3. Theme When we have a “thorn” in our life And can’t seem to deal with it, God’s grace helps us when we ask for it; His grace is always enough to deal with our problem – Not if we try to avoid it.

4. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

5. Answers Three Big Questions People Ask About God’s Help 1. Why Do I Have To Keep Praying For The Same Thing? 2. Why Does God Say “No” To Some Of My Prayers? 3. How Does God Help Me When I Have A Problem?

6. 1. Why Do I Have To Keep Praying For The Same Thing? 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. Repeated requests are appropriate – even necessary. Not about God’s… Not knowing or being hard of hearing or indifferent

7. It Is About His Instructing And Maturing Us a. We think long and hard about what we are asking b. We come to understand what God wants in the matter c. We clarify the request moving from selfish to selfless d. We deepen our passion and sincerity for what we ask e. We develop promised patience by waiting

8. 2. Why Does God Say “No” To Some Of My Prayers? Sometimes the answer is “no” to our request. 9a BUT he said to me…

9. A. Why Must God – At Times – Answer “No”? 1. We harbor sin in our lives (Ps 66:18) 2. We ask with wrong motives (Jm. 4:3) 3. We ask on impulse only instead of discerning His will (I Cor. 14:15) 4. We fail to see the greater need. (Israel vs. Judah) 5. We fail to see the greater glory. (Lazarus)

10. B. What Are The Benefits Of “No”? 1. Something we had not thought of 2. Something we needed more 3. Something actually better 4. A matter of timing

11. 3. How Does God Help Me When I Have A Problem? 9b“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” My answer to your request is this: The enablement I am giving you will provide everything you need for your situation.

12. Remember What He Promises Here! a. Grace = Divine enablement to ACTUALLY DO the right thing b. Sufficient = Everything necessary to get the job done c. For you = Personal, custom made to fit d. God’s power = That is, grace; the help we need e. Made perfect = Is revealed, becomes a reality, is all it can be, fully there f. In weakness = Frailty, either physical or mental

13. Theme When we have a “thorn” in our life And can’t seem to deal with it, God’s grace helps us when we ask for it; His grace is always enough to deal with our problem – Not if we try to avoid it.

14. Our Challenge Keep on Asking…