2 Corinthians 12:8

‘Concerning this thing I besought the Lord three times, that it might depart from me.'

‘Three times' may well mean ‘a number of times.' Since the beginning when man first began to use numbers ‘three' has meant more than just a number and regularly meant ‘many' compared with a ‘few' (which was represented by ‘two' - 1 Kings 17:12). Thus he had begged the Lord more than a few times that it might be taken from him. It was not something that he found at all bearable. Note the term ‘the Lord'. This usually means Jesus Christ, and is one of the rare cases where prayer is said to be made to Him. The prayer was very personal, and it may be significant that it was said to the great Healer.