Born into poverty, Walt Disney grew up to create what he envisioned as the “happiest place on earth.” We all love to read stories about men and women who overcome hardship and went on to bless others. Even more, we can be encouraged to know that God can even use difficult things in our lives for His purpose and glory.

Jabez shows us that the name we are given or the circumstances we are born into do not define us or determine our destiny. What more matters is that God is Sovereign, and God is in control.

There is nothing quite like completing a huge project, whether it is home renovation or an all-day feast. The feeling of accomplishment is satisfying. That’s what Solomon and the Israelites experienced as they laid the last break at the Temple project. The altars were assembled in all the right places. The ark was positioned perfectly in the holy of holies. The only thing left was Solomon’s prayer of dedication to Yahweh.

…Even though the temple was built by human hands, Yahweh it was the Chief Architect. Solomon’s prayer reminded that his people that all of them had sinned against God. The good news is that…

Aristotle is quoted as saying, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” However, better advice came from King Solomon, who wrote centuries earlier: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov.9:10)

When Solomon was still at Gibeon, The Lord came to Solomon in a dream, saying, “Ask what I shall give thee:” .… Solomon did not ask for wealth or happy life but rather he gave a mature request in v.9 “Give thy servant a discerning heart.” Solomon was asking for the capacity to obey God‘s law and distinguish between right and wrong. He recognized that the best thing for him to do was to stay in step with the law of God. In return, God richly blessed him for humbling himself and seeking wisdom.

King David... knew that the life he leads would ultimately shape his legacy. It is no wonder than that in one of his final prayer he declares before the Lord that everything comes directly from God.

Through David’s prayer, he teaches his son, his people, and us that God is beyond generous. The right response on our part is to be generous.David said that at the heart of generosity ought to be integrity and honesty. For him the motive dictated the motion. David concludes by getting to the heart of the matter which is ultimately a matter of the heart.

King David‘s words and prayer thought his people, and us, that a proper perspective produces praise. ... In this powerful prayer, David proclaims that the Lord deserves praise because He is our eternal God. Who reigns with greatness and power. ... God created everything, and therefore, everything in heaven and in earth is His.... God’s creation displays His majesty, splendor, and power.

David recognized Yahweh’s character and attributes and praised Him unashamedly until his last breath. He had a prayer perspective of God which produced praise, and his praise continues to echo today.

Scripture tells us that God closed Hannah‘s womb. But Hannah‘s desire became so strong that she promised that, if God would grant her a child, she would surrender him to Yahweh. God answered her plea. In response, she indeed dedicated Samuel to the LORD and hand him over to Eli the priest (1 Sam.1:5, 11, 28).

We see that it was Yahweh, not Samuel, who has the ultimate foundation of heart joy and strength. For Hannah, there was no one like the Lord. Safety, comfort, and justice are found in him.

There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. - 1 Sam.2:2

When believers from all different races and ethnicities, ages and backgrounds are united, the world will begin to believe that Jesus is indeed the Christ....Jesus imagines that the unity among believers is as strong as the unity that is within the Trinity....Christ prayer for us was that we would be completely committed to being united with Jesus and one another on both sides of eternity.

“I pray also for those who will believe in me through their word; that they all maybe one;....” John.27:20-21

My prayers is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. John.17:15.

Jesus’ prayer reflects His deep desire for His disciples to overcome the principalities of this world by unifying together….As Jesus often does, He gives His life as an example of what a sanctified life looks like by going to the cross in fulfillment of His mission to the world. Living on mission on the world is a demanding and challenging task. One of the hardest part is simply identifying the tactics of the enemy uses to get us off track.... pray for God’s protection from the enemy.

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee.” V.1

Today’s text is the beginning of what is historically known as the High Priestly Prayer. Jesus prayed to His heavenly Father for Himself to be glorified. He is not praying from an egotistical disposition for meaningless praise. Rather, Christ’s prayer is for Him to be glorified so that He could glorify the Father (v. 1). Jesus is clear that His life, death, and resurrection are to make the Father known.

On the cross, Jesus was mostly silent. The excruciating pain He endured would have made it nearly impossible for Him to speak. Any utterance would have used the strength needed to pull himself up by His impaled hands and feet in order to take a breath. Therefore, the words Jesus spoke from the cross are significant. Among the seven expressions attributed to Jesus during His crucifixion, three were prayers to His heavenly Father.