There was a man named Jabez who was more distinguished than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast (territory), and that thou would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!" And God granted him his request. 

The Secret of the Prayer of Jabez is:

Ask, but leave it to God to decide what is best for you or your friends! He wants to. And He wants you to ask Him. Jesus also said to ask and you will receive--but usually people don't ask for themselves. Jabez was a person who did ask God for himself and his prayer was answered. 

Sometimes your prayers are answered --but not right away.  God hears your prayers and knows what is best for his children right now and in the future.  For instance, perhaps a million dollars is not what you or I need the most right now. 

Even though in Jabez's case riches was what God thought was best for him.  But for you or me, a million dollars may be the very worst thing we could of asked for right now because "eternal lessons" was what God knew we needed on our way to becoming better children of God.  Perhaps what you or I needed was a lesson in unselfishness or such.