ask God to expand your territory

1 Chronicles 4:9–10, NIV
9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, 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.

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My name means, “Made famous in battle" or "Famous warrior.” It is Germanic in origin and is also the family name of French royalty. La Reigne is a Queen, who reigns in victory.

I love my name.

Jabez probably didn’t love his. Because Jabez literally means Sorrow – Born with Pain.

What was his mother thinking? Can you imagine the stigma associated with that name? And how awful it must have been for Jabez to speak that over himself over and over again. “How do you do? I’m Sorrow – Born with Pain.”

But, Jabez does not let the negative associations of his birth or his name affect his future. Instead, he acknowledges God’s lordship and calls on God to bless him.

“Oh, that You would bless me”
Jabez recognises it is only God who has the power to bless him in the way he needs to be blessed, so he asks God for provision and increase.

“And enlarge my territory...”
And he asks for enlargement - not of physical territory - but spiritual. This is about taking ground for God. Jabez is not merely speaking in terms of wealth and prosperity (although he understands he needs God to release resources). Jabez wants to impact the world for the kingdom of God.

He wants his spiritual territory to increase, to bring influence, to claim nations and generations for Jesus. 

“Your hand be with me”
Jabez understands the power of God’s hand to protect and guide. When Jabez prays, he speaks against the testimony of his name and is not bound by the shame it covered him in. and he trusts God for his future.

Not a formula
Jabez was not using prayer as a formula to get something from God. Instead, he called on God to help him accomplish the God's own promises! And God honours those who honour him. He not only granted Jabez his request, but also considered Jabez more honourable than his brothers!

Do the honourable thing
We need to do the honourable thing today and ask Jesus for increase. We need increased favour, wisdom, skills, abilities so we can take things to a new level. We also need increased opportunities to share the gospel and show God's love to others.

The specific sphere of influence is not important. What is important is that we choose to go along with God’s plans and expand his kingdom here on earth.