Written by evangelist Bruce Wilkinson, it tells of a little-known figure in the Bible named Jabez, who asks God to bless him in a material way, while helping him to be a better person. So, God granted him what he requested. The slim volume has zoomed to the top of the bestseller lists. Business people say it has upped their profits. Single women say it found them boyfriends.
Preachers say it's filling up the pews.
Some even fear TV evangelists will use it to push their gospel of prosperity. Not at all, says Dr. Brent Taylor. He's head pastor of the First Baptist Church of Carrollton. He calls Jabez's prayer intensely personal.