The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life is a book by Bruce Wilkinson published in 2000 by Multnomah Books as the first book in the "BreakThrough" book series. It is based on the Old Testament passage 1 Chronicles 4:9–10: In the book, Wilkinson encourages Christians to invoke this prayer for themselves on a daily basis: The book became an international bestseller, topping the New York Times bestseller list and selling nine million copies. It received the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Gold Medallion Book of the Year award in 2001. The book has also been criticized and compared to the "prosperity gospel". Derivative works and merchandise The popularity of the original book has led its publisher, Multnomah Press, to extend the line to a number of derivative works targeted at niche audiences, as well as to offer the books in audio and video formats. They also authorized a wide array of official "Prayer of Jabez" merchandise including key chains, mugs, backpacks, Christmas ornaments, scented candles, mouse pads and a framed artist's conception of Jabez himself. A line of jewelry was introduced in 2002. Three versions rewritten for children, one each targeted at preschoolers, 8-12 year olds and teens The Prayer of Jabez Journal The Prayer of Jabez Devotional (one edition for children, one for adults) The Prayer of Jabez Bible Study The Prayer of Jabez for Women written by Wilkinson's wife, Darlene a musical companion, The Prayer of Jabez Music ... A Worship Experience (ForeFront Records) The Healing of Jabez by John W. Mauck ('Credo House Publishers, ) was published in 2009. CriticismJabez has been compared to the "prosperity gospel" and has received the reproaches often addressed toward that doctrine, e.g. that the Jabez prayer suggests that God ought to do what people want rather than them following God's will. Some have taken issue with the form of the prayer, citing Jesus' admonition against "vain repetitions" in Matthew 6:7-9. The commercialization of Jabez has also attracted criticism. At the same time, adherents have responded by saying that to decry the prayer of Jabez is to call into question the efficacy of prayer in general. The prayer of Jabez became very popular within sections of the fundamentalist Pentecostal Christian movement. It was particularly evident in those churches associated with the New Apostolic Reformation, Kingdom Now theology, Dominion theology, Five-fold ministry thinking and other fringe-like elements within the Spirit-filled Christianity