Rating: 
Summary: A Real Winner
Review: This is a wonderful book on prayer. It will change your perspective on what God wants for us. Be careful and prayerful as you read this book. It easily can be mistaken for material blessings, which is Not what Wilkinson is refering to at all, rather Eternal blessings and the opportunity for God to use you for His purposes. It will change the way you pray, the way you see God, and how He uses you. So if you don't want to grow in your walk with God...then don't bother with this one.
Rating:
Summary: Books are written (1) to make money, and (2) see (1)
Review: I read this book and then bought it, thinking if I said the prayer daily, I would either make, or come into an awful lot more money than I already have. If you bought this book for any other reason than to get a lot more money, than this review doesn't apply to you. To be perfectly honest and frank, I really believe I was a little bit better off before I started saying the mantra. Previous to reading the book, I hardly ever asked anything of God for myself, just gave my thanks daily and prayed for others. Most people, like me, if they say the prayer, do so either for health reasons or relationships or money. But mostly money. People who write 'how to' books on acquiring wealth know this and try very hard to get an audience by subtly teasing the reader into thinking they will get rich the 'easy way,' if they do what the author says, in this case, by repeating a mantra daily. If the author succeeds in selling lots of books, as he has with "The Prayer of Jabez," then he is the only one making the money and thus, proceeds to write more books (Secrets of The Vine, et al) until the author falls out of 'vogue.' Obviously the author is currently 'hot' with two books on the bestseller list. I bought the book looking for a 'quick fix' financially. I won't buy anymore of the author's books because I don't think he has found any 'secrets of the vine' in the bible that everyone else doesn't already know about. Nor do I think mantras will produce riches. In the meantime, beware of "vain repetitions." Good luck to the author and all you readers.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: The author challenges the reader to pray the prayer for 30 days and see the changes in one's life. Are you ready to let God lead you and bless you with all his blessings.
Rating:
Summary: Jabez's prayer
Review: This is a very rewarding and challening book for this time of any Christian life. It is challenging me to trust the Lord for the impossible. My prayer life is more direct and the way God wants His children to pray. I have given several books to dear friends, knowing that when read, their prayer life will be encouraged to be more fruitful.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't limit your prayer life with this prayer...
Review: I like Wilkinson's writing style. It's interesting and comfortable. But I have doubts about the real intent of the book. If it is to encourage people to seek God, if it is a way of reaching the unchurched, if it was created to be a type of evangelism tool, then I would have no problem. But, my concern is that people will stop with this book. And if God doesn't answer their prayer, they will stop seeking Him. Americans just have a hard time realizing that God and most of the world isn't American also. I hate fads and I hate hype, and I am not sure this book promotes "the long haul". But, if in some way it leads the reader to desire a deeper relationship with God, I applaud. But I question whether or not it does.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding call to Spiritual Renewal!
Review: Because I considered this book such an excellent call to Spiritual Renewal, I purchased ten copies, kept one and gave nine to family and dear friends (some new Christians and some not-so-new). This was following a recommendation from a close friend and prayer partner. I was also inspired to write a song using the scripture as my guide.
Rating:
Summary: For Unbelievers and Believers
Review: The book is an extrememly and insightful look into the basics of the relationship that God would desire to have for his people. Of course there is more to being a Christian that merely being blessed. We are blessed to be a blessing, a channel of blessings. If you know God, you would know that God is a rewarder of those that dilligently seek Him. If you seek Him, you will find Him. And along the way there are no unGodly acts that would bring you any gain.I recommend this book to believers and unbelievers who desire to know who God really is!
Rating: 
Summary: Controversial Book
Review: 'The Prayer of Jabez' covers a topic that a lot of people (both Christian and non-Christian) find to be controversial on the surface. The question of whether or not it is OK to pray for blessings upon yourself at first appears to be selfishly motivated. At first glance, 'The Prayer of Jabez' seems to be obviously advocating greed, and justifying it. However, what Wilkinson argues is more than meets the eye. His main point in focusing on the Jabez prayer is not "the secret of success", nor is it "how to get God to do what you want". The core issue here is why anyone would want to be blessed. Jabez's motivation for wanting blessing was to do good and the hope that he "may not cause pain." Wilkinson describes this concept very clearly (asking God's blessing for the purpose of blessing others from what you've been given). Jabez's prayer is actually quite a benevolent request, given the right motives. And the author does emphasize that motive is key. This book was written mainly for Christians, or those familiar with the mindset of a Christian. Don't look into this book for any metaphysical, postmodern rambling; this is real classical human-nature stuff that stands on its own because of its simplicity and honesty. I'll avoid saying whether or not I completely agree with all of Wilkinson's conclusions, but I will say that 'The Prayer of Jabez' is a persuasive study of an obscure yet profound ancient text - one that can still speak volumes to our sophisticated culture if we let it.
