Weekly Reflections
Current Reflection
Archived Reflections

Hello everyone, 

Today, Saturday 22nd. November we have 1649 people from all over the world and from many Christian and some non-Christian denominations joining together in prayer. Our reflection this week is all about The Prayer of Jabez and is a collection of reflections Bob and Debbie Gass of The Word for Today.

So many of the prayer requests are a cry for help with finances or businesses which are in trouble. I'm one of those who have great difficulty in praying for money, somehow it doesn't seem right. Yet, 
when you think about it, the Lord wants only what is good for us. If we need money to make ends meet or to provide for the family, than that is a legitimate need. But we have to ask and that's what The Prayer of Jabez is all about. 

Mind you, God only wants what is good for us and sometimes money or current business success is not what He has in mind. What He really wants is complete trust. He wants us to follow Him in ALL things, in truth and honesty, in chastity and integrity, in generosity and sharing, in forgiveness and loving. When we give our all to Him, He will respond. 

One of the nicest little prayers of trust is the Serenity Prayer. It says it all but we must do as we ask and then let go and believe. This little prayer has been around for a lot longer than you think. It was found as a soldier's prayer on a 14th century prayercard:

"Almighty God, our heavenly father, give us serenity to accept what cannot be changed, courage to change what should be changed, and wisdom to know the one from the other. Amen"

Right then, here is the Jabez Series from Bob and Debbie Gass - enjoy them!

**************************************************

A Life-Changing Prayer

"AND GOD GRANTED HIM THAT WHICH HE REQUESTED." 1 Chronicles 4:10 

Multitudes are now praying The Prayer of Jabez each day. Who are they? People who are tired of settling for less and want to do more for God. People who've discovered that they can exchange their lack, for His provision. People who've come to understand that certain blessings are only given, when you ask for them. 

People who realize that God's blessings bring supernatural favor that affects every aspect of your life. People who make their wants, subservient to His plans. People who believe that God will decide what their blessings should be, when they're qualified to handle them, and how they should receive them. People who believe that when you pray for what God desires, the unhindered forces of heaven begin to accomplish His purposes through you!James says, 'You do not have, because you do not ask' (Jas 4:2). 

If you don't ask, you won't get all you're supposed to have; you'll actually forfeit those blessings that come only when you do.God describes Himself as 'abundant in goodness' (Ex 34:6). If you're used to thinking of Him any other way - change the way you think! Make a life-long commitment right now to ask God to bless you every day - and to bless you a lot (that's what 'indeed' means). Somehow Jabez discovered that it was God's nature, God's will, and God's desire, to bless Him. So he asked, and his life was changed. Why don't you begin doing that too? 

**************************************************

The Prayer Of Jabez - Part One

"OH THAT THOU WOULDEST BLESS ME INDEED..." 1 Chronicles 4:10 

Jabez prayed a four-part prayer that changed his entire life! Listen, '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' (1 Chron 4:10). 

Let's look at part one:'Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed.' Some people think God's blessings just drop into our lap without any faith or effort on our part, or that it's wrong to ask for them, or that He's upset when you do. Yet His Word says that: (a) His blessings bring wealth (Prov 10:22) (b) He delights in seeing us succeed (Ps 35:27) (c) He teaches us how to profit (Isa 48:17) (d) He multiplies what we invest (2 Cor 9:6) (e) He gives us things to enjoy (1Tim 6:17).In his book, The Prayer of Jabez, Bruce Wilkinson points out that we need a new definition of the word 'bless.' It's not just something we say over our food or when somebody sneezes. 

No wonder we aren't desperate to receive it. God's blessing made Abraham a successful businessman, Joseph wiser than everybody else in Egypt, and David undefeatable in any contest. That's the kind of blessing you need, isn't it?Jabez didn't ask for a Cadillac or a six-figure income. He left it to God to decide what he needed, in order to fulfil his life's purpose. But he refused to stay where he was. So he prayed, 'Oh that You would bless me indeed.' Why don't you pray that prayer today too? 

**************************************************

The Prayer Of Jabez - Part Two

"OH, THAT YOU WOULD...ENLARGE MY TERRITORY!" 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV) 

Jabez wanted more influence than he presently had. He wanted to make a mark for God. So he prayed, 'Lord, take everything You've given me and multiply it!' If he'd been a farmer, he'd have prayed, 'Lord, give me a bumper crop!' If he'd been a homemaker, he'd have prayed, 'Lord, give this family impact in this community!' If he'd been a stockbroker, he'd have prayed, 'Lord, increase the value of my portfolio.''Is it right to ask God for more business?' you ask. Absolutely! Listen, '...God...giveth thee power to get wealth...' (Deut 8:18).

