Arthur W. Pink wrote a book, The Prayers of the Apostle Paul. One chapter in this book talks about “Prayer in Affliction” basing on 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
The passage is very familiar to Bible readers. We learn from this passage why the Lord does not answer our prayers as we expect.
The apostle Paul was praying for his thorn in the flesh to be taken away from him. The Lord did not answer the prayer of the apostle Paul but gave better than what was expected. Jesus said,
“My grace is sufficient for you.”
Paul’s thorn was both a gift from the Lord and a messenger of Satan. Satan perhaps aimed to disqualify Paul from the ministry. But the Lord overruled Satan’s intention. He made Paul more effective in the ministry.
The Lord sent his “gift” to prevent Paul from conceit due to his many extraordinary experiences. The thorn was intended for his good. Through his thorn, Paul learned to delight in his weaknesses. He also experienced Christ’s power resting upon him. Through his thorn God was glorified in his life.
Bible scholars give different interpretations as to the exact nature of Paul’s thorn in the flesh. It is safe to say that we have no idea as to the precise nature of this thorn. Concerning the relevance of Paul’s thorn to contemporary believers, Pink says,
“Whatever in our persons or our circumstances serves to mortify our pride may be regarded as our ‘thorn in the flesh’ “.
Reflect on your personal situation. Are you praying for a pain to be taken away from you but the Lord appears to be not responding? Maybe the Lord has already answered you but you failed to see his answer for you expect something else.
In Luke 14:25-33, Jesus himself said that a person can never be his disciple if that person will not love him above all, will not carry his cross, and will not give up his all. Commenting on this cross, John Calvin affirms that its form may vary. It can be in a form of “disgrace, poverty, bereavement, disease or other afflictions.” Martin Luther said, there are three things that make a powerful preacher: supplication, meditation, and affliction. David learned the same way. He said, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees” (Psalm 119:71).
The apostle Paul championed the message of the sufficiency of God’s grace in Christ. He knew it both in theory and experience. He knew the sufficiency of grace in Christ both in his Damascus’ conversion and through his thorn.
Only By Grace 
Ganyan tayo kamahal ng Diyos, kahit kasing taas ng bundok ang ating problema, kasing lawak naman ng karagatan ang pagmamahal ng Diyos sa mga nagtitiwala sa Kanya.
Higit Niya tayong kilala kaysa sa pagkakilala natin sa ating sarili. Siya ay marunong na Diyos at nababatid Niya kung ano ang naaangkop na paraan upang akayin ang ating mga puso palapit sa Kaniyang Anak.