The Jabez Prayer

The Jabez Prayer


On May 23, 2001, I began reading “The Prayer of Jabez” by Bruce Wilkinson. And I prayed the Prayer of Jabez.

On May 20, 2002, Urban Connection-San Antonio was born in partnership with Central Dallas Ministries. I quit my state job and began building relationships in the Lincoln Heights Courts community. I had seen grant funds run out and people abandoned time and again. So I felt that the only way to make a difference in the community was to get into the muck and mire and walk with its people. We would have to become the support system for this community. We could never leave them.

In making this statement and praying this prayer, I had no idea what would happen next.
In 2003, we went from the small Lincoln Heights Courts Community Room to leasing two empty apartments totaling about 1020 sq. feet. By 2005, we were occupying four empty apartments totaling 2000 sq. feet. In Sept. 2008, Urban Connection received its nonprofit status as a public charity from the IRS. In Feb. 2009, we purchased a piece of property at 1120 Menchaca Street, which is adjacent to the Lincoln Courts. In Sept. 2009, we received a grant from the Westside Development Corporation to purchase the adjacent lot at 1122 Menchaca, which was finalized Aug. 2010. Today we occupy a total of 7280 sq. feet on the property, which hosts a food pantry, clothes closet, Ethnos Missions Center, Camino Real Christian Fellowship, our administrative offices, and Kids Connection after-school and camp programming. And beginning Oct. 1, 2010, we will lead programming for children in the Frank Garrett Community Center, which is located across the street from the Lincoln Heights Courts.

Last month I was led to open “The Prayer of Jabez” and read it again after listening to a preacher on the radio give new revelation regarding the scripture. The preacher said that this prayer wasn’t some random prayer that Jabez prayed. He had to already be doing something for the Lord in order to have prayed these verses. Jabez wasn’t just an idle believer sitting and waiting. He was serving.

So, after reading the book again, I prayed the prayer…

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!” So God granted him what he requested.
I Chronicles 4:10

I have experienced the manifestation of this prayer in my life. God is no respecter of persons. What He has done for one, He will do for another.

If you have the courage, read the book, pray the prayer and watch God move in your life. You won’t regret it.