God will bless your business, so that you can underwrite His! Not only is it right to ask - He's waiting for you to do so! God's actually looking for those who want to do more for Him, because most of us shrink from this level of blessing.That's because we're working with timid faith and the wrong formula. We think, 'My abilities + experience + personality + appearance + lucky breaks + the cooperation of others = my destiny.' No, you've left God out! Here's the right equation: 'My weakness x God's almightiness = more blessing, more territory, and more impact for Him.'Every miracle begins with a bold request. When you don't take a step of faith, you don't need God. 

But when you cry, 'Enlarge my territory,' He provides everything you need to fulfil His purposes, and He gives you a front-row seat in a life of miracles. Today, why don't you pray, 'Oh that You would enlarge my territory.' 

**************************************************

The Prayer Of Jabez - Part Three

"OH, THAT...YOUR HAND [WOULD] BE WITH ME..." 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV) 

When God begins to bless you, your opportunities can outrun your strength, your experience, and your resources. God's blessings can actually 'overtake' you (Deut 28:2). Imagine having more business than you can handle, more opportunities than you can respond to, more demands on your gift than you can fulfil. 

That's the reason Jabez prayed, 'When I'm successful, keep me dependent on You!' Why do you think the Bible says, '...if riches increase, set not your heart upon them' (Ps 62:10). Or, 'Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you!' (Lk 6:26). God's saying, 'When you're successful, don't get out of balance. Keep first things first! Always lean on Me!'Big-screen heroes may not put much stock in dependence, but you and I were made for it. God's plan has never been to make you great, but to keep you humble, and become great through you. Listen: 'The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His...' (2 Chron 16:9 NAS). 

God wants to be your support system! He's not scanning the horizon for spiritual giants, He's just looking for people He can trust with more of His blessings.Paul says, '...not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God' (2 Cor 3:5 NLT). For us, dependence is just another word for power! That's why you need to pray today, 'Lord, keep Your hand on me!' 

**************************************************

The Prayer Of Jabez - Part Four

"OH, THAT YOU WOULD...KEEP ME FROM HARM..." 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV) 

Be careful! Success can dull your sense of dependence, and make you presumptuous. It can give you a wrong (and dangerous) view of your own strength. That's why Jabez prayed, 'Lord, when I'm successful, keep me from harm.' One fourth of the Lord's Prayer is asking for protection. David and Solomon didn't get into trouble until they became kings. Wise up!Someone has said, 'Danger is not being on the edge of the precipice, it's being unwatchful there.' Too many of us 'blow it' because we think we're immune to the pitfalls that claim others. You're no match for the devil! He approached Adam and Eve at the peak of their performance and crushed them with one conversation. Stay out of places you shouldn't be in! Watch for things that feed your carnal nature! Refuse to walk with those who are not going God's way!

Bruce Wilkinson tells of a Roman gladiator in big trouble. Somehow he's dropped his sword, and the enraged lion, seeing its opportunity, is in mid-lunge, jaws wide open. In horror the gladiator tries to flee. The caption reads, 'Sometimes you can't afford to come in second!'The best strategy for defeating a roaring lion is to stay out of the arena. That's why Jabez's final request in prayer was, 'Lord, keep me from harm.' You need to pray that prayer today too! 

**************************************************

Still praying the Prayer of Jabez?

"JABEZ WAS MORE HONOURABLE THAN HIS BROTHERS ...[HE] CRIED OUT TO THE GOD OF ISRAEL" 1 CHRONICLES 4:9 (NIV) 

Jabez prayed a short prayer and his life changed forever. He prayed for: (1) Greater success: 'Oh, that You would bless me indeed... ' (2) Greater influence: 'And enlarge my territory... ' (3) Greater power: 'That Your hand would be with me..:' (4) Greater protection: 'That You would keep me from evil, [and] God granted him what he requested.' (1 Chronicles 4:10 NKJ).

How come this prayer works? Because when you pray it, you’re asking God for exactly what He wants you to have. How come it works for some and not others? Because all God’s promises come with conditions. Listen: 'Jabez was...honourable.' If you want what he had, you’ve got to do what he did.

Now you don’t have to do anything to earn God’s love, but you do have to do certain things to experience His blessing. 'We...receive whatever we request because we obey Him... ' (1 John 3:22 NLT).

Are your motives right? James writes, '... you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives... '(James 4:3 NIV). Is your heart right? David said, 'If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me' (Psalm 66:18). Sin will clog the pipeline of all future blessings.

Once you have the ‘all-clear’ with God, you can start praying the Prayer of Jabez and expect breakthroughs and blessings, because God knows what you need, when you need it, and how to get it to you! 

**************************************************

So there you have it folks till next week. Two little reminders again for this week - Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations, the form on the website has the address included where they can be forwarded. And prayers for the Holy Souls, with prayers for them below.

http://www.circleofprayer.com/vocations-poster.html
http://www.circleofprayer.com/vocations-form.html

Here's the Vocations website:

http://www.vocation.com

And here's the Holy Souls Crusade website:

http://www.holysoulscrusade.org

May God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you and yours and
may Mary keep you in Her heavenly mother's care.

