2 Corinthians 12:7-10 KJV — “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [8] For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.”
[9] “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.“
There are five (5) thorns that can frustrate your quest to run the race of life and purpose: persecution, infirmity, neccessities, reproaches, and distresses. I believe you should arise and break your fallow grounds. Don’t sow among thorns. Plough your grounds and deal with the thorns of persecution, distresses, reproaches, infirmities, and neccessities.
The following are simple steps to dealing with thorns in the flesh;
- Uncover the underlying cause of the challenges
- Pray that God will take it away
- Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God
- Resist the messenger of Satan sent to buffet
- Learn to live and fulfill purpose with grace until the thorn is taken away
Prayer points
- Father, give me understanding and insight into all that is going on around me! May you expose every evil scheme arranged to frustrate and make me timid. I refuse to create any cover for the messenger of Satan. May I never fall for the fake laughter and kisses of the messengers of Satan! Lord show me what is happening behind the scenes!
- Anything projected to cause stress, scarcity, sicknesses, suffering, and shame must die! I recieve grace to rise above the projections of situations and orchestrations that are meant to frustrate and distract me! Pray!
- Pray for grace to endure quietly and faithfully. Father, make me stronger on the inside. May I grow ten time bigger on the inside than anything attacking my faith and tenacity from outside! Father, make me stronger in the name of Jesus!
- Pray that the Lord shall make you patient in tribulations and affliction! May your faith and passion shine brighter and glow strong under fire and dark season than ever! May you receive greater grace and fortitude in the face of persecution!
- Father, touch and heal the sick! Heal my body and restore my sanity! Remove sickness and diseases from my body, my family, my household in the name of Jesus! I command sickness, diseases, weaknesses, and affliction to be gone!
- Declare with me; Any reproach projected to cause shame and dishonor in my life shall fail and die in the name of Jesus! Any voice and tongue that has risen to speak reproach against my life must die!
- Pray that the Lord will give you wisdom and grace to run the race set before you! May you continue until you win! Pray for grace and wisdom to fulfill your purpose and to finish your race!!
Stay blessed