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Summary: Useless Book
Review: Bruce Wilkinson has "enlarged his borders" by wasting consumers' money by their purchase of this worthless book. It is amazing that this book has reached best seller status. Save some time by reading the prayer of Jabez in the Bible and apply your own interpretation.
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Summary: This one really doesn't rate
Review: Incredible what we find as substitutes for God's inspired written word. Not that Mr. Wilkinson has written a terrible book, it is simply an unnecessary one. Stay focused. Read and re-read the BIBLE2 Corinthians 5:1-9
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Summary: Typical twisting of history
Review: This book follows the simple ideology of many of the religious teachings of today. "Take the lines, turn them into what you want to tell, and run with it." Mister Wilkinson has taken the mention of an ancient man's prayer of self-centeredness and turned it into something that he can claim to be a righteous example to all. In not even getting the ideology of the actual statement correct, Mr. Wilkinson has shown, once again, that religion will continually take what doesn't fit, and turn it into something that "will work" in order to try and convert people to their views. This book has all of the trappings of a history tale, if one looks at the surrounding facts. Many centuries ago, Christians stole stories from the ancient Celts and Druids, reworded them, and then claimed that they were their own, passed down from history. Mr. Wilkinson is doing something very similar here, taking a prayer of self-centeredness and self-worth, twisting it just enough out of context, and presenting it as a prayer of sacrifice and honor. Josef Goebbels once stated that "Good propoganda is 80% fact, mixed with 20% fiction." I am afraid that theat moniker holds true here. While the prayer did exist, and the man's name was Jabez, and he did live during that time period, the basics of the prayer itself have been converted to serve a purpose opposite of what it was intended. A sad example of religious teaching and doctrine.
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Summary: Entering In - "The Basics"
Review: Many people do not know how to trust God. I, as a teacher find this a simple, introductive way to show someone a basis way to start. Many people are intimedated and don't think that God hears them or knows thier desires anyway. This mighty little book says that if you ask God according to his word he will answer it higher and better than you ever could imagine. God considers two things, The word{His will} and our motives. If our motives are to seek Him and we are searching for a way to connect, then this is a excelant way to begin. No, this book doesn't give all the theology to answered prayer but just starts us out on the basics. If you want real depth, then I HIGHLY recommend his next break through book,"Secrets of the Vine." This is another powerfull, mighty, little book. I enjoyed it much more than the first one. It is for those who want to live the abundant life!
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Summary: Why this prayer?
Review: I think we are missing the boat if we put SUCH great significance and focus on a few lines of a prayer in the old testament, then add our own interpretation to a prayer that seems pretty simple to decipher. Let us focus on what Jesus tells us. I for one feel that this work provides an excuse to ask for material things and find "proof" that we have the right to pray for that. The desire for material things is a human one, which I believe God understands, and forgives. However, as Christians, don't we wish to aspire to find joy from whatever God wills us? Funny how many "Christian" reviewers defend this book, and seem to loose focus on the Bible and especially, the direct guidance from Jesus in the New Testament. Also funny that the popularity of this book is going help answer the prayer for expanded territory of it's author.
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Summary: Extrapolation
Review: There is a word for the proper approach to scriptural interpretation. It is exegesis. This book plays fast and loose with its "exegesis."
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Summary: Not a prosperity book, rather the opposite.
Review: While I will admit this is a short simplistic book to read AND should never replace biblical devotions, it has merit. It's message is "seek God and His Ways." And the blessings one receives are God's blessings not the world's blessings. I consider the book's message a move toward spirituality not materialism. Granted those of other belief systems may not understand the author's perspective and strongly dislike the book, so be it. If there are others who are of the Christian faith who recommend the literary giants, such as C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, and F. Schaefer, instead of this book, okay. Go to it! But I'll not complain about this book's presence on the best sellers list (especially if it compels one to seek the one true God through Christ). Our land needs a revival similar to the one of Spurgeon's time. If this book helps stoke the revival fires then it has been of valuable service.
