Unlocking the power of prayer: Like Jabez, enlargement is our portion

Enlargement is our portion and inheritance that Jesus Christ came to give to us in form of a life full of glory, increase, and abundance. In the Bible, we are advised not to ever forsake the Levite as long as we live. The Lord will keep his promise of giving us land and enlarging our borders and we will 'eat as much meat as our heart's desire'.

Enlargement begins when you honour the servants of God (Levites). God says, "The Levites shall be mine. I am the Lord." The Israelites could not make any move or decision without consulting the Levites. Jesus emphasized this by saying that, whoever gives a servant of God water to drink in his name will not lose their reward. And whoever receives a prophet or righteous man shall receive a prophet's and a righteous man's reward respectively. When you call on the Lord in distress he will hear you, relieve you, have mercy on you, and set you in a broad place. You will bear fresh and flourishing fruit even in old age.

In the book of 1 Chronicles, 600 genealogies are listed and the name of Jabez stands out. His mother had named him Jabez because she bore him in pain. He lived in greatness and influence with even a city named after him. He was an honorable man of God followed by many people and he turned his pain into a unique prayer.

Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh that you may bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So he granted him what he had requested. He prayed that God would bless him. God wants to bless and expand you in all areas; influence, personality, clientele, leadership, finances, relationships, etc. But you need to pray and believe this for it to happen.

Jabez prayed that God would keep him from evil. Ask God to preserve you from evil so that you are blessed, outstanding, and in perfect peace. Evil will keep you from breaking through the obstacles to your place of enlargement. Even the evil one tried to hinder Jesus' ministry by tempting him in the wilderness - to turn stones into bread; to throw himself off the pinnacle of the temple; and to fall down and worship him. Always pray, "Do not lead me into temptation, but deliver me from the evil one."

How does God enlarge your territory?

First, you must break out of your comfort zone. Comfort is an internal state of inhibition that one may use as an excuse not to change a situation or condition or undertake a task. Moses had to deal with his comfort zone of not being capable of leading the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. He claimed that he was not eloquent and was slow of speech and tongue.

Second, you have to be willing and daring to live exceptionally and stand out from others. The description given of Jabez's character traits is that of a very unique person. He did not do things in normal or routine or mundane ways; he prayed and believed God for unusual blessings. You have to do things using methods or taking actions you have not tried before to get better results.

Third, you have to struggle to occupy the enlarged territory. "The Lord your God, who goes before you, he will fight for you, according to all he did for you in Egypt before your eyes. And in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the ways that you went until you came to this place." (Deuteronomy 1:30-31)

God was telling them here that he will fight for them on the one hand and on the other that they will have to go and fight for the land. People who think that they can do it all alone become proud and arrogant, and those who think God will do it all for them do not accomplish much. Enlargement involves both the sovereignty of God and the willingness of humans - it is a partnership.

Bishop David Muriithi

Founder & Overseer

House of Grace International Ministries