Jabez, Pain and Prayer

Jabez ‘Jabez was more honourable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.’

In 1 Chronicles 4 we come across a man called Jabez and his prayer to God. The verses above are part of the genealogy of Judah’s line. These two verses have been misunderstood and even misused. But what can we learn from this account tucked away in a genealogy?

First of all, Character matters to God. Jabez was ‘more honourable’ than his brothers. We don’t know anything about his brothers or what made them dishonourable but clearly Jabez was considered a godly, honourable man which is demonstrated in his prayer. Godly character matters to God; this is seen in all of scripture.

Secondly, this world is painful. God’s people are not spared from pain in this life. Think of Job a godly, righteous man who went through the deepest kind of pain. We also think of our saviour Jesus, the perfect man who suffered in his life and suffered on the cross to save us. We live in a sinful, fallen world, under the curse of sin. Until Christ returns this will always be the case. Clearly Jabez's birth had caused his mother so much pain that she named him Jabez, which in Hebrew sounds like the word for pain.

Finally, God answers prayer. Jabez cried out to God in prayer. He prayed that God would bless him, enlarge his border and keep him from pain. Blessing in the old covenant was partly connected to physical land. He did not want to live up to his name and be associated with pain but blessing instead. He wanted people to see God’s hand was on him and presence with him. God comforted him by answering this prayer. This does not mean that God answers all of our prayers with a yes. The Bible does not teach the prosperity gospel. Sometimes God says no to our prayers. Take Paul and his thorn in the flesh as an example (2 Cor 12). He asked for it to be removed and God said no. Sometimes he answers in a better way than we imagined but he always answers in the best way possible and with our good and his glory in mind. Our prayers ought to be shaped by scripture and God’s priorities and promises.

As you think upon Jabez and his prayer, resolve to pursue holiness and godly character. Devote yourself to prayer and bring all things to him. In suffering and in pain, look to Christ for comfort and to the day when he returns or you go to be with him. That day when there will be no more pain for those who have trusted in him. In a land where all pain and suffering will be gone.

Lewis Campbell, 30/10/2026

Tags: Jabez, Lewis Campbell, Prayer

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Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
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Planning your Visit

A Warm Welcome

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

We meet at the Church Building (details here) for our Sunday Morning Service starting at 11:15am. For your first visit, we recommend arriving early to ensure you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. We also serve tea and coffee before the service, so feel free to come from around 10:45 and enjoy refreshments.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access from the side door along the lane on the right hand side of the building as you approach, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you. There is an accessible toilet in the main foyer.

Our Services:

Sunday Mornings

Kirkwall Baptist Church-4413

Our main Sunday service begins at 11:15am with a welcome from one of our team members and notices for the week. Then follows a time of sung worship, led by our band. We typically have 5 or 6 songs lasting approximately 25 minutes. Please feel free to stand or sit during the worship time. There is usually a brief children's talk or video before one of our leaders or preaching team will give a sermon that is Bible based and that we can apply to our everyday life. We then finish with a final worship song. There is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service with one of our prayer team.
Our Sunday morning service is usually streamed live to our FaceBook page and our YouTube page.

On the first Sunday of the month we normally celebrate The Lord's Supper as part of our morning worship.
With regard to any children who may have stayed in the service we regard it as the responsibility of the parent or guardian of any child to decide whether or not it is appropriate for the child to take part in Communion.

What about my kids?

Our Sunday morning service includes Sunday School and Bible Class:

Creche (pre-school) in the rear hall through the door to the left of the platform.
Sunday School (Primary 1-7)
Bible Class (Secondary 1-3)

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for the welcome, songs and notices. We really value worshipping God all together as a family. At the end of the children's talk someone will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups.

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, Bible stories, music, craft, etc. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.

Café Church:

Sunday Evenings at 7:00pm

cafe church

On Sundays at 7:00pm we meet in a more informal Café Church style service around tables.
The service includes a time of worship, discussion, prayer, and a member of the preaching team gives a word. Refreshments are served. We also include a time of communion as part of our worship except for the first Sunday of the month.

Getting Connected

Small Groups

Small Groups are as important in the life of the church as Sunday worship. Large group teaching can be best applied in smaller settings and all of us need the support, encouragement and prayer of friends. Smaller groups can also be more effective in reaching out to our communities.Meeting formats vary but generally include the four Ws: Welcome,Worship, Word, Witness. That means time to relax and unwind, time spent worshipping God, time studying and discussing the previous Sunday’s teaching and time thinking about application and praying for each other and for others outside the group. The number and composition of the Small Groups changes from time to time and all are always open to visitors and new folk. When numbers become too large the Small Group may split to form two groups.

The following is a list of current Small Groups as of 2025:
Tuesday: 7:30 pm in Finstown (weekly) – talk to Ian and Lindsay.
Wednesday: 7:30pm in Finstown (weekly) – talk to Paul and Caroline.
        7:30 pm in South Ronaldsay/ Kirkwall (weekly) – talk to Mike and Alan.
        8:00 pm online (fortnightly) – talk to Paul and Hannah.
Thursday: 2:00 pm Ladies Bible study in Kirkwall (weekly) – talk to Carolyn.
        8:00 pm in Kirkwall (weekly) – talk to Rognvald and Margaret.
Friday: 7:30 pm Upper Room, Youth Group @KBC (weekly during term time) – talk to Fraser.
Saturday: 5:30 pm in Tankerness (monthly) – talk to Gordon and Kirsti.
Sunday: After morning service – Young Adults Group (fortnightly) – talk to Daniel.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team. We usually have a special Ministries Sunday each year with stalls for each of the ministries we are involved in, both for the church and in the community. See our Join A Team page for more information.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

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Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.