What About the Prayer of Jabez?

Okay, Saints...

I know this will make some people mad, but it has been so heavy in my spirit today, and I must share...

Let me just be blunt - God's people MUST be careful about trying to claim other people's prayers just because they were answered for THEM. There is no "magic prayer" that will work for everyone all the time. After all, how can a prayer be "heartfelt" when it's not even of your own words? Just like the notorious "Sinner's Prayer," the "Prayer of Jabez" and everything like them are only offering a false sense of security to Christians who REFUSE to develop a true relationship with our Heavenly Father. Is this not what Jesus referred to in Matthew 6:7, when He said:

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Yes, vain repetitions...things we repeat over and over again, without true meaning or heartfelt sincerity. The Bible tells us that out the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks - your own words are good enough. If we can't go to God in our own Words, perhaps it is not in our heart to seek him at all!

Now, about Jabez...It turns out that Jabez was of the tribe of Judah. In the Bible, his name is later changed to Othniel. That's interesting because Jabez means "sorrow", but Othniel means "force of God." He was the only man to stand up and win a difficult battle (against Debir) at the request of Caleb, so he was awarded Caleb's daughter as a prize. He was the younger brother of Caleb as well, and the Bible says he was more honorable than ALL his brothers. Hmmm....

He also went on to judge Israel, and his prayer for territory was answered through his wife, Achsah. She was granted the Southland of Judah, but asked her father (Caleb) for more, so he granted it. The Bible then says that Othniel/Jabez lived his life out in peace, meaning he was prosperous and was able to cease from his carrer of battle.

Interesting...

My point is that this prayer was between Jabez and God. Yes, we can learn from it, but it's not for us to use like a spell. Look at all Jabez had to go through just to justify that prayer! It's no wonder God answered it FOR HIM. It's no wonder that such a prayer could come from he heart.

The thing that bothers me is that everytime a seemingly "quick fix" solution comes out about prayer, the Christians who are supposed to be mature (Pastors, Evangelists, Prophets, Apostles, Teachers) go running. Don't get me wrong - teaching is good, but why are those on the Front Line always running for another lesson in what we should already be expert in? Even more, why do we seek such instruction from man instread of the God we should be talking to EVERY day?

Think about this last few years, and you'll notice that all the big "Gospel Movements" (fads) revolve around Prayer...

The Room...The Threshing Floor...The Prayer of Jabez...Behind the Veil...In His Presence...

The list goes on and on and on...

Prayer should be the simplest thing for a TRUE CHRISTIAN to do. Why are so many hungry for a shortcut? Why are there so many who simply cannot enter into the presence of God...so many who don't hear His voice or know how to call on His name? Saints, this is sooooo scary!

If all the saints who claim to know how to pray really do know, where are they? More training, obviously, is just needed on prayer. When all these things came out, it wasn't the sinners seeking them - it was the saints, mainly the ones working in ministry!

People are paying for a "quick fix" and still are not able to tap in. Wow!

Even more, why do we really need to be "taught" how to pray. We aren't taught how to talk on the phone. We aren't taught how to carry on conversations with our friends. We learn because of a natural, human desire to communicate - to interact with others. Where is the DESIRE to know the Father???