noticenotice

I have removed from this I have removed from this presentation any pictures that may presentation any pictures that may still be under copyright.still be under copyright.

As far as I know all the pictures that As far as I know all the pictures that remain are in the public domain.remain are in the public domain.

If you find a copyright picture, please If you find a copyright picture, please let me know, and I will remove it.let me know, and I will remove it.

Thank you.Thank you.

I have removed from this I have removed from this presentation any pictures that may presentation any pictures that may still be under copyright.still be under copyright.

As far as I know all the pictures that As far as I know all the pictures that remain are in the public domain.remain are in the public domain.

If you find a copyright picture, please If you find a copyright picture, please let me know, and I will remove it.let me know, and I will remove it.

Thank you.Thank you.

The Man Who The Man Who Got What He Got What He Asked For!Asked For!

The Man Who The Man Who Got What He Got What He Asked For!Asked For!

a study on praying effectivelya study on praying effectively

byby

Ken ChantKen Chant

a study on praying effectivelya study on praying effectively

byby

Ken ChantKen Chant

texttexttexttext

1 Chronicles 4:1-101 Chronicles 4:1-10 especially especially vs 9-10 . . . vs 9-10 . . .

1 Chronicles 4:1-101 Chronicles 4:1-10 especially especially vs 9-10 . . . vs 9-10 . . .

““The sons of Judah were Perez, Hezron, The sons of Judah were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. Reaiah the son of Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. Reaiah the son of Shobal fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Shobal fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites. These were the sons of the Zorathites. These were the sons of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi, and name of their sister was Hazzelelponi, and Penuel fathered Gedor, and Ezer fathered Penuel fathered Gedor, and Ezer fathered Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem. . . . Bethlehem. . . .

““The sons of Judah were Perez, Hezron, The sons of Judah were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. Reaiah the son of Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. Reaiah the son of Shobal fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Shobal fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites. These were the sons of the Zorathites. These were the sons of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi, and name of their sister was Hazzelelponi, and Penuel fathered Gedor, and Ezer fathered Penuel fathered Gedor, and Ezer fathered Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem. . . . Bethlehem. . . .

““. . . Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, had two . . . Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah; Naarah bore him wives, Helah and Naarah; Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah. The sons of These were the sons of Naarah. The sons of Helah were Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan. Koz Helah were Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan. Koz fathered Anub, Zobebah, and the clans of fathered Anub, Zobebah, and the clans of Aharhel, the son of Harum. . . . Aharhel, the son of Harum. . . .

““. . . Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, had two . . . Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah; Naarah bore him wives, Helah and Naarah; Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah. The sons of These were the sons of Naarah. The sons of Helah were Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan. Koz Helah were Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan. Koz fathered Anub, Zobebah, and the clans of fathered Anub, Zobebah, and the clans of Aharhel, the son of Harum. . . . Aharhel, the son of Harum. . . .

““. . . Jabez was more honourable than his . . . Jabez was more honourable than his brothers; and his mother called his name brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be upon border, and that your hand might be upon me, and that you would keep me from harm me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!’ so that it might not bring me pain!’ And God And God gave him all that he asked gave him all that he asked ..””

““. . . Jabez was more honourable than his . . . Jabez was more honourable than his brothers; and his mother called his name brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be upon border, and that your hand might be upon me, and that you would keep me from harm me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!’ so that it might not bring me pain!’ And God And God gave him all that he asked gave him all that he asked ..””

What a dreary What a dreary chronicle of chronicle of unremarkable unremarkable people!people! But among them was But among them was

one “one “honourablehonourable” ” – – indeed, indeed, ““moremore honourable”honourable” – – man!man!

What a dreary What a dreary chronicle of chronicle of unremarkable unremarkable people!people! But among them was But among them was

one “one “honourablehonourable” ” – – indeed, indeed, ““moremore honourable”honourable” – – man!man!

Why was Jabez Why was Jabez ““more more honourablehonourable” ” than the than the others?others? We are told that “he We are told that “he

called upon the Lord”.called upon the Lord”. But did they not all do But did they not all do

so?so? Yes! But Yes! But he got what he he got what he

asked forasked for!!

