Days 88-89: 2 Kings 21:1-1 Chronicles 4:43

O.K. I will admit it. I am having a hard time keeping up with my Bible readings as of late. It does not help that these readings are very stale. Essentially I have been reading lists of ancient Near East names that are hard to pronounce. Just saying the names is distracting. By the end of a family genealogy, I have to stop, go back and figure out what the point of the list was.

I did come across the prayer of Jabez today. It has great significance for me. In around grade 11, a teacher of mine told us about the prayer and started reading a book about it in class. I thought that I had nothing to lose and I could see what it did in my life. I prayed the prayer everyday and I found myself noticing blessings coming into my life. It may be that I expected blessings and therefore noticed them when they came even when small. It was a daily reminder, a windlass that fixed my course on gratitude not complacency. It is not a vending machine prayer, or at least not ought to be one that fosters a consumerist attitude towards God. Rather it is a prayer that fosters daily turning to God, recognizing that everything I have and am comes from Him

Well, here is the Prayer of Jabez:

Jabez called on the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. (1 Chr. 4:9-10)

Interesting anecdote: it was after praying this prayer for about a month or two, I started going out with the girl who would eventually become my fiance now. I thank the Lord everyday for her.

Well, I'm tired, and I think I will be heading to get some sleep soon.

1359 pages to go!