Enlarge My Territory

November 10, 2026

From Pastor Eileen States

Many years ago, I was given a little book called The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson. I remember thinking at the time, how does one write an entire book based off of one verse in the Bible? Check this one-verse prayer out and tell me what you think. . .

In 1 Chronicles 4:10, Jabez cries out to God with a bold request: “Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. Jabez wanted God to expand his territory, but he also wanted God’s hand to stay with him. He understood that whatever God trusted him with, he needed God's wisdom to make it effective.

When we think about territory in the Old Testament, we often think of land or wealth. But what if we looked at this prayer a little differently? What if the territory God wants to expand isn't necessarily the land/house we own or the things we possess, but the influence we have in the lives of those around us?

In Colossians 4:5-6, Paul writes something to add to this Old Testament prayer. “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

When we ask God to enlarge our territory, we are asking Him to expand our sphere of influence. That territory may look a lot more ordinary than we expect. It includes the cashier at the grocery store, the coworker who gets under our skin, the neighbor next door, and even the person who happens to scroll past something we post online.

Paul reminds us that how we live and how we treat people matters. He gives us some practical ways to make the most of the opportunities God puts in front of us. Let’s dig a little deeper into what we find in these verses.

Act in Wisdom: People notice how we treat others, especially when things don't go our way. The way we live, the choices we make, and the way we respond to others often speaks louder than anything we say.

Make the Most of Every Opportunity: Sometimes we get so caught up in our schedules, our phones, and everything we need to accomplish that we miss the people right in front of us. A simple conversation, a kind word, or taking a moment to listen may be an opportunity God has placed right in our path.

Words of Grace and Salt: Salt adds flavor and makes a difference in whatever it touches. Our words should do the same. They shouldn't leave people feeling judged, discouraged, or pushed away. Instead, they should reflect the grace of Jesus and bring a little more kindness, hope, and healing into the world around us.

If God answered your prayer today and gave you a much larger territory, would your words and actions be ready for it? Sometimes we get so focused on asking God for more opportunities that we overlook the opportunities we already have. Before we ask Him to expand our influence, perhaps we need to take a closer look at how we're treating the people who are already part of our everyday lives. Are we showing them the same grace, patience, and compassion that Jesus has shown us?​​