As mentioned in my initial post for this series, I intend to blog through a number of New Testament texts where the Apostles are either praying or reflecting on their prayers. In noting how the Apostles prayed, it will help us to conform our prayers so that they are more biblical.
Today's text is 2 Corinthians 12:7-10:
7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Prayer Focus: Praise that God is in control of all circumstances touches our lives
Prayer Focus: Petition to the exalted Christ for grace for our afflications/obstacles.
Prayer Attitude: Praise Christ is the afflication/obstacle is removed and praise Christ if it isn't knowing God's power is made perfect in weakness.
Hodge writes in his commentary on 2 Corinthians: “My grace.” Either “my love” or implying “the aid of the Holy Spirit,” which is so often meant by the word grace. The context favors the common meaning of the term. “My love is enough for you.” These are Christ’s words. He says to those who seek deliverance from pain and sorrow, “It is enough that I love you.” This secures and implies all other good. His favor is life; his loving-kindness is better than life."
Calvin writes in his commentary on 2 Corinthians: "By this we are admonished not to give way to despondency, as if our prayers had been lost labor, when God does not gratify or comply with our wishes, but that we must be satisfied with his grace, that is, in respect of our not being forsaken by him. For the reason, why he sometimes mercifully refuses to his own people, what, in his wrath, he grants to the wicked, is this — that he foresees better what is expedient for us, than our understanding is able to apprehend."
Prayer Focus: Praise that God is in control of all circumstances touches our lives
Prayer Focus: Petition to the exalted Christ for grace for our afflications/obstacles.
Prayer Attitude: Praise Christ is the afflication/obstacle is removed and praise Christ if it isn't knowing God's power is made perfect in weakness.
Hodge writes in his commentary on 2 Corinthians: “My grace.” Either “my love” or implying “the aid of the Holy Spirit,” which is so often meant by the word grace. The context favors the common meaning of the term. “My love is enough for you.” These are Christ’s words. He says to those who seek deliverance from pain and sorrow, “It is enough that I love you.” This secures and implies all other good. His favor is life; his loving-kindness is better than life."
Calvin writes in his commentary on 2 Corinthians: "By this we are admonished not to give way to despondency, as if our prayers had been lost labor, when God does not gratify or comply with our wishes, but that we must be satisfied with his grace, that is, in respect of our not being forsaken by him. For the reason, why he sometimes mercifully refuses to his own people, what, in his wrath, he grants to the wicked, is this — that he foresees better what is expedient for us, than our understanding is able to apprehend."
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