Mary Mullins in Galway, Ireland

**************************************************

Chaplet of the Holy Souls

This Chaplet can be prayed on a set of Rosary Beads.

Begin with: The Creed, then 1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be for the Pope’s intentions.

On Large Beads Pray: 

O holy souls draw the fire of God’s Love into my soul to reveal Jesus crucified in me, here on earth, rather than hereafter in Purgatory.

On Small Beads Pray:

Crucified Lord Jesus have mercy on the souls in Purgatory

End with: Glory Be three times

Cardinal Newman’s Prayer for the Holy Souls

O most gentle heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on the souls of Your servants. Bring them from the shadows of exile to Your bright home in Heaven, where we trust You and Your Blessed Mother have woven for them a crown of unfolding bliss. Amen.

Prayer of St. Gertrude for the Holy Souls

Eternal Father, I offer you the Most Precious Blood of your Divine Son, 
Jesus, in union with all the masses said throughout the world today for 
all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the 
Universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen."

Prayer for Your Family

"O Dear Jesus, I humbly implore You to grant Your special graces to our family this day. In Your Divine Mercy make our home a shrine of peace, love and faith. I beg You, Dear Jesus, to protect and bless all of us and our families absent and present, living and dead. O Mary loving Mother of Jesus and our Mother, pray to Jesus the Divine Mercy for our family, and for all the families of the world. Ask Him to guard the tiny infant in the womb, the cradle of the newborn, the young in the schools and those about to start their vocations in life. Amen"

Prayer for Your Adult Children

"Heavenly Mother, keep us always in mind of Your Son's great mercy and understanding as we pray for our children. They are grown up now and have left us and are living their own lives according to their own ideals. We feel anxious and worried because they do not seem to feel the need for Christ. to understand the wisdom of His ways, or to be fully at ease with us or themselves. Intervene, dearest Mother, in their lives at the moment You know to be right and help them to understand the things that lead to their peace. Help them to see the need of Christ and to experience the greatness of His love, so that we may all proclaim as You did, that His mercy truly is from generation to generation. Amen"

Prayer for the World

"JESUS of NAZARETH has triumphed over Death. His Reign is Eternal. He is coming to conquer the
world and the time.

"Mercy, my God on those who blaspheme You,
Forgive them, they know not what they do.

"Mercy, my God, for the scandal in the world,
Deliver them from the spirit of Satan.

"Mercy, my God, on those who run away from You
Give them an appreciation for the Holy Eucharist.

"Mercy, my God, on those who come to repent at the foot of the Glorious Cross. May they find Peace and Joy in God our Saviour.

"Mercy, my God, so that Your Kingdom may come, but save souls, there is still time; for the time is near, behold, I am coming. Amen

Come, Lord Jesus."

Recite one decade of the Rosary

"Lord, pour out on the whole world the treasures of Your Infinite Mercy."

"Through the Mystery of Your Holy Incarnation,
deliver us from all evil, Lord.

Through Your Nativity,
deliver us from all evil, Lord.

Through Your Baptism and Holy Fasting,
deliver us from all evil, Lord.

Through Your Cross and Passion,
deliver us from all evil, Lord.

Through Your Death and Burial,
deliver us from all evil, Lord.

Through Your Holy Resurrection,
deliver us from all evil, Lord.

Through Your Admirable Ascension,
deliver us from all evil, Lord.

Through the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete,
deliver us from all evil, Lord.

Through Him whose Name reigns eternal,
deliver us from all evil, Lord."

Prayer of Protection

Blessed Michael the Archangel, protect us in the hour of conflict. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God restrain him, we humbly pray, and do thou, Oh Prince of the Heavenly Hosts, by the Power of God, thrust satan down to hell and with him all the wicked spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen

**************************************************

All of the Reflections to date are available to read in the Archives on the website for anyone who's interested.

The Weekly Intentions are available on a plain page to be able to print off and kept to hand for your own prayer time. The list has become too long now to include each week but please say the
two wee prayers below. The Loving Father knows the heart of each person requesting prayer.

"Father, bless all those who have requested prayers in whatever it is that You know they may be needing this day! Father, we ask You to heal the broken bodies, broken minds, broken spirits, broken hearts and broken marriages and may all their lives be full of Your peace, prosperity, and power as they seek to have a close relationship with You. Amen."

"Thank You Jesus for answering our prayers because we know You hear every prayer and never refuse to answer. You are providing answers and healings from the prayers of all these wonderful people. Praise God!"

"Breathe in me O Holy Spirit that my thoughts may all be holy;
Act in me O Holy Spirit that my work, too, may be holy;
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit to defend all that is holy;
Guard me then O Holy Spirit that I always may be holy."

"O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me, tell me what I should do. Give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know Your will. Amen"

May God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless and guide you and yours and may Mary keep you in Her heavenly mother's care.

Mary in Galway

'The fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith; the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service; the fruit of service is peace.'