God Answered Our Request

 The Actual Card we used to pray.

Praying the Prayer of Jabez

Years ago there was a little book going around written by Bruce Wilkinson, called, the Prayer of Jabez. It had quite an impact on the world. I don’t know about all of that, all I know is that in 2014, Bob and I would sit at breakfast, pray over our food and then we’d read the prayer of Jabez out loud. We did this every morning for about six months.

Our motives were not so we would receive material blessings; our motive was that God would bless us so we could bless others and reach more people for His glory.

We began to attend Journey Church and met new people. We joined a J-group (small group) where we met wonderful Christian brothers and sisters (Shawn and Kathy Stafford were our first mentors and then Jim and Cherie Rozendal; amazing men and women who we treasure greatly) Pastor Matt Tumas introduced us to Doug Diamond and we became a part of the Prayer Team and began praying before each service for both campuses. We are part of a team of men and women; I have to also mention Robin St. Pierre, I don’t know what I would have done without her mentorship… we pray for our pastors, the congregation, souls, marriages, finances, children, ministries, volunteers and so on…. The church went from two services to three, and we were given the opportunity to be leaders of the prayer team for the third service. We went through Growth Track, (Learned more about the mission and vision of the Church and to grow closer to the Lord). We attended men’s and women’s Bible study. Became small group leaders…and volunteered in the ministry. We’ve seen many souls saved and lives transformed over the last four years. I believe it’s because we prayed the prayer of Jabez…Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him what he requested. I Chronicles 4:10

God answered our prayer.

Doug Diamond our brother in the Lord, man of prayer and vision for the Lord, asked Bob to pray about going with him and two other men (Jason Maikkula and Cliff Williamson) to Haiti, a couple of months ago. I immediately said, “Oh yes you should go.” It has always been a passion of mine to be a missionary…but God had me on a different path. My mission field was in prayer and intercession. So we prayed about it together and Bob said he felt he should go. From that trip 23 elders were saved and three children. When God is involved, his anointing flows and souls are born into His kingdom to bring honor and glory to His name…Praise Jesus.

We realized this morning that God has indeed blessed us and enlarged our coasts, God’s hand is with us, he has kept evil from us and we have brought blessings to others and not hurt. God has granted our request and has brought glory to His name…Praise God.

You see when God calls you, and you answer, he puts His desires within you…because it is Him, living in your heart. Holy Spirit speaks to your inner man and His plan is brought about by obedience, He will confirm it to you by two or more witnesses…you, just need to be willing. Jesus will take you places you never thought possible, He will broaden your vision, extend your boarders, give you joy and peace in every situation…He’ll bring people into your life that will bless you and that will stretch you so that God gets all the glory.

He said when you seek for Him with all your heart, you will find Him. It’s not that he is hiding…it’s that your awareness of Him will be enlightened and you will want to seek Him, He lets you find Him. The life He gives is more adventurous, more fulfilling, than anything else you could possibly do.

God bless you on your life’s journey…Pray, means to ask… Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him what he request. I Chronicles 4:10

Pray the prayer of Jabez today…but only if you want, what God, wants, and He will grant your request…Amen!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill May 1, 2018

1 Chronicles 4:10 New King James Version (NKJV) 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.