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"I pleaded with the Lord three times..."

Text: 2 Corinthians 12:8

SEEKING GOD IN PRAYER

Praying was a highly developed part of Paul’s life. This is well-evidenced in the way he would give thanks to God in the Epistles he wrote. Deep insights may be found in the prayers he offered for those to whom he wrote. But what about his own personal prayers for himself? How did he fare?

“Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times
that it might depart from me.
And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you,
for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:8-9a

1. “Concerning this thing”

a) This is a reference to the “thorn in the flesh”.

b) It obviously troubled him.

c) It was natural to raise this matter up to the Lord in prayer.

2. “I pleaded with the Lord”

a) Pleading is the right thing to do.

b) One cannot “demand”.

c) The nuances to be noted with the word “plead”.

i) To ask

ii) To consult

iii) To confer with

d) Because one prays to the Lord, appropriate humility must be present.

3. “Three times”

a) Probably on the three occasions that Paul was severely afflicted.

b) Rather than to offer three prayers in succession.

c) With each time and with each prayer valuable lessons were learned.

4. “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you'”

a) Gently the Lord replies.

b) Paul was reminded of the place of “grace” in his life.

i) It is the basis for salvation.

ii) It must always be the focus.

5. “My strength is made perfect in weakness”

a) Strength was what Paul must have sought.

b) God’s grace would be the source of strength and His grace is fully sufficient at all times.