The Importance Of Praying
In 1 Chron 4:9-10, there is a story of a man named Jabez. He was described as being the most distinguished, respected, and honorable member of his family. Why? Apparently, because he prayed to the Lord.
Prayer is so important to the Lord that He singled an individual out for mention in the Biblical record simply because he prayed. Queen Elizabeth understood this and made her first act as Queen a prayer of thanksgiving. Realizing that prayer could change a nation’s trajectory, President John Adams called on Americans to fast and pray on a particular day that France would not go to war with America. When Woodrow Wilson was governor, he and his wife prayed for guidance before making their first major decision. Prayer is important.
Does the Lord always answer our prayers by giving us what we ask? No. Even Jabez, who had his prayer request granted, did not have it granted in the precise way he had asked. Jabez was not asking for a pain-free life. It’s not a complete absence of pain that is requested because he also asks for an extension of success in work. Work involves toil and pain (Gen 3:17-19). This is also true of progress. Jesus learned obedience by what He suffered (Heb 5:8). Jabez must have suffered after this prayer because Jesus said that everyone will suffer in this evil world (Jn 16:33, CEV). Yet, he may not have experienced as much unnecessary suffering. Prayer is important.
We need to thank God, ask Him for what we want and need, and trust Him to answer us in accordance with what He knows to be best. God wants us to make requests of Him (Jas 4:2). Remember, though, God is far more concerned about the development of our character than He is about our comfort and freedom from short-term pain (Eph 6:12-13).
Comforting others is costly but worth it.