Good morning,

Today's writing tells the story of Jabez which can educate us on how to go to God with our requests and prayers. Sandy has written, "We cry out to God just as Jabez did with a pure and righteous heart. Then watch and wait and see what our loving Heavenly Father shall do for us! He longs for us to come crawl into His lap, just be with Him, and share our hearts."

What do you want to ask Him to do for us. Will it, too, enlarge our territories? Let's give it to Him in praye

Crying out for more of God,Sandy Billingham
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Today's Devotional

".... Enlarge My Territory, Oh Lord..."
Written by
Sandy Billingham

We are all somewhat familiar with "The Prayer of Jabez." It is a wonderful prayer that Jabez cried out to the Lord with great humility. Let me refresh your memory as it is found in Scripture...

"Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers,

and his mother called his name Jabez, saying,

'Because I bore him in pain.' 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

Jabez' prayer was pure and deeply from his heart. As he prayed to the Lord, he prayed with great faith in his God. He did not pray out of selfish desires but from a desperate heart and a life to be used only for his God. He wanted nothing more than the Almighty's hand to be with him in all that he said and did for the remainder of his days.

He wanted the Lord to enlarge his territory. He was not satisfied with where he was at spiritually but he wanted so much more. He wanted the empowerment of the Lord so he could do the Lord's bidding on earth. In no way did he want to cause harm or pain to anyone. His prayer was that the Lord would bless him, and, in turn, Jabez would bless those that the Lord would set before him. He also asked that the Lord would keep him from evil.

The remarkable thing after Jabez prayed, was that God granted all that he had requested. God knew Jabez' motives and that he prayed from a clean and humble heart. God was well pleased with his son and was more than willing to answer his every prayer. He wanted Jabez to have a full and abundant life. Jabez was seeking just that and believed greatly that his God heard him and would deliver the answers to him.

That is what God wants for each and everyone of His children. He loves us to come to him. God will meet ever possible conceivable need that we could ever have. He is our ultimate source. God longs to bless us and overflow us with His goodness. He is just waiting for us to come to Him and ask. Well, you may think that Jabez just happen to be one of God's favorites.... but the truth of the matter is.. that each of us is His favorite.

We cry out to God just as Jabez did with a pure and righteous heart. Then watch and wait and see what our loving Heavenly Father shall do for us! He longs for us to come crawl into His lap, just be with Him, and share our hearts. You can be assured that He shall grant you the things you set before Him as you do so as with a heart as Jabez. Watch Him enlarge your territory and use you in divine and supernatural ways that only He can do through you.

Asking God to enlarge your territory is a risky but forever changing life's prayer. There will certainly be no turning back but pressing forward as our God does wondrous and amazing things before our very eyes!

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