The Prayer of Jabez
Encyclopedia
The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life is an inspirational Bruce Wilkinson
published in 2000 by Multnomah Books as the first book in the "BreakThrough" book series. It is based on the Old Testament passage
In the book, Wilkinson encourages Christians to invoke this prayer for themselves on a daily basis:
The book became an international bestseller, topping the New York Times bestseller list and selling nine million copies. It received the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association
Gold Medallion Book of the Year award
in 2001.
6:7-9. The commercialization of Jabez has also attracted criticism.
The Mantra of Jabez : A Christian Parody by Douglas M. Jones (Canon Press, ISBN 1-885767-88-9) was published in 2001.
Recording artist Derek Webb
has stated that his controversial song 'Wedding Dress' was written after he saw Wilkinson speak about The Prayer of Jabez.
Bruce Wilkinson
Bruce Wilkinson is a Christian teacher and author. He was born in New Jersey and graduated from Northeastern Bible College , Dallas Theological Seminary and Western Conservative Baptist Seminary . He served as a college professor at Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, Oregon, until...
published in 2000 by Multnomah Books as the first book in the "BreakThrough" book series. It is based on the Old Testament passage
- Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. (NIV)
In the book, Wilkinson encourages Christians to invoke this prayer for themselves on a daily basis:
- I challenge you to make the Jabez prayer for blessing part of the daily fabric of your life. To do that, I encourage you to follow unwaveringly the plan outlined here for the next thirty days. By the end of that time, you'll be noticing significant changes in your life, and the prayer will be on its way to becoming a treasured, lifelong habit.
The book became an international bestseller, topping the New York Times bestseller list and selling nine million copies. It received the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association
Evangelical Christian Publishers Association
The is an international non-profit trade association whose member companies are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide...
Gold Medallion Book of the Year award
Gold Medallion Book Award
The Christian Book Award is an annual award given by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association to honor Christian content in several categories, including Bibles, Fiction, Children, Inspiration, Bible Reference, and Non-Fiction. Winners are announced each year at the industry's Executive...
in 2001.
Derivative works
The popularity of the original book has led its publisher, Multnomah Press, to extend the line to a number of derivative works targeted at niche audiences, as well as to offer the books in audio and video formats. They also authorized a wide array of official "Prayer of Jabez" merchandise including key chains, mugs, backpacks, Christmas ornaments, scented candles, mouse pads, and a framed artist's conception of Jabez himself. A line of jewelry was introduced in 2002.- Three versions rewritten for children, one each targeted at preschoolers, 8-12 year olds and teens
- The Prayer of Jabez Journal
- The Prayer of Jabez Devotional (one edition for children, one for adults)
- The Prayer of Jabez Bible Study
- The Prayer of Jabez for Women written by Wilkinson's wife, Darlene
- a musical companion, The Prayer of Jabez Music ... A Worship Experience (ForeFront Records)
- The Healing of Jabez by John W. Mauck ('Credo House Publishers, ISBN 978-1-935391-29-6) was published in 2009.
Criticism
Jabez has been compared to the "prosperity gospel" and has received the reproaches often addressed toward that doctrine, e.g. that the Jabez prayer suggests that God ought to do what man wants, instead of man following God's will. Some have taken issue with the form of the prayer, citing Jesus' admonition against "vain repetitions" in MatthewGospel of Matthew
The Gospel According to Matthew is one of the four canonical gospels, one of the three synoptic gospels, and the first book of the New Testament. It tells of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth...
6:7-9. The commercialization of Jabez has also attracted criticism.
The Mantra of Jabez : A Christian Parody by Douglas M. Jones (Canon Press, ISBN 1-885767-88-9) was published in 2001.
Recording artist Derek Webb
Derek Webb
Derek Walsh Webb is an American singer-songwriter who first entered the music industry as a member of the band Caedmon's Call, and later embarked on a successful solo career....
has stated that his controversial song 'Wedding Dress' was written after he saw Wilkinson speak about The Prayer of Jabez.