Prayer is one of those things that’s easy to take for granted. We say grace before meals, ask for safe travels, or throw up a quick “Lord, help me” when life gets messy. But what if one short prayer, just a few simple lines, held the key to unlocking the spiritual breakthrough you've been waiting for?

Most people scroll past it. It’s tucked away in a genealogy, hidden in a book few study closely. But those who pause to learn from the Prayer of Jabez discover something powerful: a way of praying that can reshape your mindset, your purpose, and maybe even the direction of your life.

Ignore this, and you risk missing out on the kind of bold, faith-filled prayer that God loves to answer. But lean in, and like Jabez, you might find that one prayer can change everything.

The Prayer of Jabez is a short but powerful prayer found in 1 Chronicles 4:10 (ESV):

“Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!’ And God granted what he asked.”

For centuries, Jabez’s prayer stayed mostly under the radar. But then, in 2000, Bruce Wilkinson’s book, The Prayer of Jabez, became a worldwide bestseller, reviving interest in this little-known biblical figure. Suddenly, people everywhere were praying, “Lord, bless me and enlarge my territory,” hoping for their own breakthroughs.

That’s what happened to me when I picked up The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson years ago. A few pages in, I found myself underlining lines, rereading chapters, and praying differently. Not just for safety or blessings, but for boldness, for impact, and for the courage to trust God with more.

Now let's find out more about Jabez and the prayer!