Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-1
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, clinic saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

Thought for the Day: Because his birth causes his mother pain, she names him Jabez, an ancient Hebrew word that connotes sorrow. Yet he prays to God, through whom Jabez finds the strength and inspiration to live a virtually painless life as an honorable human. The significance of this was apparent even to the author of Chronicles, who stops to add detail to Jabez in an otherwise standard genealogy.

I don’t think the message here is that if we pray hard enough everything will be fixed. Prayer can’t bring back the innocent youth slain in senseless acts of violence. I also don’t think the message is that if we act honorably God will give us anything we want –as those who sell the Gospel of Wealth would have us believe.

But prayer can, as Jabez would attest, connect us with a God who grants our request and relieves our pain not by granting wishes, but by actually caring enough to accompany us on our journey. Prayer connects us with a God who struggles with us through our trouble, in a very real way. Jesus’ suffering on the cross reminds us that God is suffering with us, through tragedy after tragedy. God is there, always easing our pain by simply being present. And while today, the name of our nation might also be Jabez, I know that tomorrow, and the next day, and in the weeks and months ahead, God’s constant and never-ending love will help ease our pain and ultimately, allow us all to live together as honorable people.

Prayer: My honor, faith, and joy comes from you, Holy God of Happiness! In troubled times, make your Love known to me, for it is your love that eases my pain. Amen.