Why was Jabez Why was Jabez ““more more honourablehonourable” ” than the than the others?others? We are told that “he We are told that “he

called upon the Lord”.called upon the Lord”. But did they not all do But did they not all do

so?so? Yes! But Yes! But he got what he he got what he

asked forasked for!!

He Prayed BoldlyHe Prayed Boldly““Oh! that you would keep me Oh! that you would keep me

from harm, so that it from harm, so that it cannot hurt me!”cannot hurt me!”

He Prayed BoldlyHe Prayed Boldly““Oh! that you would keep me Oh! that you would keep me

from harm, so that it from harm, so that it cannot hurt me!”cannot hurt me!”

At first sight that At first sight that seems a seems a remarkably selfish, remarkably selfish, even offensive even offensive prayer.prayer. But there is a clue But there is a clue

in his name, in his name, ““JabezJabez”” – it means – it means ““PainPain””..

At first sight that At first sight that seems a seems a remarkably selfish, remarkably selfish, even offensive even offensive prayer.prayer. But there is a clue But there is a clue

in his name, in his name, ““JabezJabez”” – it means – it means ““PainPain””..

Imagine giving a baby Imagine giving a baby such a strange name!such a strange name! Perhaps it was a terrible Perhaps it was a terrible

birth.birth. His father is not His father is not

mentioned . . . mentioned . . .

Imagine giving a baby Imagine giving a baby such a strange name!such a strange name! Perhaps it was a terrible Perhaps it was a terrible

birth.birth. His father is not His father is not

mentioned . . . mentioned . . .

perhaps he deserted her perhaps he deserted her while she was still while she was still pregnantpregnant

perhaps he died at the perhaps he died at the time of the boy’s birthtime of the boy’s birth

perhaps Jabez was a perhaps Jabez was a consequence of rape or consequence of rape or incest.incest.

perhaps he deserted her perhaps he deserted her while she was still while she was still pregnantpregnant

perhaps he died at the perhaps he died at the time of the boy’s birthtime of the boy’s birth

perhaps Jabez was a perhaps Jabez was a consequence of rape or consequence of rape or incest.incest.

For whatever reason, For whatever reason, she blamed her she blamed her baby, and inflicted baby, and inflicted an awful maternal an awful maternal revenge upon him, revenge upon him, one that was made one that was made worse by an ancient worse by an ancient belief in the power belief in the power of names . . . cp. of names . . . cp. Gen Gen 35:18 . . . 35:18 . . .

For whatever reason, For whatever reason, she blamed her she blamed her baby, and inflicted baby, and inflicted an awful maternal an awful maternal revenge upon him, revenge upon him, one that was made one that was made worse by an ancient worse by an ancient belief in the power belief in the power of names . . . cp. of names . . . cp. Gen Gen 35:18 . . . 35:18 . . .

““Jacob and Rachel moved on from Bethel. Jacob and Rachel moved on from Bethel. When they were still some distance from When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor and suffered Ephrath, Rachel went into labor and suffered harsh labor pains. During one spasm, the harsh labor pains. During one spasm, the midwife said to her, ‘Don't be afraid! You're midwife said to her, ‘Don't be afraid! You're having another son!’ But Rachel was dying. having another son!’ But Rachel was dying. As she took her last breath, she named her As she took her last breath, she named her son son Benoni [Son of My Sorrow]Benoni [Son of My Sorrow], but his , but his father named him father named him Benjamin [Son of My Right Benjamin [Son of My Right Hand].”Hand].”

““Jacob and Rachel moved on from Bethel. Jacob and Rachel moved on from Bethel. When they were still some distance from When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor and suffered Ephrath, Rachel went into labor and suffered harsh labor pains. During one spasm, the harsh labor pains. During one spasm, the midwife said to her, ‘Don't be afraid! You're midwife said to her, ‘Don't be afraid! You're having another son!’ But Rachel was dying. having another son!’ But Rachel was dying. As she took her last breath, she named her As she took her last breath, she named her son son Benoni [Son of My Sorrow]Benoni [Son of My Sorrow], but his , but his father named him father named him Benjamin [Son of My Right Benjamin [Son of My Right Hand].”Hand].”

