Praying With Eyes Wide OpenSample

Surprising Answers

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

We don’t know exactly what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was, but it was so bad that he cried out to God, over and over, for deliverance and for it to be removed. We might expect God to do a miracle and answer by taking it away. Certainly many times in Scripture we see examples of times when God answered prayers by doing miraculous works on behalf of his people.

This is not what happened with Paul’s “thorn.”

We know that something happens every time we pray. God always hears. He loves his children. He is all-powerful. So, what did God do in this case? What was the answer to Paul’s heartfelt prayer?

Are you ready? Here it is. God says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). No thorns being removed. No immediate deliverance and spontaneous songs of praise for an undeniable miracle.

Instead, God promises grace. God offers Paul power to make it through the torment of his thorn in the flesh. The thorn will stay, but so will grace. In this moment God says, “Let my presence and power be enough for you.”

Paul’s prayers were answered, but in a way very different than he expected. He wanted the thorn gone. God said, “No.” The Lord of creation knew that what Paul needed was power in weakness and grace in the pain of life.

Something happens every time you pray. It may be all that you hoped for and more. Or it may be different than you want—but exactly what you need.

As we walk through life, praying with our eyes and lives wide open, praying for people and with people, praying for small things and big things, we can be assured that something good will happen every time we pray.

Commit before God to seek and accept his answer for every prayer you make.