THE UNIQUENESS OF JABEZ

       " And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!' And God granted him that which he requested." (1 Chron 4:10)

The only record of Jabez is sandwiched in the genealogy of the "sons of Judah." He is the only person in that genealogy of whom something specific was said. We are told he was "more honorable than his brethren" (v 9). We do not know the name of his father or his mother–only that he was named "Jabez" because his mother "gave birth to him in pain." NIV That sorrow could have been because her husband was dead, or because of unusual difficulty in delivery. At any rate, Jabez was named much like Benjamin, whom Rachel called "Benoni," or "son of my sorrow" (Gen 35:18). Jacob gave him the name Benjamin. Like Benjamin, Jabez got off to a rough start. Yet, he excelled his brothers, becoming more honorable than they. He is introduced to us without any description, and without naming his parents. All we know of him is his name, that he was birthed in sorrow, and what he asked from God. His prayer was no doubt a request that the sorrow connected with his name would not characterize his life.
Jabez did not seek an ordinary blessing (if there is such a thing). He asked that the Lord bless him "indeed," or in an unusual manner. He asked for the enlargement of his coast, or the expansion of the territory over which he presided. He sought the blessing of the Lord in everything he did, that none of his labor be in vain. He also asked the Lord to keep him "from harm" and "free of pain," as his mother experienced. NIV Such requests were not only noble, they were bold. Timorous souls cannot pray in this manner. In these requests, he obtained more honor than his brethren. The glory of the whole matter is found in these strengthening words: "So God granted him what he requested." NKJV Among other things, that confirms his prayer was delightful to the Lord–that this is the kind of request God is pleased to answer.
I encourage you to seek this kind of boldness in your prayers. Be strong and believing, and seek blessings from the Lord that exceed those normally sought. Rise higher than your peers, and ask for a blessing that exceeds the norm. Seek to have your stewardship enlarged.  Ask the Lord to put His blessing upon all that you do. Implore him to protect you from the intentions of the devil, and the will of your enemies. Ask for deliverance from a life of grief. God will hear you.