Gift of a Thorn | Week 3 | Power of Prayer Series

We have to embrace our Thorn!

⁷ Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! ⁸ Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. ⁹ And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. ¹⁰ Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NASB1995

The Power of Prayer! Because there is power in the name of Jesus!

¹⁶ Rejoice always; ¹⁷ pray without ceasing; ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 NASB1995

Prayer is part of who we are, our identity!

He delights in conversation with us. He delights in moments of intimacy. He delights in relationship. And a lot of those times tend to happen through moments of weakness.

¹Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. ³ And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— ⁴ was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. ⁵ On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. ⁶ For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:1-6 NASB1995

²³ Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.~ 2 Corinthians 11:23 NASB1995

²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. ²⁶ I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; ²⁷ I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. ~ 2 Corinthians 11:25-27 NASB1995

³⁰ If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. ~ 2 Corinthians 11:30 NASB1995

It is the thorn that caused Paul to understand the power of prayer.

⁷ Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! ~ 2 Corinthians 12:7 NASB1995

⁷ Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! ~ 2 Corinthians 12:7 NASB1995

Embrace your THORN – the moment of weakness

⁸ Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:8 NASB1995

²⁶ In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; ²⁷ and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ~ Romans 8:26-27 NASB1995

 ⁹ And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB1995

Tell the enemy…

• His Grace! “IS”… more than enough
• His Grace! “IS”… going to sustain me
• His Grace! “IS”… what will carry me
• His Grace! “IS”…powerful to keep me
• His Grace! “IS”… a defender \ unfailing in time of trouble

¹⁰ Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:10 NASB1995

We have to Embrace our THORN?

Words of Knowledge

• We believe the Lord wants to heal someone who has been experiencing pain in their right shoulder.
• We believe the Lord wants to heal people who are dealing with kidney disease.
• We believe the Lord is healing tinnitus (ringing) in the right ear.
• We believe the Lord is healing someone who is dealing with decreased mobility due to scar tissue from surgery.
• We believe the Lord is healing arthritis in feet today.
• We believe the Lord wants to heal people suffering with angina.