As I sit here and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit as to how to pen down my understanding of this verse; my mind goes back to the time of my salvation. I’m reminded of the man, my pastor that was preaching, not only the day I was saved but, taught me for the next five years of my spiritual childhood.

This man’s name was ( Claybourne Fairclothe ). His life exhibited ( praying without ceasing ). Why would I say that? Was this man perfect? No, he wasn’t. As a matter of fact, neither am I and, if we are to be perfectly honest; one of the reasons that most cannot or, do not pray without ceasing is because we are seeking to be seen as perfect and not what or, who we truly are.

We have been deceived into thinking that our perfection is what draws people to Christ. Our perfection is what our Lord is looking for in our lives. We, far too often look at a man’s perfection and, because of our blindness to self; cannot see the true Holy Spirit all around the inperfections of any person. We destroy the very lives that God has ordained to bring us to spiritual growth.

I’m going to say something here that most cannot see. Any man that has a true heart to ( pray without ceasing ) is simply an extention of all those before him that understood ( praying without ceasing ). In other words the very fact that ( Claybourne Fairclothe ) understood or lived that; means that even though he has past from this world to his heavenly home, his prayers are still being answered. And, that can be traced all the way back as far as God’s Spirit exist in this world.

Look at this verse of scripture: ( 1 Chronicles 4:10 ) 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 granded him that which ne requested.

Now, the Bible says here that God did answer that prayer. So, let’s say that God did ( physically bless him ). If that’s the case; what does Jabez have now? When we learn that our lives is more that what we can receive in this life and, begin to see the spiritual aspect as being more important then, there is no end to God’s ability to ( increase our boarders ) The story of Jabez is God’s desire for us to understand the spiritual aspect of our lives.

If you search scripture; you can’t find where Jabez ever prayed this but one time. What can we kleen from that? He lived what he prayed! Do you think Jabez ever made mistakes? As a natural man, yes he did but, it didn’t deter him from his goal.

( Claybourne Fairclothe ) was a spiritual man with spiritual goals. He wasn’t concerned about wealth, fame, popularity or anything that relates to this world. Was he perfect? Did he make mistakes, sin? Yes he did but, it didn’t deter him from his purposed goal in the prayer he prayed.

Can you see ( pray without ceasing )? I want you to consider something? ( Claybourne Fairclothe ) was an extention of every spiritual person that lived before him. That includes men such as Abraham, Moses, The Apostle Peter, Paul and John, just to mention a few. Yes, and even a man called Jesus Christ. I am an extention of ( Claybourne Fairclothe ). Not only me but, every person that was truly born again from his ministry, His ( praying without ceasing ). Am I, or any one of the many people that were saved because of his ministry perfect, no! speaking for myself, I am far from perfect.

However, the true desire of myself and, every other born again believer that was saved under his ministry and, understands ( praying without ceasing ) is that we will leave a spiritual legacy and that many will will be saved, continuing to ( enlarge our coast ) for the glory of God.

In closing. the Bible says this ( Matthew 7:7 ) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

I ask: that God might give me his wisdom, his courage, his divine nature, his virtue, patience, knowledge longsuffering.

I seek: all the mysteries and, the answers to them in his word, his power to be a witness that draws people to salvation, the will, to live a life that represents him well, the humbleness to see myself as he does and, to die to who I am!

I knock: on the hearts of those that don’t believe, on scriptures that I don’t understand that they might be revealed unto me, on the spiritual doors that I desire to be opened unto me.

In our prayer life; are we more like Jabez and seek only worldly things or, is our prayer life truly seeking God’s will? ( I believe ) Jabez was a Godly man but it one thing he understood: ( Matthew 6:33 ) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these other things will be added unto you.

The people that actually ( pray without ceasing ) like all the spiritual powers before us were perfectly satisfied with just seeking his righteousness and his kingdom. If they were never rich or , never had any worldly possessions then they were very content, all for God’s glory!

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7