Strength In Prayer

2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

We learn in previous verses in this chapter that the Apostle Paul had a thorn in his flesh.  There is much speculation, but no answers till we reach our Heavenly home ourselves.  We are taught to pray regarding every situation in our lives.  In reading a commentary, it was brought home to me that the night Jesus was arrested, he prayed three times. He was willing to go to the cross so we could have forgiveness of our sins.  If it was so important that Jesus pray to his Heavenly Father, then how much more should we pray when our lives are in turmoil.

The Apostle Paul, as mentioned earlier, had a thorn in his flesh.  He prayed three times for this "thorn" to be removed.  The Lord answered his prayer, but not in the way we would think.  Sometimes the Lord grants to us what we ask to be given to us.  Then there are times he says no; or wait.  The Lord refused to remove this thorn but told Paul that his grace was sufficient for him. Paul needed to lean and depend on the Lord his strength to preach the gospel. 

If the Lord removed illness, disease, injury, or whatever, we may never grow closer to Christ.  Not only that, but the Lord does give the strength you need to fulfill the tasks set before us.  But we have to do as Paul and depend on Christ for the strength to continue on the path set before us.  Satan will do everything in his power to keep us from obeying God.  He will do everything in his power to pull every person to hell with him.

For a number of years, I have struggled with depression/anxiety.  There are times when I have the energy to do a day's work, then there are times when all I want to do is sit down and do nothing.  Depression is a real struggle.  But not only does it take prayer, but encouragement from family/friends, and strength from the Lord to accomplish what the Lord would have me to do.

The Apostle Paul wasn't happy that there was this thorn in his flesh.  But, if the strength from the Lord would allow him to preach the gospel and win lost souls to Christ, then he was willing to suffer from this thorn.  There are so many Christians who are struggling with physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual problems. There are pastors and evangelists who struggle with something and have to depend on the Lord.

Let's remember to bring the needs of others to the Lord, that He will give them the strength to continue to do the work of the Lord.