PLEASE NOTE: I DO NOT ENDORSE THE CONTENT OF ANY AD BANNERS OR POP-UP ADS
THAT MAY APPEAR ON MY PAGES - THEY ARE NOT PART OF MY WEBPAGES!

In his book, “The Prayer of Jabez,” Bruce Wilkinson says, "I want to teach you a prayer that God ALWAYS answers." and "I believe it (the prayer of Jabez) contains the key to a life of extraordinary favor with God."

No matter how well intentioned the author may have been, the subject is at least presumptuous and the book (the Prayer of Jabez) itself literally reeks of how to formulas, i.e., of so-called scripture methodologies for success. The fact that even the secular community sees much merit in this publication is not all surprising; the world does indeed love its own. In warning against this book, --however unpopular such a warning will be: even though it may seem harsh, it is nevertheless appropriate to say: Beware! This book is one of those things “highly esteemed among men” –which is abomination in the sight of God.” Cf Luke 16:15

Through faulty [tweaked] human reasoning and logic, the author has assembled some principals or rather has expanded on already existing [false] teachings [of the world] that are in the churches currently popularized by the so-called, word of faith movement. This is part and parcel of the same movement [or principals] but with a new face, it is given an evangelical twist.

Rehashing and then expanding upon these same false [metaphysical word of faith] teachings, the author simply uses the prayer of a man named Jabez, which is recorded in the fourth chapter of the 1st book of Chronicles, in order to justify his own particular fabrication of yet another “faith” mantra or prayer incantation.

Using the prayer of Jabez as his anchor, as the façade of biblical credibility used to back up his false teachings, the author convinces his audience that God will ALWAYS [supposedly be forced?] to move in answer such an altruistic, spiritual and philanthropically motivated prayer –or at least, what the author makes the prayer of Jabez out to be. In his religious zeal the author even insists that repeating this prayer –i.e., repetitious incantation of this prayer –otherwise known as faithfully praying this prayer if given sufficient attention, absolutely cannot fail to cause [God to give] an increase: to increase one’s power, position and/or holdings.

The terms of your guaranteed prosperity are no doubt somewhat negotiable [with God] but at the very least, through the authors rendition and proposed use of the prayer of Jabez, your blessings should consist of nothing less than tremendous prospering of your finances [increase of wealth and material possessions] with the added benefit that God is no doubt also bound [by this formula] to grant you POWER as He moves to increase your sphere of influence even as He prospers you not only with material wealth but also as God prospers you through the riches of enlightenment [as evident that by reading this book, you will have “found the key” to an extraordinary life of favor with God?] Whatever blessings you have been “believing God for” this book has your answer. It is the quintessential “mantra manual” Christian style that [supposedly] contains “the key” or magical faith link you’ve been missing.

There is nothing wrong with the fact that Jabez turned his heart toward God in prayer. There is also nothing wrong with the fact that Jabez asked God to bless him. I do not believe we are to “tell” God how to bless us although it appears that in some ways Jabez actually did offer some specifics in his prayer request. Giving Jabez the benefit of every doubt the hope is that Jabez [at that particular time and place] was led of God [as he prayed] concerning the contents of the prayer Jabez prayed regarding himself.

Depending upon your own beliefs, it is debatable whether or not Jabez prayed a self willed &/or selfish prayer or not, but in either case, it does not mean that God would not give Jabez what he asked.

[Isa.38] God sent the prophet Isaiah to tell king Hezekiah to get his house in order, [Hezekiah was going to die]. Upon hearing that he was going to die, Hezekiah immediately prayed what seemed good to him in his own sight. Hezekiah cried out to God for a longer life –even tearfully citing the fact that he had been a good king, God granted his request and gave king Hezekiah an additional 15 years. Keeping in mind the years added to his life were given to Hezekiah by God as an answer to Hezekiah’s prayer request, it is an often overlooked fact that as a result of those extra years, the king then lived long enough to father Manasseh. Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh turned out to be a very evil king who not only undid the good his father had done to turn Israel away from idol worship, Manasseh actually ended up leading the people of Israel further away from God and into even more abominations, idolatrous ways and practices.

Seeking to obtain from God that which seems good to us in our own sight can be disastrous for ourselves and/or for others. One needs to be careful what you request of God [let alone what men dare to require of God] even in the way of blessings. You may get what you asked for but you may not like having what you get; the answer may not arrive in the form or fashion you intended and it may also come with pain [heartache], tribulation or disastrous consequences. Perhaps that is why the Lord Himself and also the Apostle James saw fit to warn those who desire to be rich in this worlds goods?

In any case, the prayer of Jabez is not a “one size fits all” model or formula for prayer. In addition, it is absolutely outrageous for Bruce Wilkinson to suggest much less CLAIM that the prayer of Jabez is a prayer that God ALWAYS answers. It is just as absurd [or as bodacious] for Wilkinson to boast the claim that the prayer of Jabez was in any way ever meant to be, or that the prayer is [any kind] of “key” –“to obtaining a life of extraordinary favor with God”. Yet, these are precisely the claims that Bruce Wilkinson boldly makes in his book.

The ridiculous assertion that GOD ALWAYS answers the “prayer of Jabez” and the very idea that the prayer of Jabez contains the KEY to a life of extraordinary favor with God] actually summarizes all that is WRONG with the book (and the erroneous doctrines Wilkinson teaches.)

The book is littered with false teachings: erroneous premises and false practices [promoting word of faith cult & some eastern occult principals] that involve various metaphysical mind science techniques. The fact that the Prayer of Jabez has become a fad which has swept through the churches, the fact that the teaching is so widespread & the book so very popular is a sad commentary on the current state of the church.

Only in a state of unprecedented global apostasy could such principals as these be so ignorantly set forth as acceptable biblical doctrine [by such a grossly misled author] and then be so enthusiastically received by so many “spiritual” leaders only to be embraced [or swallowed] hook line and sinker] by so many who call themselves Christians. [See article, The Occult Masquerading as Faith in the Churches?]

Contrary to what Mr. Wilkinson might think, God cannot be obligated or required by man to do anything that God Himself is not willing to do. God is not obligated to answer any prayer according to man’s dictates, application or usage of that prayer. God is in no way obligated to answer a prayer just because it is taken from the Bible -especially not one taken or used out of its original context. Biblical or not, God is not bound to answer any prayer which man prays or uses for his own purposes, whether it is for power, wealth, health or influence.

Prayer that God will always answer is that which comes from a broken heart and a contrite spirit; a broken spirit and a contrite heart; God will not despise.

God bends his ear low to hear even the whispered prayer or faintest cry of a contrite heart, and the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man, availeth much.

In conclusion, regarding the kinds of prayer God always answers, and the key to a life of favor with God:

1) God always hears and answers prayer that is prayed according to His purposes, prayer inspired, prompted and led by the self same Spirit of God.     2) The only way (or key) to a life of extraordinary favor with God is Jesus Christ.

Sadly, the pseudo-spiritual, self-serving (carnally minded) teachings of Bruce Wilkinson’s book, (the Prayer of Jabez) unwittingly undermines and supplants both.

In Christ,

Noteye aka, M. Weiland Aug.21, 2001

Updated January 27, 2004