Now we can see the meaning of Now we can see the meaning of Jabez’ prayer!Jabez’ prayer! He believed that he could break free He believed that he could break free

from the curse and become a new from the curse and become a new man!man!

Now we can see the meaning of Now we can see the meaning of Jabez’ prayer!Jabez’ prayer! He believed that he could break free He believed that he could break free

from the curse and become a new from the curse and become a new man!man!

We have an even We have an even greater opportunity in greater opportunity in the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit see see 2 Cor 3:17-18 . . . 2 Cor 3:17-18 . . .

We have an even We have an even greater opportunity in greater opportunity in the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit see see 2 Cor 3:17-18 . . . 2 Cor 3:17-18 . . .

n n

““Whenever we turn to the Lord, the veil that Whenever we turn to the Lord, the veil that blinds our eyes to God is taken away. This blinds our eyes to God is taken away. This Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Lord's Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Lord's Spirit is, every chain must fall away. Indeed, Spirit is, every chain must fall away. Indeed, as we reflect the glory of the Lord with as we reflect the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces, we are being changed into unveiled faces, we are being changed into his likeness from glory to glory. This comes his likeness from glory to glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

““Whenever we turn to the Lord, the veil that Whenever we turn to the Lord, the veil that blinds our eyes to God is taken away. This blinds our eyes to God is taken away. This Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Lord's Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Lord's Spirit is, every chain must fall away. Indeed, Spirit is, every chain must fall away. Indeed, as we reflect the glory of the Lord with as we reflect the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces, we are being changed into unveiled faces, we are being changed into his likeness from glory to glory. This comes his likeness from glory to glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

Don’t accept the false limitations that Don’t accept the false limitations that are often imposed upon us by the are often imposed upon us by the world, the flesh, the devil, and even world, the flesh, the devil, and even the church.the church.

Don’t accept the false limitations that Don’t accept the false limitations that are often imposed upon us by the are often imposed upon us by the world, the flesh, the devil, and even world, the flesh, the devil, and even the church.the church.

He Prayed He Prayed PersistentlyPersistently

““He called upon the God of Israel, He called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh! that you would saying, ‘Oh! that you would

bless me indeed!’”bless me indeed!’”

He Prayed He Prayed PersistentlyPersistently

““He called upon the God of Israel, He called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh! that you would saying, ‘Oh! that you would

bless me indeed!’”bless me indeed!’”

There is an obvious link with the There is an obvious link with the story of Jacob on the banks of the story of Jacob on the banks of the Jabbok – Jabbok – Gen 32:22-28 . . . Gen 32:22-28 . . .

There is an obvious link with the There is an obvious link with the story of Jacob on the banks of the story of Jacob on the banks of the Jabbok – Jabbok – Gen 32:22-28 . . . Gen 32:22-28 . . .

The Jabbok

““One night Jacob got up, took his two wives, One night Jacob got up, took his two wives, his two concubines, his eleven children, and his two concubines, his eleven children, and everything he owned, and crossed the everything he owned, and crossed the Jabbok River. But he stayed behind, alone. Jabbok River. But he stayed behind, alone. Then a man came and wrestled with him Then a man came and wrestled with him until just before daybreak. When the man until just before daybreak. When the man saw that he was not winning the struggle, saw that he was not winning the struggle, he struck Jacob’s hip, and threw it out of he struck Jacob’s hip, and threw it out of joint. Then the man said, ‘Let me go; joint. Then the man said, ‘Let me go; daylight is coming.’ . . . daylight is coming.’ . . .

““One night Jacob got up, took his two wives, One night Jacob got up, took his two wives, his two concubines, his eleven children, and his two concubines, his eleven children, and everything he owned, and crossed the everything he owned, and crossed the Jabbok River. But he stayed behind, alone. Jabbok River. But he stayed behind, alone. Then a man came and wrestled with him Then a man came and wrestled with him until just before daybreak. When the man until just before daybreak. When the man saw that he was not winning the struggle, saw that he was not winning the struggle, he struck Jacob’s hip, and threw it out of he struck Jacob’s hip, and threw it out of joint. Then the man said, ‘Let me go; joint. Then the man said, ‘Let me go; daylight is coming.’ . . . daylight is coming.’ . . .

