The Prayer of Jabez
Music: A Worship Experience
Various Artists
Forefront Records
2001

The Prayer of Jabez, as a book, may have been a good idea. The Prayer of Jabez, as a CD, was a terrible idea. The book may have been a catalyst for people to positively change the way they pray. The CD will only be a catalyst for those cynical of industrialized Christianity.

Following in the footsteps of Christian mega trends like Experiencing God and WWJD?, a previously obscure passage in the Old Testament has propelled a formerly insignificant man named Jabez to the top of the charts. The Prayer of Jabez is billed as "Music, A Worship Experience," but it is hard to take it seriously with the plentiful Jabez merchandise being churned out each day (Be sure to expand your territory with your very own Prayer of Jabez portable MP3 player!).

The back of the jewel case claims that the seven (that's right, only seven) songs are "original songs inspired by the book," but I found no trace of inspiration anywhere on this CD. The tracks by Erin O'Donnell and Rebecca St. James are the only songs that don't sound like rehashed versions of old worship songs, and they are certainly not enough to warrant purchasing such an album.

The other songs sound very meditative (read: half-asleep), yet hardly what I would describe as worshipful. I think of worship as being somewhat focused, if not intense. These songs sound mostly unfocused and at times, just plain odd. Three of them quote Jabez's words verbatim, asking God to "enlarge my territory," which has little relevance to any modern ears. I am sure it is explained in the book, but with the music alone, it just doesn't make sense. This is probably intentional, so you have to buy the book to understand the CD. My advice: there is no way it could possibly be worth it.

The most disappointing part of The Prayer of Jabez was seeing Kevin Max listed as one of the singers, yet not hearing his glorious ultrabrato (my own term for his unique vibrato technique). Attention producers of future Christian mega trends: when you have a voice like Max at your disposal, don't just stick him in a choir.

Seven songs by 12 artists based on one short 90-page devotional does not add up to a great CD. Of course, it will still sell millions of copies until the next Christian mega trend comes along. Perhaps "enlarging the territory" of industrialized Christianity is what The Prayer of Jabez is trying to do. (Marc A.)