[5] The Prayer of Jabez received the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Gold Medallion Book of the Year award in 2001.

[6] The prayer, after being popularized by the book, "found its way into...House committee hearings on Capital Hill" by 2001.

Some Christian critiques have compared it to the Pentecostal prosperity gospel, and state that it suggests that God will obey people's wishes.

[9][10] Critics including Forbes and The Christian Century have made references to Santa Claus, commenting on the book's apparent "Santa-fication of God".

[7] Some, such as evangelical author Berit Kjos, have taken issue with the form of the prayer, citing Jesus' admonition against "vain repetitions" in Matthew 6:7–9.

[14] The recording artist Derek Webb said that his controversial song "Wedding Dress" was written after he saw Wilkinson speak about The Prayer of Jabez.