Prayers That Activate Blessings

The story of Jabez goes on to reveal that he called on the God of Israel, asking for a blessing, and God granted him that which he requested. God answered Jabez. Jabez didn't go into some long exercise of prayer, reciting the Torah and using big words. He simply went before God and said, "'Oh, that You would 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 God granted him what he requested" (v. 10). He asked and God gave it to him. Simple. This teaches us that we can ask God to bless us and that He will grant us what we ask for. Jabez asked for God to bless Him, and He did. God is the source of blessing, and it is the nature of God to be good to His creation. The psalmist says, "The LORD is good, His mercy is everlasting" (Ps. 100:5). A revelation of the goodness of God will cause faith for His blessings. Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" —Genesis 32:24-26 This event in Jacob's life came after a long battle for the woman of his dreams. He had diligently worked for his wife Rachel for a total of fourteen years. He had hope and expectation behind his efforts. Many of us pray once and immediately get angry with God when He doesn't give us JACOB—I WILL NOT LET GO UNLESS YOU BLESS ME