Rating: 
Summary: For the most part... I think I liked it
Review: I read this book with a questionable eye, and am still digesting it's contents. However, I admit that I did learn a lot from the author's explanations of the different portions of the prayer. I'm going to try praying the prayer, but at the same time ask God to give me insight and wisdom as to whether or not it's "proper" to ask these things. I don't know. This book gave me a deeper yearning to exercise faith, and trust that God is capable and strong enough to handle all things. So that's definitely a good thing...
Rating: 
Summary: This book is a lie based on a lousy translation.
Review: "The Prayer of Jabez" is based on the following rendition of I Chronicles 4:10: "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!"Note the final phrase, "that I may not cause pain!" This makes it appear as if Jabez is less selfish than he might otherwise seem. Think about it--he already has "territory"; he already is wealthy and powerful, and yet he prays to God for MORE. That final phrase, however, makes it APPEAR as if Jabez wants more so that he will not "cause pain," that is, it shows Jabez as being concerned about others as well as himself. The problem is, virtually all other biblical translations render this passage quite differently. For example, the King James Version says this: "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!" "That it may not grieve ME"--see the difference? In the KJV version, there is absolutely NO evidence of selflessness on the part of Jabez. The same is true for other translations, which have the following in verse 10: "keep ME from hurt and harm" (NRSV); "don't let anyone hurt ME. Then I will be free from pain" (New Century Version); "let ME be free from pain" (Revised English Bible); "help ME and make ME free of misfortune, without pain!" (New American Bible); "keep harm away and MY distress will cease" (New Jerusalem Bible); "work deliverance from evil, that it not pain ME" (Jewish Publication Society Version); "keep ME from harm so that I will be free from pain" (NIV). I could go on, but you get the picture. Bruce H. Wilkinson has taken his text from what may well be the only biblical translation that doesn't depict Jabez as totally selfish. "The Prayer of Jabez" is rotten at its core. I should also add that this is a bad book in other ways as well. It is shallow. It is basically feel-good fluff, and not much fluff at that--Wilkinson has so little to work with he has to pad it out to make his tiny little book. Finally, of course, there's the fact that this book appeals to our greed--and to that extent it's simply not a Christian book at all. Don't waste your money.
Rating: 
Summary: A small book with a big message
Review: In his book, The Prayer of Jabez, Bruce Wilkinson challenges Christians to live life more fully by praying a prayer every day and then recording the results. Jabez is a rather obscure character in the Bible who appears in 1 Chronicle 4:9-10. He is described as "more honorable than his brothers", but what sets him apart is his powerful prayer. Wilkinson describes each part of the prayer and explains some of the consequences of praying it each day. Basically, the prayer asks for increased blessings from God which will lead the believer to a deeper and fuller Christian life which will be characterized by greater responsibility and service. Wilkinson throws down a challenge to his readers, gives them a method to revitalize their Christian walk and then leaves it squarely up to them as to whether they have the courage to pursue it.
Rating:
Summary: Dangerous and sloppy theology
Review: I am amazed that this book was ever written by a graduate from such a prestigious and conservative seminary. Wilkinson has taken the core doctrine of the "Word of Faith" crowd, and sanitized it for evangelicals. "Pray this prayer verbatim every day, and God is GUARANTEED to answer. If God refuses, it's because of sin in YOUR life." How's that for a safe escape clause? There are other problems, too, of course. First and foremost, Jesus gave us a model to follow when we pray, and it bears no resemblance to the prayer of Jabez at all. Second, the prophets didn't pray the prayer of Jabez. The apostles didn't pray the prayer of Jabez. As a matter of fact, NOBODY in the Bible ever prayed the prayer of Jabez except Jabez, yet after 2500 years, Bruce Wilkinson comes onto the scene and presents us with this Perfect Prayer. I'm sorry, but I find it hard to swallow that God allowed this key to Spiritual Power to remain hidden from His followers for all this time. I do not for one minute doubt Wilkinson's sincerity or his devotion to Christ, but should I believe his claim that the key to spiritual power is found in praying this prayer by rote every day, or do I believe the words of his Master who said, "When you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words." I think the danger of this book is that it will put people's focus on the form of the prayer, rather than the One to whom they are praying; on getting answers, rather than using prayer as a time to commune with their heavenly Father.
