[Sans-Culotte]

A lot of people seem to be reading analyses of Wilkinson's book, rather than the book. The Prayer of Jabez is scarcely longer than the critiques, so I suggest some of you read it.

I read it, and while I don't pray it, I saw no harm in it. The problematical enlarge my territory line, as tought by Wilkinson, does not refer to material possesions and stock portfolios. He meant, rather to pray for the enlargement of one's territory of influence on behalf of God.

It's a pity that rags like The Enquirer portray the book as a "rags-to-riches prayer, but that simply is not the case. Jabez is not the most profound book I've ever read, but I can see where it has value for some.

[spycatcher]

As Daliai Lama says:

"To recite the Medicine Buddha Mantra brings inconceivable merit... If you recite the mantra every day, the buddhas and bodhisattvas will always pay attention to you, and they will guide you. All your negative karmas will be pacified and you will never be born in the three lower realms.... and all your wishes are fulfilled." The audience was instructed to "recite mantras of Medicine Buddha at least three times a day. "Imagine all elements... and perfect balance restored... [to] assure longevity," he added with a reminder to "practice... day and night." He warned his audience not "to visualize the rituals of tantra for purpose of gaining wealth."

as Wilkinson writes,

"You don't reach the next level of blessing and stay there. You begin again -- Lord, bless me indeed! Lord, please enlarge...! And so on. As the cycle repeats itself, you'll find that you are steadily moving into wider spheres of blessing and influence, spiraling ever outward and upward into a larger life for God.... You will know beyond doubt that God has opened heaven's storehouses because you prayed."

"The world of American religion is going through enormous change. It will be increasingly difficult to distinguish Christians and Buddhists." -- University of Chicago sociologist Stephen R. Warner. Buddhism on the Move

Maybe I need to go Walk the Labryinth

Or better yet just let my fingers do the walking Ouija-style!

[Revelation 911]

"He meant, rather to pray for the enlargement of one's territory of influence on behalf of God. It's a pity that rags like The Enquirer portray the book as a "rags-to-riches prayer, but that simply is not the case. Jabez is not the most profound book I've ever read, but I can see where it has value for some."

Amen - you said what I was thinking - I read it exactly the same way.