1. 92 nd Annual Sunday School and HYPU Convention of the Southwest Ohio District 92 nd Annual Sunday School and HYPU Convention of the Southwest Ohio District

2. 1 Chron. 4:10 The Prayer of Jabez

3. of the line of Judah the name is the name of a town - I Chronicles 2:55 why his mother gave him his name was more "honorable" than his brothers

4. The original language of the prayer suggests that it was expressed as a vow, "If you would bless...."

5.  "I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse -- the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God... the curse if you disobey the commands.“  Deut 11:26-28

6. increase, help, and protection  “enlarge my territory"  "let your hand be with me"  "keep me from harm "

7.  What does it mean to ask for a blessing?  Does God want us to ask? ◦ Jacob - Gen. 32:24-26,29 ◦ Solomon - 1 Kings 3:5-14 ◦ Matt. 7:7-11

8. When Jabez prayed, "enlarge my territory," he wasn't merely asking for wealth to display, but rather, he was seeking for larger opportunities to bless others.

9.  Ability plus opportunity equals responsibility ◦ Gal. 6:10 ◦ 2 Cor. 9:6-11  Requesting more responsibility ◦ requires more accountability

10. In the Bible, the hand of God represents God's power, God's guidance, and God's revelation.

11.  All thing are possible with God ◦ 1 Pet. 5:6-7 ◦ Eph 6:10-11  Believe in yourself ◦ Pray for God’s help ◦ Phil 4:13

12. In Jabez's prayer, the word "harm" is in most other translations "evil", which is a better translation.

13.  Don’t forget God when blessed ◦ Deut. 31:19-22 ◦ Deut. 32:15-18 ◦ Prov. 30:7-9 ◦ 2 Pet. 2:6-9

14.  What is your request today for strength?  What is your request today for protection from sin?  What is your request today for increase?