A long, long time ago, when I was a student at a Southern California Bible college, there was a series of events that began at the school and had an enormous influence on untold numbers of people.  What started as a time of prayer in one of the men’s dorm rooms grew to impact the entire campus community, members of the governor’s administration in Sacramento, and ultimately, and island nation in the Caribbean.

Earlier in the school year, Bruce Wilkinson had been to the college for a week-long series of meetings.  That conference was overall a highly impactful week for many of us on campus.  In one of his messages, Wilkinson spoke on the prayer prayed by Jabez, a little-known character in the Old Testament.  Jabez gets two verses in the entire Bible (1 Chronicles 4:9-10), but the impact of those verses has been significant on many, many people.  They read:

“Jabez was the most distinguished of his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I bore him with pain.” Jabez prayed to the God of Israel: “Oh, that you may truly bless me and extend my boundaries! May your hand be with me and make me free of misfortune, without pain!” And God granted his prayer.”

Wilkinson had encouraged his hearers to consider this short prayer of Jabez in everything they set out to do. He encouraged them to trust their God to bless them as they obeyed His leading and to extend the boundaries of their impact for the Kingdom of God. To pray as well for His guidance, strength, and supply in their obedience, and to ask for His divine protections and interventions.  He dared us all to think bigger that we were accustomed to thinking, to expect our God to direct us into lives of greater impact, and to step out in faith and obedience to His directions.

One evening, a few of us gathered in a dorm room to hear the plans of two of two guys and to pray with them for the hand of the Lord to be with them in their planned activities.  These two fellows had taken Wilkinson’s admonitions to heart, and that night they wanted to share with us what they felt the Lord God was asking them to do. They asked us to pray with them for final confirmation on the plan, and to continue to pray for them as they set out to do it.   

By most standards, what they shared was an audacious undertaking!  Their plan was to drive from Southern California to Sacramento to share the gospel message with the governor of California, Jerry Brown.

They were certain that they would be successful even without making an appointment to see Governor Brown in advance.  They were going to hop in the car, drive up there on the weekend, get to the Governor’s office and wait to see him.  When they were done, they would drive back home.

We all agreed that this was indeed what they were to do.  So, with minimal preparations and what they hoped was enough money for gas, away they went.  While they were gone, we prayed.  Honestly, my faith was small.    I had little expectation of a glowing report when they returned to campus.

Oh, me of little faith!  Upon their return we gathered to hear the report.  The crowd had swelled as the news of their audacious obedience had spread around campus.  Their report was amazing. 

Yes, they got an appointment with the governor, but it was not right away.  In the meantime, they shared the gospel with the administrative assistant and the receptionist who were assisting them.  Then they shared the gospel with the Director of the California Highway Patrol, who responsibility included the governor’s safety. He, of course, was highly interested in these to young men who wanted to see the governor.    And yes, they shared the gospel message with him as well.  And with the Lieutenant Governor.  And several others with whom they had to speak to get to the officials. 

Yes, Jerry Brown heard that message, too.  And so did a gas station attendant (remember those?) along the way.

The success that our God had supplied to them exceeded all expectations (especially mine), and it energized the faith of many.  If our God could support obedience in such a big way in response to such audacious faith, where else could we put that kind of faith to the test?

As the school year progressed, more students and faculty were stirred to see what the Lord would do if many were to launch out in similar obedience.  Before long, a plan emerged to send students and faculty to the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago for a summer mission trip. 

My work with the Student Missionary Union at the school put me right in the middle of the planning, and I witnessed amazing answers to faith almost daily as the trip neared.  By that summer, that trip had grown to nearly 160 people who provided evangelistic outreach across the entire country.  Money was raised in miraculous ways.  The logistic planning and even the passport processes moved forward in unheard-of time.  The Gospel was heard by thousands, local indigenous ministries were strengthened, and new ones started.

Wilkinson wrote a great little book about this prayer of Jabez.  I highly recommend it.  One of my brothers and I have both prayed that prayer often and have seen amazing results from our God’s answers. 

Faith and obedience are the issues here. The words of the prayer itself have no power in them.  The power is in God who will display it in the lives of those who pray in faith and obey His directions.  It is an effective prayer in the presence of a sincere faith and firm obedience. Do we believe that our God will do exploits through those who know Him deeply and live by unyielding faith and obedience?

And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will be strong and take action. – Daniel 11:32

For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. – 2 Chronicles 16:9

For another amazing example of how our God answers audacious prayers, see a post on Helen Roseveare’s story of a child’s prayer and a miraculous answer; “Faith Like a Child 2.”

Banner image via BaT Auctions. Capitol image via CA Department of Governmental Services. Book image via Bookseller.