During an uneventful time in Israel's history, a faithful man named Jabez prayed a simple, straightforward prayer and gained the favor and blessings of God.  Now, a small book has prompted millions of saints and seekers to memorize and repeat the same prayer daily.  After three thousand years of obscurity, Jabez has found surprising favor with the world of "Christian Conservatives".

According to 1 Chron 4:10 :

"Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, 'Oh that Thou would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast [territory], and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!' And God granted him that which he requested."

This book - not Jabez' prayer, or the Bible - promises rewards from God.  In the book's opening words, the author, Bruce Wilkinson offers to teach you "how to pray a daring prayer that god always answers," and later makes the following claims and promises :  
"Thousands of believers who are applying its truths are seeing miracles happen on a regular basis.  Will you join me for a personal exploration of Jabez? I hope you will!"
        "Make the Jabez prayer for blessing part of the daily fabric of your life.  To do that, I encourage you to follow unwaveringly the plan outlined here for the next thirty days.  By the end of that time, you'll be noticing significant changes in your life. . .  Read the Jabez prayer every morning. . .  Reread this little book once each week during the next month. . ." The Prayer of Jabez, page 86.

What would Christian Fundamentalists do, if they couldn't find and use obscure little passages like these in "God's Word" to neutralize and negate the teaching of Jesus to his followers to rid themselves of excessive earthly possessions?  This is why it is so crucial for all good "Fundamentalists" to insist on the inspiration of every verse of Scripture, and to consider the most obscure verses all "GOD's Word", and therefore the equal of anything spoken by Jesus, the Son of God.
        The http:/www.christianbook.com/html/static/PrayerofJabez.html page is full of commercial products relating to this book which some organization has awarded the "Gold Medallion for 2002".
        Apparently, Dr. James Dobson, the very influential head of "Focus on the Family" gave the book his blessing in spades when referred to a letter about Bruce Wilkinson's book and the effect it has had on future plans of F.O.T.F. as the "most important letter he ever wrote."

Matthew 6:7 - 15 

"When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then in this way:
'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.