adapted from 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 by Bruce Wilkinson

Who wants a life that’s just plain ordinary? Wouldn’t you rather have one filled with adventure, excitement and lots of fun? As it turns out, that’s just the kind of life God wants for you, too. And it’s the kind of life He promises each of us. It doesn’t matter how young or old we are, God has something incredibly special for everyone—starting right now!

As a young man, I loved God, but I wondered how I could serve Him better. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in the future. Maybe you know how that feels. On some days you might think you’d like to be an NFL quarterback or perhaps a famous ballet dancer. On other days you might even imagine yourself as a missionary tramping through a steaming jungle. When we’re young, we dream all kinds of possibilities. But when it’s time to really choose, which way do we go? That’s how I felt: What should I do with my life? How can I be more and do more for God?

At that time, a friend said, "Do you want something bigger and greater for your life?" Of course I did. That’s when my friend introduced me to a guy from the Bible named Jabez (JAY-bez).

He started with one short line from the Bible (1 Chronicles 4:9). Here’s how it goes: "Now, Jabez was more honorable than his brothers." So then my friend explained how this ordinary guy, Jabez, prayed that he might be more and do more for God (and remember, that’s what I wanted too). My friend finished by saying that God granted Jabez his request. And that was the end of the story. Pretty short story, huh? And yet, somehow I knew it was a really big deal!

Right then and there, I decided I wanted to be like this Jabez guy. I wanted to live a big life, too! So I decided to find out more about Jabez. I opened up my Bible and read all there was to read about Jabez: Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "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. (1 Chronicles 4:9-10, NKJV)

Kind of mysterious, isn’t it? Now you might be wondering, So what exactly is Jabez’s story?

Well, I’m glad you asked. Life probably didn’t start out well for Jabez. You see, the name Jabez means "pain." Now, everyone can be a nuisance sometimes, but how would you like to be called Pain every day?

But Jabez didn’t let his shaky beginning hold him back. Do you let some of your problems keep you from doing something really great with your life? Maybe you don’t like your name. Or perhaps you don’t like the way you look—you wish you were taller or shorter, or you don’t like your freckles, or you wish you didn’t have braces or glasses.

Well, guess what. Things haven’t changed all that much since the time of Jabez. We all have problems! We all have situations in our lives that seem totally unfair. But if we follow Jabez’s example, we won’t let our problems become a giant brick wall that blocks our way.

You see, Jabez faced his problems head-on. He came before God and did a very brave thing. He asked God to do something completely radical with his little ho-hum life. We know that because in the next line, we hear him praying to God. He says, "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!"

When you think about it, that’s quite a bold prayer, isn’t it? What made Jabez think God would do all those great things for an everyday guy like him? A guy whose name meant pain? But you know what? God did it! God answered Jabez’s prayer.

I slowly read again that prayer Jabez had prayed. It was a very short prayer—only four lines. But for some reason it stuck with me like glue.

The next morning I prayed the little prayer myself—word for word, just as Jabez had done so many years ago. And then I prayed it the next morning, too.

And the next.

And the next.

And the next.

Thirty years later, I still pray that little prayer. And it’s amazing how this prayer has made what could’ve been just an ordinary life into something much, much more! I know it can do the same for you, because I know God is just waiting to give you more—much, much more—than you’ve ever thought to ask Him for.

Just ask Jabez.

Adapted with permission from The Prayer of Jabez for Kids by Bruce Wilkinson and Melody Carlson. Published by Tommy Nelson ®, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Copyright ©2001 by Bruce Wilkinson.

	Q: What do you get when an antelope and a caribou collide? A: A cantaloupe. Jacy and Joe C., 8 and 6, North Carolina Clubhouse Jr. Click here to subscribe