Rating:
Summary: Not meant to be a theological treatise
Review: After reading several negative reviews on this little book, I felt that I had to "speak up," and give my point of view. I have a Master's degree in Religion from a respected School of Theology and therefore have some knowledge in the subject area. Some say this prayer has been taken out of context, that a theology has been formed from it which is some kind of a heresy, etc., and I think all these people are missing the point of the book. Bruce Wilkinson has done a simple exegesis on a little-known verse from the O.T., and attempted to point out the depth and breadth one can glean from such a pericope. The verse is as meaningful and applicable today, as it was then. What is the harm with teaching, "and that you would keep me from evil." Has that concept changed in the last few hundred or thousand years? I think not. "That I may not cause pain," oh that we all practiced that; that we would think ahead before acting out our every whim or desire. I see no greed in the verse either, "Oh that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory." I believe this is Wilkinson's way of expanding our sphere of influence in and for the kingdom of God in this world. The N. T. is filled with examples of how God wants to bless His people. I could go on, but will refrain. My husband and I are reading this book together and believe it or not, the concepts are working! After all, the book is scriptually based, and the doctrine sound. This little book makes a great gift - for graduations, birthdays, etc. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Enlarge My Audience
Review: Bruce Wilkinson is the President and Founder of Walk Thru the Bible Ministries. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, Wilkinson and the WTB ministry have done wonders in helping Christians understand the Bible through their many books and training methods. Indeed, Wilkinson's labors for the Church should not be ignored. Most recently, Wilkinson has given to the Chruch another wonder in the form of a small (almost 7"x5"), 93-page best-selling book. The Prayer of Jabez heads of the Wall Street Journal's non-fiction list with the number-one spot. Upon reading the book, however, one has to wonder what was on Wilkinson's mind when he wrote this book. The Prayer of Jabez is based on a few verses found in the midst of the geneological record in the early chapters of 1 Chronicles. A brief narrative, it tells of a member of the clan of Judah. The verse reads as follows: "Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain". Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let you hand be with me, and keep me free from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request." (1 Chron. 4:9,10 NIV). Wilkinson suggests that this passage "contains the key to a life of extraordinary favor with God", and wants to share with us "the amazing truths in Jabez's prayer for blessing and prepare you to expect God's astounding answers to it as a regular part of your life experience." If anyone is not clear on what type of 'answers' he is referring to, Wilkinson helps clarifies for us: "When was the last time you saw miracles happen on a regular basis in your life"? That is, these answers come in the form of miracles, and that, as a regular occurance. With odds like this, it is to our advantage to look into this book. As the classical syllogism goes, 'All men are mortal', so everyone attempting to interpret Scripture will use the tool of hermeneutics known as 'exegesis'. That is, we will attempt to read 'out' (Grk. 'ek') of the passage the meaning that exists 'in' the passage. To engage in 'exegesis' is inevitable if you are to understand Scripture. It is not a question of 'exegesis' or not; it is a question of whether we will do it poorly or properly. Wilkinson is not immune to this, and neither are we. Having read and re-read the Jabez prayer he was puzzled: "What exactly did Jabez do to rise above the rest? Why did God answer his prayer? I wondered. For that matter, why did God even include Jabez's miniprofile in the Bible?...Something in his prayer would explain the mystery. It had to." Here Wilkinson lays the foundation for his exegesis. Firstly, he is puzzled as to its inclusion in the midst of a genelogical list. Secondly, based on this assumed 'mystery', he suggests that the prayer itself is the key for its inclusion. He writes, "Fourty-four names into the chapter, a story suddenly breaks through...In the next verse, the roll call for the tribe of Judah picks up as if nothing has happened... Something about this man Jabez caused the historian to pause in middrone, clear his throat, and switch tactics." One has to ask, "Why is this so puzzling"? Historical narrative in the middle of a geneological listing is a COMMON PHENOMENON in both Hebrew and non-Hebrew literature. Brief historical narratives like this abound in the Bible (just look at the first four chapters of 1 Chronicles itself!). If one is looking for a 'mystery' at the outset, he is likely to find one where none exist at all. But to assume this beforehand is not proper exegesis, but rather, 'eisegesis' (reading 'into' the text your own idea or meaning). To build an entire theme of a book on this assumption is the real 'mystery and puzzle'. If his understanding of this passage as being a mystery is erroneous, then the whole structure crumbles. This appears to be exactly the case. The Prayer of Jabez is nothing more than 'Self-Help' ideology baptized in Christian terminology. Like John the Baptist and Elijah before him, Wilkinson comes in 'the spirit and power' of Norman Vincent Peale. And while Peale finds Paul 'appealing', Paul finds Peale 'appaling'.
|
