Jesus prayed passionately and persistently.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus “fell facedown and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, ‘So, couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’ And he came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. After leaving them, he went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more” (Matthew 26:39-44).
Passionately, persistently, Jesus approached His Father in prayer. Three times, Jesus prayed, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Paul also prayed three times… he prayed passionately and persistently.
The Apostle had “a thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7). No one knows the nature of this issue. Was it a physical infirmity? Some theologians suggest that he had an issue with his eyesight. Or was this “thorn in the flesh” a temptation that doggedly attacked? Again, no one knows.
Whatever the “thorn in the flesh” was, Paul prayed that God would relieve him of its effect. He begged God for healing, for protection, for a miraculous intervention. “Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness’ ” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)
Did Paul pray three times, or did Paul pray again, and again, and again? Either way, Paul prayed passionately and persistently.
Sometimes God’s answer is “no.” Sometimes His answer is “later.” And sometimes God’s answer is “yes.” Always His answer is “My grace is sufficient.” Let’s learn to pray until God reveals His answer.
Let’s learn to pray like Jesus… and like Paul.
“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).
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