““But Jacob cried, ‘I will never let you go, But Jacob cried, ‘I will never let you go, unless you bless me!’ ‘What is your name?’ unless you bless me!’ ‘What is your name?’ the man asked. ‘Jacob,’ he answered. The the man asked. ‘Jacob,’ he answered. The man said, ‘Your name will no longer be man said, ‘Your name will no longer be Jacob. You have wrestled with God and with Jacob. You have wrestled with God and with men, and you have won; so your name will men, and you have won; so your name will be Israel.’" be Israel.’"

““But Jacob cried, ‘I will never let you go, But Jacob cried, ‘I will never let you go, unless you bless me!’ ‘What is your name?’ unless you bless me!’ ‘What is your name?’ the man asked. ‘Jacob,’ he answered. The the man asked. ‘Jacob,’ he answered. The man said, ‘Your name will no longer be man said, ‘Your name will no longer be Jacob. You have wrestled with God and with Jacob. You have wrestled with God and with men, and you have won; so your name will men, and you have won; so your name will be Israel.’" be Israel.’"

The Jabbok Valley

Our instant Our instant generation has generation has lost the capacity lost the capacity for such prayer.for such prayer.

Our instant Our instant generation has generation has lost the capacity lost the capacity for such prayer.for such prayer.

Jacob and the Angel

He Prayed He Prayed ExpansivelyExpansively

““He called upon the God of He called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh! that you Israel, saying, ‘Oh! that you would enlarge my borders!’”would enlarge my borders!’”

He Prayed He Prayed ExpansivelyExpansively

““He called upon the God of He called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh! that you Israel, saying, ‘Oh! that you would enlarge my borders!’”would enlarge my borders!’”

Keep on expecting great Keep on expecting great things from God – you things from God – you don’t have all that God don’t have all that God wants to give to you!wants to give to you! Mark the extraordinary Mark the extraordinary

confidence of Eph 3:20 confidence of Eph 3:20 ––

Keep on expecting great Keep on expecting great things from God – you things from God – you don’t have all that God don’t have all that God wants to give to you!wants to give to you! Mark the extraordinary Mark the extraordinary

confidence of Eph 3:20 confidence of Eph 3:20 ––

twtw dede dunamendunamenww

uJperuJper pantapanta

to theto the yetyet one-one-being-being-ableable

super-super-aboveabove

allall

poinsaipoinsai uJperuJper ejkperissoejkperissouu

wJnwJn aijtou-aijtou-methametha

to doto do super-super-beyondbeyond

past-past-excess-excess-

ivelyively

whichwhich we-are-we-are-askingasking

hjhj nooumennooumen

oror even-even-imagin-imagin-

inging

– – which we could which we could paraphrase as – paraphrase as –

““Your God is able to Your God is able to do exceeding do exceeding abundantly far above abundantly far above all that you could ask all that you could ask or even begin to or even begin to imagine!”imagine!”

– – which we could which we could paraphrase as – paraphrase as –

““Your God is able to Your God is able to do exceeding do exceeding abundantly far above abundantly far above all that you could ask all that you could ask or even begin to or even begin to imagine!”imagine!”

Your God is able . . . Your God is able . . . Your God is able to do . . . Your God is able to do . . . Your God is able to do what you ask . . . Your God is able to do what you ask . . . Your God is able to do Your God is able to do allall that you ask . . . that you ask . . . Your God is able to do Your God is able to do aboveabove all that you ask . . . all that you ask . . .

Your God is able . . . Your God is able . . . Your God is able to do . . . Your God is able to do . . . Your God is able to do what you ask . . . Your God is able to do what you ask . . . Your God is able to do Your God is able to do allall that you ask . . . that you ask . . . Your God is able to do Your God is able to do aboveabove all that you ask . . . all that you ask . . .

Joshua lengthening the DayJoshua lengthening the Day

Your God is able to do Your God is able to do abundantlyabundantly above all above all that you ask . . . that you ask . . .

