As with this passage, one must take "Jabez" in the appropriate context. The point of "Jabez" is not the prayER, it's the prayING -- Spurgeon knew it, Wilkinson knows it but dances around the issue so he'll have something to publish, and the Bible is crystal clear on the topic in a myriad of scriptures. We can and certainly *should* ask for God's blessing -- God does not act if we do not pray! -- but we should also know that whatever we receive will always be within His sovereign will, and not a single micromillimeter outside. Be it joy, love, healing, success, or even -- dare I say -- prosperity, one thing is true: "Ye shall know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16 KJV). And you'll get exactly what God wants you to have to fulfill that statement. Which brings up the $64,000 Question: Are the success stories from this book a result of the words of the prayer, or the simple act of communing with God by praying it? There is only One who knows the answer, but I think we can already guess. Hint: People that I know are fervent prayer warriors aren't the ones buying this book -- they're already getting the blessings! The ultimate instruction manual was given by Jesus Himself: Matthew 6:9-13. And Paul reaffirms our duty in Colossians 4:2 (NASB): "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving." What is truly sad is that the modern Church *needs* a book like this to remind them to pray. The most fundamental rite of the Christian has seemingly become a lost art -- perhaps because it *is* such a simple thing -- and so many Christians lead dry, unblessed lives because of it. I hate to disparage Wilkinson's work here, but I'm surprised to find so many people viewing this book as something new and revolutionary, when it's really just teaching the most basic of Christian duties.
Rating: 
Summary: God's Blessings are Real!
Review: I have and will continue to recommend the Prayer of Jabez to everyone. The biblical truths explained in the book are an invaluable key to God's blessings. This is a must read for everyone!
Rating:
Summary: Buy this INDEED!
Review: Buy and read this book and see your life change. The book has been scrutinized by some in the evangelical circle, but they are missing the point of this book. It is not about just blessings, it is about evangelism--speading God's love and blessings to others.
Rating:
Summary: Opposition's arguments support book's premise beautifully!
Review: I have read many reviews stating that this book is unbiblical, due to the fact that the main premise is one of acquisition of personal wealth and possessions. Were this the case, I would completely agree, and would have been dismayed that such a deceptive book had gained worldwide popularity. However, this is clearly not message of the book. Those who argue that we pray not for personal gain, but pray instead for God's will to be done in our lives, are actually in complete agreement with Mr. Wilkinson, and the ideas he puts forth in the book. From "The Prayer of Jabez" - Page 24: "Notice a radical aspect of Jabez's request for blessing. He left it entirely up to God to decide what the blessings would be and where, when, and how Jabez would receive them. This kind of radical trust in God's good intentions toward us has nothing in common with the popular gospel that you should ask God for a Cadillac, a six-figure income, or some other material sign that you have found a way to cash in on your connection with Him. Instead, the Jabez blessing focuses like a laser on our wanting for ourselves nothing more and nothing less than what God wants for us." "Nothing more and nothing less than what God wants for us." The very heart of The Lord's Prayer: "...Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." I pray every day that God carry out His perfect will through me. Not necessarily what I want for myself, but what he wants for me. I pray for His blessing on me, and the projects with which I am involved, so that His will might be carried out as perfectly as possible, with His blessing. And yes, I do see His hand at work in and around me. Every day.
Rating:
Summary: Keep it in perspective
Review: The discouraging array of cynical comments on this book is very disheartening. A couple of comments to help keep things in perspective:
1. Sincerity counts-
the benefit of the book is in its call to prayer. Any prayer, if founded in the sincere belief in God, is good. Prayer=good, sin=bad. Not hard to figure out.
2. God knows all languages-
I am Catholic, and my bible is the New American Bible. The passage reads: Oh that you may truly bless me and extend my boundaries! Help me and make me free of misfortune, without pain!
Sounds a lot less selfish that way, huh? Might be interpreted as just another way of saying: deliver us from evil....
3. you pray what is in your heart -
Unless you forgot, God is omnipotent. It doesn't matter what you say, what matters is in your heart. And He already knows that. So if you pray for something you don't deserve, good luck.
4. look a little closer -
The things people have said they benefited form saying the prayer may not be the results of selfishness after all. WE are all Gods children, and He really does want the best for us, just like any good parent. The good things that happen to us are His love realized. People who have started keeping a journal after reading this book are just starting to keep track of the signs of His love.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This is a great book. Life-changing (well, prayer changing)! I have always been afraid to pray for myself. I felt as if I would be too self-centered to pray for myself. This book has really shown me that it's not only okay to pray for myself, but God expects me to! I highly recommend this book to anyone who experiences any difficulty in praying.
| 
