Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away
(Paul’s “thorn in the flesh”). 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. 12:8-9 NLT
Heavenly Father, I’ve finally gotten my Irish calendar right. Today is St. Patrick’s Day, not yesterday. Whether or not I find some corn beef and cabbage to consume today remains to be seen. But there’s no doubt me and my praying friends are most ready and happy to feast upon copious amounts of your amazing grace.
We don’t really know what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was, but the coronavirus is surely becoming a whole grove of thorn bushes to us. We’re probably just in the early stages of experiencing the implications of this challenging providence, and we will continue to pray, “Take it away, Jesus, take it away.”
But what we need more than anything, you freely and gladly give. We don’t need the “luck of the Irish,” we need the grace of our God. Whatever form our “weaknesses” take in the coming weeks, you promise sufficient, “sane-ing,” saving, satisfying grace to meet our need. Thank you, most kind and generous Father.
Some of us might already be infected, or have family members of friends that are. Some of us are facing economic “thorns” associated with COVID-19. Some of us are going to spend much more time at home with our families than we expected, and we may discover our need for your grace in ways that humble us.
Blessed Father, you love it when we gather and linger at your throne of grace. For that’s when we get over the illusion of our sufficiency, own our weaknesses, and abandon ourselves to your Fatherly goodness. May the power of Christ be released in us and through us, for our neighbor’s good and your glory. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ ever-so-glorious name.