The Prayer Of Jabez
& The Prayer Of James
by Sandy Simpson, 5/01


There are excellent resources out now reviewing the book "The Prayer Of Jabez" and those are listed on our web site under the section "Other Articles".

http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/other.html

I do not intend to do another review of the book, but rather to add a comment on this popular prayer of blessing and abundance.  I was reading James today and thought: "James would have opened his letter quite differently if he'd had the obviously superior information we have today about praying the prayer of Jabez.  James is just too negative."  With that in mind I thought about how James might be rewritten for today's enlightened Christian audience.

Now, I don't want to offend some of you by this illustration. I am not adding to or taking away from Scripture, but simply making a point.  Hopefully this little example will be enough to illustrate the point that we should actually follow what Scripture has to say on the subject of prayer and faith.

So here we go.  Changes are in italics.  Can you fill in the correct words without reading further?

James 1:1-10 (NIV -Revised Simpson Version)

1   James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
2   Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face situations of many kinds,
3   because you know that the testing of your faith develops abundance.
4   Abundance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5   If any of you lacks anything, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
6   But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
7   That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;
8   he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
9   The brother in humble circumstances ought to aspire to a high position.
10   But the one who is rich should take pride in his high position, because he will beautify the land like a wild flower.
I'm sure there are those of you who have no problem with the above revised translation.  As for me, I think I will go back to the original.  Something just doesn't sit right with all this talk of abundance.

James 1:1-10 (NIV)

1   James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
2   Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3   because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4   Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5   If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
6   But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
7   That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;
8   he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
9   The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.
10   But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.

But let's go on ...

11   For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
 12   Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Do you want your rewards now or later?  Would you rather ask for abundance or wisdom?  Did Solomon ask for abundance or wisdom?  Would you rather lay up treasures in heaven or on earth?

I hope this little exercise has made its point.  See if you can retranslate more Scriptures to fit the Prayer Of Jabez pragmatic repetitious prayer model.  Maybe we can get some others to wake up to this little book and the subtle Word Faith doctrines lurking beneath its covers.