Apostle Paul’s unanswered prayer
(sermon by Barnabas Ong on Sunday 12th October 2008, @EBC Melbourne)
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
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A prayer is like the breath to a Christian. When we stop breathing, we’ll die and so does a Christian! We are given power by God as believers. However, remember that the power is given from God! So don’t be arrogant and claiming that it is yours!

Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.

When we pray, often that we get impatient waiting for the answer. God always answers your prayer and He answers it at the perfect moment, no more no less! Sometimes the answer is NO. Apostle’s Paul’s prayer was rejected even though he has shouted the prayer 3 times.

Why 3 times?
It’s a serious prayer. “A thorn in my flesh”: must have hurt so much and making him suffer. It’s possible also that he’s following what Jesus did at Getshemane.

Paul is a great apostle. He erected lots of congregations at that time and he also wrote letters that we read and study up til now. He is so close to God, but yet his prayer was rejected.

7 Reasons why Paul wasn’t disappointed when his prayer was rejected

1) Verse 7: So to keep me from becoming conceited
We as human beings always tend to be arrogant in what we do.

2) So that he cannot claim that it is his
Don’t have an attitude on your church: “This won’t happen if it’s not because of me!” or “If I don’t do it, no one will!”. If God can use you, He can certainly use other people. Don’t get cocky!

3) To teach you so that you don’t steal the Glory of God to yourself

4) So that God’s grace is enough for you
Look at the positive side and be grateful to it. Don’t look at the negatives!

5) By suffering, he could understand other people’s sufferings

6) He knows God’s power. When God says no, He knows what’s best for you and even sometimes He has a plan to give you something better

7) Paul knows there will be eternal life with God (with new eternal body)

When we pray, give authority to God! Don’t ever feel disappointed when your prayer is rejected! God knows what’s best for you! Have a faith