Welcome to week Seven of our Summer Sizzle Series where my fellow blogger friends are sharing their top posts here. I have been personally blessed by the friendships and prayers I received by each one of these amazing Sisters in Christ.

Today, it is my joy to introduce Melanie Redd who is a prayer warrior, an encourager, and a selfless friend.  This post will give you a glimpse of what a beautiful and amazing blogger Melanie is and her call to write for the Lord.

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It was one of the most amazing conferences I’ve ever been to.

Hundreds of pastors and wives gathered to attend a special weekend at Ridgecrest Retreat Center near Black Mountain, NC. Our keynote speaker was author Bruce Wilkinson.

That was the first time I heard about a little prayer tucked away in the pages of 1 Chronicles 4:10.

It’s called, “The Prayer of Jabez,” and it’s a wonderful little prayer packed with power.

I’d like to invite you to read over the words and pray these words back to the Lord for your life and your future.

Honestly, I started praying these words almost every day 20 years ago, and I have seen the Lord do amazing things in my life since I began. It’s not some hocus-pocus; instead, it’s taking the words of scripture and praying them back to the Lord.

In Mark 11:23-24, Jesus spoke these words to His disciples:

“Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

So, today, would you pray with me and believe that God can answer your prayers?

The Prayer of Jabez:

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.

1 Chronicles 4:10, NKJV

How to meaningfully make the prayer of Jabez personal

And Jabez called on the God of Israel.

“Oh, Father, we call upon You. You are the God of Israel and You are my God. You are the God who saves me, and I trust You. Thank You that when I call upon You, You promise to listen.

Also, You tell me You will answer me and show me marvelous things that I do not know. Would You do that today? Would You hear and answer me? And, would You show me great and mighty things that I need to know?”

Oh, that You would bless me indeed.

“Lord, would You bless me indeed. Would You open the heavens and pour out rich blessings upon my life? As I bring my tithes and gifts to You, would You open the windows of heaven for me? Will You pour out a blessing so great that I won’t have enough room to take it in?

Father, I ask You to bless me spiritually. I praise You, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for the way You have blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

I ask that You bless me with the peace that passes understanding, with joy overflowing, with wisdom to see and understand Your ways, with Your love for those around me, with discernment as I make decisions, and with grace for unexpected turns up ahead.  

Also, I ask You to bless me financially. As I work, budget, save, tithe, and live; would You make me wise with my finances? You promise to provide all that we need for life and godliness. Would You graciously provide for every true need of our lives? 

And, would You bless me with power and strength today? I need You! Without You, I’m a mess. But, with You, I can do all things. I ask that You anoint me, endorse me, empower me, encourage me, and establish me.  Please, bless the work of my hands today”

And enlarge my territory.

“Oh, God, would You enlarge my territory? Would You expand my horizons and my borders? Would You take my life and use me like You never have before? I will enlarge the place of my tent; stretch out the curtains of my dwellings, spare not; lengthen my cords and strengthen my pegs. As I do this and make more room, I ask You to abundantly work in and through my life.  

Would You enlarge my influence, enlarge my ministry, enlarge my work and business, enlarge my heart for You? Lord, Would You give me a love for You greater than I’ve ever had? Would You give me a love for the Bible and for prayer like I’ve never had in the past? 

And, would You give me more love for the lost and those in need as I’ve never had before? Would You give me a desire to know You above all else? Deep within my heart, light a fire for You that will passionately burn and grow. I want to know You.”

That Your hand would be with me.

“Lord, let Your hand be with me; I’ve chosen to walk with You. I’ve chosen Your Word and Your way. Thank You that I don’t have to fear because You are with me. You strengthen me, help me, and uphold me with Your righteous right hand.

I ask that Your hand would lead me, protect me, strengthen me, and be an all-sufficient hand for my life. I’m so thankful that You are with me.

By Your hand, would You also protect me? Keep me from places I don’t need to go. Keep me from people I don’t need to see or deal with today. Surround me with Your protection. You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Thank You for being with me.”  

And that You would keep me from evil.

“Oh, Father, deliver me from evil. Keep me from the evil of affliction, and especially from the evil of sin. Keep me also from the evil one, Satan, and from all evil men and evil company.

Additionally, would You keep me from the evil of trouble and all the evil designs of my enemies, that they might not hurt my life or my family? I ask that You protect me from evil as I press in close to You.

Also, I ask that You give me victory over evil as I put on Your armor. I am strong in You and in Your mighty power. I will stand with the belt of truth buckled around my waist. I’ll put on the breastplate of righteousness and have my feet ready to share the gospel of peace.

I’ll take up the shield of faith, which will enable me to extinguish all of the flaming arrows of the evil one. And, I’ll put on the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit – Your Word. 

So, God granted him what he requested.

“God, You are the granter of requests, the One who answers prayer, and the only One to whom I turn right now. I ask that, like you did with Jabez, You would grant me Your favor and answer my prayers. You can do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that I might ask or think. You are able!

Thank You for hearing my prayer today. 

I do love you, Lord. 

In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.”

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About Melanie :

Melanie is a Christian blogger, Motivational Speaker, Author, and Marketing and Social Media Consultant. She’s married to Randy and mom to two awesome college students. God’s grace never ceases to amaze her. The Ministry of Hope is all about helping others to succeed in ministry and in life. All of our messages, written materials, blog posts, and resources are designed to offer hope and encouragement

You can find out more about Melanie & her ministry at www.melanieredd.com 

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Hope you are greatly inspired by your visit today! If this prayer post encouraged you wont you share it with your friends and family ?

Diana

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