An Inspired Prayer
If you want to pray an inspired prayer, find a prayer that God has recorded in His Word. It is one way to know that it is the kind of prayer that God likes, especially when the Bible tells us that God answered it, like He did the prayer of Jabez.(I Chronicles 4:10) Let's consider this prayer again as a model for how we can pray.
I do not think it is a selfish prayer, even though Jabez asks for God to bless him and to enlarge his territory. Both of those requests are general, so that he is depending on God to answer in His will. Also, it shows that Jabez was ready for more responsibility, yet he was depending on the Lord, too. That makes God very happy.
The prayer asks for God's hand to be upon him. This is a realization that he needs God's power and direction for our lives. Specifically, we need His direction away from evil and sin, because that causes pain for us and others. I would say this prayer comes from a person with the right perspective on holiness and faith in the Lord. God honors both.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 5-7.
I do not think it is a selfish prayer, even though Jabez asks for God to bless him and to enlarge his territory. Both of those requests are general, so that he is depending on God to answer in His will. Also, it shows that Jabez was ready for more responsibility, yet he was depending on the Lord, too. That makes God very happy.
The prayer asks for God's hand to be upon him. This is a realization that he needs God's power and direction for our lives. Specifically, we need His direction away from evil and sin, because that causes pain for us and others. I would say this prayer comes from a person with the right perspective on holiness and faith in the Lord. God honors both.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 5-7.