Your God is able to do Your God is able to do exceeding exceeding abundantly abundantly above all that you ask . . . above all that you ask . . .

Your God is able to do exceeding abundantly Your God is able to do exceeding abundantly farfar above all that you ask . . . above all that you ask . . .

Your God is able to do exceeding abundantly Your God is able to do exceeding abundantly far above all that you can ask or even far above all that you can ask or even imagineimagine!!

Your God is able to do Your God is able to do abundantlyabundantly above all above all that you ask . . . that you ask . . .

Your God is able to do Your God is able to do exceeding exceeding abundantly abundantly above all that you ask . . . above all that you ask . . .

Your God is able to do exceeding abundantly Your God is able to do exceeding abundantly farfar above all that you ask . . . above all that you ask . . .

Your God is able to do exceeding abundantly Your God is able to do exceeding abundantly far above all that you can ask or even far above all that you can ask or even imagineimagine!!

Elijah calling fire from heaven

Yet this quality of Yet this quality of expectation has expectation has become a problem become a problem in some places.in some places. The cause has been The cause has been

a failure to follow a failure to follow Jabez in his final Jabez in his final petition . . . petition . . .

Yet this quality of Yet this quality of expectation has expectation has become a problem become a problem in some places.in some places. The cause has been The cause has been

a failure to follow a failure to follow Jabez in his final Jabez in his final petition . . . petition . . .

He Prayed He Prayed SubmissivelySubmissively

““He called upon the God of Israel, He called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh! that your hand saying, ‘Oh! that your hand

would be upon me!’”would be upon me!’”

He Prayed He Prayed SubmissivelySubmissively

““He called upon the God of Israel, He called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh! that your hand saying, ‘Oh! that your hand

would be upon me!’”would be upon me!’”

He wanted the hand He wanted the hand of the Lord to guide of the Lord to guide him closely.him closely. He recognised that He recognised that

the the promisepromise of God of God is necessarily is necessarily tempered by the tempered by the purposepurpose of God. of God.

He wanted the hand He wanted the hand of the Lord to guide of the Lord to guide him closely.him closely. He recognised that He recognised that

the the promisepromise of God of God is necessarily is necessarily tempered by the tempered by the purposepurpose of God. of God.

Think about Paul, and Think about Paul, and the many vicissitudes he the many vicissitudes he had to endure.had to endure.

Remember how Jesus Remember how Jesus responded to Satan’s responded to Satan’s temptations.temptations.

Think about Paul, and Think about Paul, and the many vicissitudes he the many vicissitudes he had to endure.had to endure.

Remember how Jesus Remember how Jesus responded to Satan’s responded to Satan’s temptations.temptations.

Note that for both Paul Note that for both Paul and Jesus, the power of and Jesus, the power of God was displayed God was displayed primarily through giving primarily through giving them grace and strength them grace and strength to persevere to the end, to persevere to the end, and in every situation to and in every situation to display a divine display a divine patience, love, and patience, love, and unfailing trust.unfailing trust.

Note that for both Paul Note that for both Paul and Jesus, the power of and Jesus, the power of God was displayed God was displayed primarily through giving primarily through giving them grace and strength them grace and strength to persevere to the end, to persevere to the end, and in every situation to and in every situation to display a divine display a divine patience, love, and patience, love, and unfailing trust.unfailing trust.

But this all But this all requires a requires a perfect perfect submission to submission to the will and the will and heart of God.heart of God.

But this all But this all requires a requires a perfect perfect submission to submission to the will and the will and heart of God.heart of God.

ConclusionConclusionConclusionConclusion

We have cast our minds We have cast our minds back to the distant past, back to the distant past, but now let us look ahead, but now let us look ahead, to the future to the future Day of Day of Judgment . . .Judgment . . . How will we rate alongside How will we rate alongside

Jabez?Jabez?

We have cast our minds We have cast our minds back to the distant past, back to the distant past, but now let us look ahead, but now let us look ahead, to the future to the future Day of Day of Judgment . . .Judgment . . . How will we rate alongside How will we rate alongside

Jabez?Jabez?