prayer of jabez

The Prayer of Jabez

In the sermon, Pastor Walker dove into the obscure genealogy within 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, where we discover the remarkable Prayer of Jabez. This is a lesson found in one of the least-read books of the Bible, yet it’s a gem. We know little about Jabez himself, but what’s remarkable is that he is known more for what he prayed than what he did. The key to his honorable standing among his brothers and sons of Judah was faith – looking up to God, believing in His existence, and earnestly seeking His rewards. It’s time to rely on God, pray in faith, and embrace the special nature of the Prayer of Jabez.

The Prayer of Jabez opens our understanding to a life of honorable prayer and righteous faith. It’s about looking up to the great God of love, seeking His blessings, and trusting Him with our needs, desires, and struggles. We must recognize that true spiritual righteousness is in being weak and relying entirely on God. Jabez’s name signified a destiny of pain and suffering, but his faith found a way to overcome it. Luke 11:5-10 teaches us the secret and power of prayer in serving others with love and pain, getting ourselves out of our selfishness, and embracing the love that sets our hearts honorably before God. Praying with deep love and pain allows God’s unlimited blessings to flow into our lives.

In 1 Chronicles 4:10, we are reminded not to limit our prayers to our own boundaries but to trust in God’s desire to expand our territories for His glory. Jabez’s prayer wasn’t selfish; it was about the heart and God’s Kingdom. We must transcend our limits and ask God to make a great impact for His Will. Jabez also prayed for God’s hand to be with him and to keep him away from harm. We must recognize our weaknesses and humbly ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and protection from evil.

Especially for students who are embarking on a new school year, may the Prayer of Jabez inspire us to embed its words into our hearts, to pray earnestly for God to expand our boundaries, and to open ourselves to the abundant blessings that God, the Creator of this whole universe, wishes for us.

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Young Members Grow Through Teaching Bible & Evangelism

The young members of Gratia are growing through teaching the Bible and evangelism. On September 7, Pastor Julia and Dany held campus evangelism at USF and made six contacts who are interested in Bible study, with one of them joining its afternoon Bible study. Dany was very happy to see that many of them responded very well today and felt the work of the Holy Spirit.

In the afternoon, brother Larry led the Bible study with 3 students and he felt that he was the one receiving more grace and strength through the teaching. He was very thankful that God sent these students who are ready to receive the Word of God. We pray that the Gratia mission continues to improve and brings revival to save many souls through these young leaders.

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Labor Day Bowling Fellowship

SF Gratia church members had a fantastic time playing bowling on Labor Day September 4. They had a great time together and felt refreshed. Afterward, they enjoyed a delicious dinner at Chili’s. It was a wonderful time spent together, having fun, and experiencing the great grace and joy in Jesus Christ.

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Surely the Lord was Fighting for Israel

In the sermon, Pastor Walker spoke Joshua and the Israelites, under the threat of a combined force of five Amorite kings. News of their victories in Jericho and Ai, and the subsequent peace treaty with the Gibeonites, had spurred these kings into action against Israel. Yet, in the face of what seemed like insurmountable odds, Joshua remained unshaken. Why? His name, meaning “God is salvation,” echoed the core of his faith and the source of his strength. His conviction was rooted in God’s assurance that the victory was already theirs. Akin to us in our moments of trial, when spiritual, emotional, and financial battles seem to attack from all fronts, Joshua faced his opponents head-on. He marched his army all night, surprising the enemy forces, and stood firm in his belief that God’s promise of victory was immutable, unshakeable.

In the midst of this fierce battle, as daylight waned and the enemies began to regroup, Joshua boldly called upon the Lord for the unthinkable – to make the sun stand still in the sky. His faith was not confined to his understanding or the physical limitations of the world; it was centered on God, the transcendent One, capable of the extraordinary. When we, like Joshua, face challenges that seem to defy resolution, how often do we look within our sphere, trying to solve problems with our limited human capacities? Joshua teaches us to look beyond ourselves, to God – the source of all solutions. Miraculously, the sun did stop, giving the Israelites the time they needed to secure complete victory over their enemies.

Yet, the true miracle of this narrative lies not in the physical suspension of the sun, but in the underlying message of God’s transcendence and fidelity. It’s a lesson in faith – faith that goes beyond our abilities and perceived realities. The journey of Joshua teaches us that, regardless of the battles we face – the incessant whispers of doubt, the persistent trials, the sin that seems to resurface – victory is assured if we, like Joshua, place our faith in God. Just as the sun stopped for Joshua, God will provide us with the time, strength, and wisdom we need to overcome our trials.

As we confront the battles in our lives, may we, like Joshua, remember to look beyond ourselves and our limitations, to God, the One who truly fights for us and brings us victory.

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