 |
|
|
|
| Previous
Bible Characters |
|
Hi Kids! This month we are reading stories about the power of prayer. Don’t forget to stay in constant communication with God. All it requires is listening. |
|
| Young readers: Read – Prayer of Jabez; Jacob and the Angel; A Voice at Night; The Red Sea; and Inside a Fish. |
|
| Older readers: Read - A Midnight Wrestling Match; The Little Boy with a Linen Coat; How the Sea Became Dry Land; and The Prophet Who Tried to Run Away From God. |
|
| To see the
next page of the story, click the Next Page button below the picture. |
|
| Prayer of Jabez |
| |
  |
| |
 |
How do you pray?  |
|
|
| |
 |
I just talk to God.  |
|
|
| |
|
Is that praying? |
|
|
| |
|
The important part of prayer isn’t asking, it’s
listening.  |
|
|
| |
|
But aren’t there different kinds of prayer?  |
|
|
| |
|
Yes, sometimes you do ask for God’s help, just like Jabez. |
|
|
| |
|
Who is Jabez?  |
|
|
| |
|
Well, there isn’t a whole lot written about him in the Bible. |
|
|
| |
|
What book is he in?  |
|
|
| |
|
I Chronicles 4:9-10.  |
|
|
| |
|
Doesn’t that book just list a bunch of names?  |
|
|
| |
|
Right – the list is like a family tree.  |
|
|
| |
|
If you look at the verses before and after 9 and 10, most people get mentioned just once. Jabez was special. |
|
|
| |
|
Well, the Bible says he was more honorable than his
brothers.  |
|
|
| |
|
Was it because he prayed? |
|
|
| |
|
It looks that way. |
|
|
| |
|
The prayer is in verse 10. |
|
|
| |
|
Let’s say it together. |
|
|
| |
 |
Please bless me God; enlarge the borders of my life; Stay close to me God; and keep me from evil. |
|
|
| |
|
What does “enlarge the borders*” mean?  |
|
|
| |
|
It can mean lots of things, but I like to think it means asking God to enlarge my faith and my ability to trust Him with every part of my life. |
|
|
| |
|
Could I ask Him to enlarge my ability to be kind to
others?  |
|
|
| |
|
Of course, that’s a good prayer. We can all ask to be more loving and understanding of one another. |
|
|
| |
|
So what is “evil?” |
|
|
| |
|
I like to think of it as anything that would keep me from putting God first. |
|
|
| |
|
Like – fighting with your brother or sister? Or not doing what your parents ask?  |
|
|
| |
|
Yes, and more. Staying clear of evil means not getting angry, or hating anyone, or finding fault with others or making fun of kids in school. |
|
|
| |
|
Avoiding evil is a lot like being obedient to the Golden Rule of doing unto others as we want them to do to us. |
|
|
| |
|
I think you’ve got it. |
|
|
| |
|
So how often do you pray? |
|
|
| |
|
Every day. From the time I get up until I go to bed.  |
|
|
| |
|
When do you go to school or get your homework done, if you’re praying all day long? |
|
|
| |
|
It’s just an on going chat with God. I start the day with “Good morning, God.” Sometimes I pray the prayer of Jabez before I get out of bed. |
|
|
| |
|
Do you use the prayer of Jabez every day? |
|
|
| |
|
I sure try to. I want to ask God’s blessing before my day begins and I want God to stay close to me all day long. Prayer isn’t difficult – you’ve just got to do it. |
|
|
| |
|
It sounds like you talk to God as though He is your friend. |
|
|
| |
|
I do and God is my best friend. I can tell him anything. Best of all, He is always talking to me.  |
|
|
| |
|
I’m going to start praying every day. I think I’ll use Jabez’s prayer and ask God to bless me right now. |
|
|
| |
|
Good, and you can trust that God will bless you. |
|
|
| |
| * NASB Translation |
| |
|
BibleWise Home |
Kids Korner Home
Fun and Games | Bible
Characters | Story
Telling |
| |
|
Copyright © 2009, BibleWise. All Rights Reserved. |
| |
