Darlene Marie Wilkinson - The Prayer of Jabez for Women

Darlene Maries Letter to You

If youre like me, at some point or another youve probably looked down the road youre traveling and thought, Is this all there is, or is there more to this journey through life than Im currently experiencing?

Thats a great question.

And the little prayer I want to introduce you to can help you find the answer. Its only one sentence with four parts, and it is located in an obscure part of the Bible. But I believe that it contains a powerful secret that has the potential to change your journey from ordinary to extraordinary. Of course, it was never meant to be a secret, but then, isnt everything a secret to us until we discover it?

I believe that God wants you to find out for yourself what is so amazing about these four requests made by a man named Jabez. In fact, you are an answer to my prayer that God would deliver this message into the hands and hearts of millions of women around the world. Wont you join me on the journey of a lifetime?

I am praying you will!

Darlene Marie

E very summer I look forward to attending our towns annual Fourth of July parade. This year the weather is perfectsunny and warm with a light breeze. Hundreds of people line the streets, which are abuzz with anticipation. I maneuver myself for a better position in the crowd as our local high school band rounds the corner. The sound of trumpets reaches my ears. Finally, horses, clowns, and floats come into view.

She is standing on her tiptoes, stretching her small frame as high as she can.

Thats when I notice hera little girl with curly blond hair just a few feet to my right. She is standing on her tiptoes, stretching her small frame as high as she can to see over the heads of the children in front of her. Moments later, an extra-wide man moves in front of the girl, and shes left looking at the back of his belt. As I watch, she begins to jump up and down, desperately trying to catch a better view. Finally, unable to handle her frustration any longer, she cries out, I cant see, Daddy! I want to see more.

A tall, nice-looking man who has been standing a short distance away comes over, reaches down, and tenderly lifts her up into his arms. She smiles with delight. Finally shes able to fully enjoy the parade.

Thats the picture that comes to mind when I think about what happens when God knows I am stretching for a better view of my life. Its as if He picks me up in His loving arms and shows me something I couldnt see from my current or limited perspective.

He has a special plan to abundantly bless you and then bless others through you.

The powerful little prayer Im about to share with you is also about seeing things from a new vantage point. I believe that God brought you to this book because He wants to show you something surprising and amazing about His intentions for you. He has a special plan to abundantly bless you and then bless others through youand He doesnt want you to miss out on a minute of it!

The first time I heard about the prayer of Jabez, I didnt really give it much thought. At the time I was busy working on my Ph.T. degree (putting hubby through school). After seminary, Bruce took a teaching position, and I became a stay-at-home mom with our first two children, David and Jennifer. I loved my role as wife and mother and was enjoying my dream come true.

But then it happened. The endless list of things to do to raise a family, run a household, and be the wife of a traveling husband convinced me of the truth of the statement A womans work is never done. Dont misunderstand, some days I felt like the richest woman in the world. But other days left me thinking something I never thought I would think: