The Prayer of Jabez.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10
"Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain."
And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be
with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested."

Much can be derived from Jabez's 2-verse dedication: I've read that he had no father in his life, which at that time was frowned upon; therefore would be the cause of much pain and shame to his mother. I've also read that his actual birth was painful. But what we know for sure is that somewhere along the line, Jabez was the cause of much pain for his mother.

In essence, our sinful nature is painful to our Father, God. Each and every day, He grants us life and new mercies and each and every day, we repay Him by arguing, gossiping, lacking self-control, etc. God, just like Jabez's mother, has every right to name us according to the pain we cause Him but He instead has chosen to forgive us and ensure that not only Him, but "all nations shall call us blessed." (Malachi 3:12)

Although He has extended grace and forgiveness to us, we still owe God the attempt of not causing pain; therefore, I encourage you to pray the prayer that Jabez did and live a life that reaps pleasing rewards for God rather than pain. Let's outweigh our sin by our effort; our negative actions by our positive attempts; our hateful speech by our loving praise.

Be blessed :)