“And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” 1 Chronicles 4:9-10.

That you are in Christ does not interpret that crisis is over in your life. Jabez was from the genealogy of Judah, the leading and most famous tribe in Israel yet he was living in pain and sorrow. (1Chron 4:1). You don’t name your children consequent to the circumstances surrounding their birth like Jabez and Ichabod. (1 Chron 4:8, 1 Sam 14:12) as this could go a long way affecting their destinies. As christians our names should be borne of revelation rather than circumstance. For a follower of this inspiration, as the Lord changed the name of Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel and that of Jabez from sorrow to Joy; He will turn your pain to gain, your story to glory and He will give you a new name in Jesus name. Are you presently living under the spell attached to your name? Are you always receiving attacks from the enemy’s camp because your name glorifies satan? Then you need a miracle, you need a change of name. One peculiar trait that initiated change in the life of Jabez was that he knew his God, he had a relationship with God. (1 Chron 4:9).

Jabez built a mutual fellowship with the living and true God, who alone can hear and answer prayer; and, in prayer he regarded him as a God in covenant with his people and resolved to devote himself entirely to God. Folks, you cannot approach who you don’t know for help without first building communion or mutual friendship. Deep calleth unto deep, not unto shallow. (Psalm 42:7). Do you really need a miracle? Then draw near to God and He will do same to you. (James 4:8). Are you far from God as the heaven is far from the earth? Are you living a life of sin? Repent today for Prayer will make you cease from sin, or sin will entice you to cease from prayer. Why? So that your miracle can appear. Jesus said; you worship who you don’t know, I mean you speak to who you don’t know, but I worship, I speak to who I know. (John 4:22- emphasis mine). Do you know the one you approach in prayer? Who do you engage your heart with? For the one you engage your heart with, determines your progress in life. (Jeremiah 30:21). Cultivate a relationship with Jesus today and surely He’ll visit you beyond the miracle you desire of Him.

Prayer Lines: Father, help me to constantly engage my heart to approach you, Jesus I’m tired of monologue, let my relationship with you be that of a dialogue.