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Summary: Yes and No
Review: It seems that one's theology will influence how one appraises this book. The more Reformed one is theologically, the more one may experience disquiet over aspects of it. Christians from this tradition may get the impression from Wilkinson that God's hands are almost tied, that God is unable to act, or at least to bless, unless we ask, or unless we pray. God will appear to be unduly limited by the choices of his creatures. On the other hand, those of a more Arminian persuasion may feel more comfortable with the book. They will recall the words of John Wesley, "God does nothing but in response to prayer." They will agree that the Christian life is largely of our own making, of our own choices, aided of course by God's spirit. And both elements can be found in Scripture. It is just that this book tends to lean in the direction of one much more than the other. Thus this book needs to be read in conjunction with other recent Christian classics - perhaps Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship, Tozer's The Pursuit of God, or Packer's Knowing God, which offer fuller, more balanced discussions of these issues. One key idea of the book is the concept of a "Jabez appointment". When we ask God to enlarge our territory, to be blessed in order to be a blessing, God will open miraculous doors of opportunity. He will create divine opportunities. If we regularly pray this prayer, we will be amazed at the opened doors for witnessing opportunities and times of ministry. A similar theme was made in another recent best-seller. Blackaby and King's Experiencing God (1994) also spoke of divine appointments, but offered a somewhat larger biblical context for such miracles. They noted that such opportunities were not automatic, and that barriers to such chances to minister could exist. For example, they have a whole chapter on the importance, and costs, of obedience. They recognise that God's blessings are not automatic, but are in many ways conditional. Indeed, many Christians understand, as do Blackaby and King, that when we allow God to transform us and make us more like him, this will result in greater ministry for him. But Wilkinson seems to reverse the order, or at least minimise (or ignore) the preconditions. He says that we should make it our priority to seek an ever expanding ministry. This is a noble and spiritual goal which all believers should aspire to. But Wilkinson mentions very little of possible preconditions of such effective ministry. Only at the end of the book, on p. 85, does he say sin can break the flow of God's power. Otherwise he just says God wants to do great things through us, and God is just waiting for us to ask him to do that. Life-changing ministry is simply a matter of asking and receiving. But because he just does not really discuss the issue of character, there is the possibility that one can be misled into thinking that if one just prays the Jabez prayer each day, miraculous ministry will automatically ensue. In sum, for many, this book will be a real faith builder, a real encouragement, a real spiritual refresher. But there is also the danger that for some, this book will present a false picture of the Christian life. It may lead some to believe that the spiritual life is as easy as reciting a formula, repeating a prayer or claiming a promise. But the Christian life, at bottom, is often not so simple. It usually is made up of struggle, ambiguity and difficulty. Jesus said his disciples would have to deny themselves, take up their crosses, and follow him. And to follow him means to minister like him. And he ministered as a servant, as one who gave his life for others. No triumphalism here, no easy believeism, no magic formulas. This book will indeed be a blessing as long as we consistently keep the life and example of our Lord in view. His close relationship with his father resulted in ridicule, rejection, and ultimately death. Can we expect any other path?
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Summary: Clarification of I Chronicles 4:10 - Jabez Prayer
Review: First, let me say that I have not read the book but have read some very interesting and thought-provoking reviews, which led me to my King James Bible and the Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Nothing is more powerful than the "Word," and its study, so if I may quote exactly what I found: KJ - vs. 9, "And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow." Vs. 10, "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, 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! And God granted him that which he requested." Now the Wycliffe - vs. 9, "Jabez and sorrow are associated in Hebrew, Ya'abes and 'oseb; and the name is rendered, He causes sorrow. But Jabez' prayer of faith (vs. 10) brought blessing instead of 'osbi ("grieving me".) Each reader must study what this means for himself, but please keep in mind what (I)Timothy said in Chapter 2, vs. 15: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. Please indulge me one more comment and that is a plea to observe all things in accordance with I Corinthians 13. One of the two new commandments that Jesus gave us was to "Love One Another." Love is such a knocked around word and represents something so rare, from God's standpoint, today. At Bible college I learned the word, love, has at least four Greek meanings, one of which is interpreted (from God's standpoint), "An intelligent good will toward all men." I think Jabez knew that "God is love," as we see in I John 4: 7 & 8, and he had faith in Him, trusted in Him, and was living in accordance with His will. I also think Jabez loved God, because "he was more honourable than his brethren." For scriptures on Jesus' answer to one of the disciples who asked Jesus to teach them to pray, read Luke 11:1-13, where, at one point, Jesus asks in vs. 11, "Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he?" And vs. 13, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? (The Holy Spirit is much more valuable than what Jabez was asking for, is He not? What is land to God?) The apostle Paul advised us in Ephesians 4:30 not to grieve the Holy Spirit, and Jabez did not want to be grieved by evil either. God bless you if you read this, because God said His Word shall not return to Him empty. Great reviews from David Pesta and Ben Pehrson!
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Summary: Om Mane Padme Jabez
Review: This book is atrocious. Not only are its premises theologically unsound, but it seeks to find a mantra by which Christians can find their way to earthly goodies. Think about it: If you really need a prayer to pray, how about using the one Jesus taught us, the one that basically says "make sure we're fed, God, 'cause we're going to do what you ask." This book and the way Wilkinson wants you to use this prayer is the Christian equivalent of a "get-rich-quick" scheme: "Stuff envelopes filled with the prayer of Jabez and you can make $1,000 dollars a week in your own home!" This is an example of a war profiteering in the battle between the spirit and the flesh. Wilkinson says you can ask for it all, all the while chanting this prayer again and again. His book has already spawned several additions, so I guess it worked for him. It worked, though, because so many people refuse to actually open their BIBLES and would rather flip through the USA Today version. Don't allow people to sell you such tripe. There's one Good Book and many serious commentaries upon it. This is neither good nor serious.
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