Rating: 
Summary: Be Careful About Jabezing
Review: This is a great book for studying a Bible character, learning about a prayer that worked for him, and discovering WHY. Dedicated Christians know that God wants a relationship, not a daily mantra; therefore, Wilkinson's prescription for "Blab it and Grab it" theology comes across as somewhat shallow, and his simplistic approach doesn't allow God the possibility to answer our prayers with a "No," or a "Not now." Don't buy this book because you think Jabez's prayer will change your life; instead, buy this book to learn better how you can trust God the way Jabez did, and to learn how to change your own prayers and build a closer relationship with the One who has all the answers. This is a quick read, and there is much to value here; unfortunately, many readers are forgetting that God doesn't want our mindless repetitions...He wants our hearts.
Rating:
Summary: A Powerful Book
Review: I bought this book because of all the attention it has gained in the Christian community. I am glad that I did--it is wonderful. By using a rather obscure passage from the Old Testament, the author makes some profound insights into the ways we should pray. Simply put, he challenges the Christian community to raise our expectation of prayer and blessings from God. I think that he is absolutely correct on both topics. One concern I had about the book was the issue of praying for abundance. Luckily, the author "hit the nail on the head" with this topic by focusing on what God wants to bless us with instead of what we want from God. After all, if we put our faith in God, shouldn't we trust his judgement when it comes to his blessing our lives. I think that prosperity is one of the most misunderstood topics in the Christian community today, and hopefully this book will help solve that problem. This book is short, so I recommend reading the entire thing in one sitting if you have the chance. As far as format goes, the book is kind of like reading a sermon. First the author identifies the text, then makes four main points based on the text. He reinforces his message with examples from his own Christian experience. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in drawing closer to God, and learning more about prayer. Even if you have walked with Jesus for years, this book may give you a new insight, or different perspective about your prayer life.
Rating:
Summary: Taking God Out Of Control And Taking His Place
Review: I found the Prayer of Jabez to be misleading, misguided and unbiblical. Misleading in that its claims that IF you prayer this prayer great things will begin to happen to you. This claim is akin to those found on the bottom of chain letters, promising blessing if sent on. Misguided for its taking the simple prayer of Jabez and making it walk on on fours! Of course, you need to do this to expand 2 verses into 90+ pages. This book takes Jabez's simple prayer and lifts it to a status above the prayer our Lord taught us. In fact, the Lord's Prayer is viewed slightly negatively in this book as being merely a "model." Unbiblical because, despite the editor's comments, this book is nothing less than "Name it and Claim it" theology. God becomes a puppet powered only by our prayers to work in our lives. This smacks of a works oriented theology which casts down the all-sufficent work of Christ and places our sin-stained efforts above His. Jabez literally means "pain." This book will cause much jabez if followed to closely! The pain of a wounded faith when God doesn't dance to our tune. As an LCMS Pastor, I have warned by parishoners that this book, if taken literally, will erode, not build, their faith.
Rating:
Summary: Truly A Blessing
Review: I did appreciate the wonderful words of wisdom from Mr. Helkinson. He did touch my heart and enabled me to better understand the meaning of this piece. Wishing him continues success and may God continue to bless him. Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: Insightful
Review: This work is full of nuggets of insight for the believers who are truly seeking understanding of our relationship to our Creator. Put aside worldly thinking and interpretations, and just listen to what is being "said" here. True enough, there will be believers who approach this with a carnal, unrenewed mind and see only the crass opportunity to have a "biblical" way to try to manipulate God to deliver them their worldly desires for their own purposes--don't worry.....He doesn't need anyone to puff at them on His behalf. He knows what is going on and will handle that with perfect Wisdom. God has a way of revealing His Message behind the written words to His people if they read with open hearts toward Him; don't shoot the messenger and rebuke this message. While it may have first been inspired in Jabez and recorded in the Old Covenant, ALL of the teachings and principles now recorded in His BIBLE that includes both the Old and New Covenant with us, are written for OUR teaching, teaching ALL of His believers how to live and prosper, even now in our time. Those narratives that are short and, on the surface, do not say much to our modernized understanding, don't think that they have no purpose. These are the ones that, if requested to, He will open the doors of the words to the deeper truths and give the majestic, heavenly insight behind them for those who press in. One thing for sure that this will do for those who will do it, *PRAYER CHANGES US*.
Rating:
Summary: For a Personal Relationship!
Review: If one is to remember that we have a personal relationship with an impersonal God, (He allows the sun to shine on the 'just' and the 'unjust'), then any prayer given to any of His children is a prayer for "ALL HIS CHILDREN". Know that the prayer given and the comments in this book will work for all who 'believe'! No matter by 'what Name you call the God of your understanding', the intent works wonders!
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