Could it be that these blessings were happening in these peoples' lives all along and there were not aware of them because they were not 'praying for a blessing' specifically in their minds?
Could it be that since they began to pray a prayer that they have become more cognizant of the blessings that were already in their lives but did not take the time be be aware of them?
I am the grateful recipient of blessings daily. From just waking in the morning full of grateful thoughts to my spouse being blessed with a bonus at work.
They are all blessings from the Lord.
Perhaps, we all need to encounter life with gratitude to recognize our blessings, the blessings that were already there and those to come.
There are many Christians who go through life with their heads down. They don't look up to see God's hand in all they do. I believe this prayer was so important to Jabez because of his birth. What is sad to me is that this book is so enlightening to so many Christians. I mean, how can so many Christians go throught life not knowing the absolute love of God and his desire to give good gifts? The greatest of which is a relationship with Him in which we fulfill His purpose with our lives through whatever means He sees fit.