Paul entreated the Lord three times that the messenger of Satan depart from him. The word for entreated is parakaleó:
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ak-al-eh’-o)
Definition: to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage
Usage: (a) I send for, summon, invite, (b) I beseech, entreat, beg, (c) I exhort, admonish, (d) I comfort, encourage, console.
So Paul wasn’t insisting the messenger of Satan be removed, but seeking the Lord’s will for the situation.
And Jesus said, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for Thee; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what Thou wilt.”
Jesus, like Paul, was not insisting the cup be removed, for He immediately said, yet not what I will, but what Thou wilt.”
Both Jesus and Paul sought and entreated the Father to spare them from what was before them, and both deferred to His will.
Neither of them prayed the prayer of faith believing they would receive what they were asking. They both were simply inquiring of the Father that they might be relieved of their circumstances, all the while being willing to do His will instead of their own.
Jon David Banks, God’s most unworthy servant
The word of God is a book of words interwoven into a divine tapestry containing the mystery of God. To take one word out of context is to put a blemish in that tapestry, and thereby that mystery. For this reason the Lord says, “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words lest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar,” Proverbs 30:5, 6. Please weigh what I say on the scales of God’s word.
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