Today's Devotions

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Showcase: Assorted Treats

  • Christ's Paradigm: a movie review of Luther +

    Luther, 2003. Powerfully presents     the way that Christ can work to transform individuals who are willing to conform Read More
  • Best of EM Bounds on Prayer +

    This is a compilation of some of the writings by E.M. Bounds. I've read a fair amount of books on Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

SylviaThis is the last of our series on the prayer of Jabez.

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me
and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that
I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

Jabez did not set out to pray a prayer that God would record in Scripture. His prayer reveals the heart of a man who sought God for his daily needs whether they were emotional, physical, or spiritual. He knew God was more than enough for what he needed, so he called out to God for more of Him. You can take this prayer and make it your own. Pray it fresh each day in many variations, thinking of the five phrases or topics of this verse.

Bless me indeed. You are pleased with me as I seek more of You and from You. You will accomplish and perfect what concerns me; Your lovingkindness endures all my days. You do not forsake the works of Your hands (Ps. 138:8).

Determine my righteous borders. As I am challenged in new areas and new obedience in old areas, let me dwell in Your presence, not settling where You tell me to pioneer, not striking out on my own when You tell me to settle. If You're not going, I don't want to go. I want Your direction and Your kairos timing and opportunity, Lord (Isa. 30:21).

Be with me. "If one loves God truly, with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience and grateful recognition of His blessing, he is known by God [that is, recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him]" (1 Cor. 8:3 Amplified). Give me grace to love You like this.

Keep me in testing. When Satan seeks permission from You to sift me like wheat, let me know beyond doubt that Your grace is sufficient and Your intercession is more than enough. Help me, Jesus. My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak (Luke 22:46).

Be honored in my requests, and show me Your unmistakable answers. Don't let me dishonor You by misinterpreting You (Ps. 73:16-17).

Be blessed as you cry out to your Abba, Savior, Redeemer and Friend
who is more than enough to supply all your needs.

Reflections to Consider

  • 1

Publications

  • 1

Music

  • River of Love

    There's a river of love that runs through all timeBut there's a river of grief that floods through our livesIt Read More
  • I Am Nothing

    I stutter when I tryTo speak the language of lifeI want to shout out loudBut I just cry insideSometimes it Read More
  • 1

Audio & Video

  • 1

Favorites

  • Transforming this World: The Hope of Glory by NT Wright +

    Wright confronts the perspective that this world doesn’t matter, and that we live only to be in heaven. He shows Read More
  • What is Good in a World that Defies Hope: a talk by NT Wright +

    This is the second part of three talks by NT Wright at Harvard University in November, 2008 on the topic Read More
  • The Stream, the Lake and the River: NT Wright +

      Acts 2.1-21; John 7.37-39; a sermon at the Eucharist on the Feast of Pentecost, 11 May 2008, by the Read More
  • Jesus in the Perfect Storm by NT Wright +

    Zechariah 9.9-17; Luke 19.28-48; A sermon for Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011, In the University Chapel of St Salvator, St Read More
  • 1

Hidden Blessings

  • Christ is a Great Savior: a review of the movie Amazing Grace +

    Amazing Grace is a historical drama about William Wilberforce who was elected to British Parliament at the age of 21 Read More
  • Wilberforce, Hollywood's Amazing Grace, Charlotte Allen +

    William Wilberforce's relentless campaign eventually led the British Parliament to ban the slave trade, in 1807, and to pass a Read More
  • Making Beauty out of Ugly Things: Grace by U2 +

    Grace, she takes the blame She covers the shame Removes the stain It could be her name Grace, she carries Read More
  • The True Nature of Grace and Love: a movie review of the Soloist +

    The 2009 movie The Soloist is based on a book by the same name, written by Los Angeles Times columnist Read More
  • 1