Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Cor. 12:9 NLT
Heavenly Father, thank you for promising to give us all the grace we need, no matter the circumstance, crisis, or crucible. You gave Paul “sufficient grace” for his “thorn in the flesh”—though he really wanted you to remove his thorn. Thank you for his model of honesty in struggle, boldness in prayer, and submission to your heart, hand, and timetable. Help us, as well, also believe you are doing all things well, even when you don’t do all things easy.
For our “thorns in the flesh”: Grant us grace to accept the inconvenient, limiting, painful things going on in our bodies. Until you give us our resurrection bodies, help us whine less, and worship more, as we deal with the wear and tear of our “outer man.” Free us to boast in, rather than bemoan about, our weaknesses. Reveal Jesus to us and through us, and it will be enough.
For our “burrs in the saddle”: Father, some of us have to deal with irritating people and aggravating circumstances on a daily basis. Whether on the job, or in our homes, if you’re not going to change certain people and situations, then please change us, Father. Give us bigger hearts and thicker skins, wisdom from above and grace on the ground.
For our “punches in the gut”: Some of are reeling from fresh disappointments, betrayals, or losses. Thank you for being a Father of compassion and God of all comfort. Father, help us catch our breath, gain perspective, and know your calming, centering presence.
For our “arrows to the heart”: Nothing hurts as much as relational pain. Father, grant us all the grace we need to love well is messy situations; to trust you to work in the lives of people we dearly love; to really believe you are good, in control, and at work in all things. You gave Jesus to us and for us; certainly we can trust you for everything else we really need. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ tender and triumphant name.