2 Corinthians 12:8

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.

(v8, ESV)

Paul pleads with the Lord for him to be rid of this thorn in the flesh. I'm sure most people have something about themselves that they do not like. There's always something we want to be rid of. We could desire to be rid of an illness, or a sinful desire. Some of us wish we weren't so short, or ugly, or stupid. It's not wrong to ask the Lord to take from us our very own thorn in the flesh. We're welcome to ask God for things; we may get what we ask for or we may not. In the same way, children may ask their parents for things like a new toy or more food. However, in this verse, Paul is pleading with the Lord. He desperately wants to be rid of this thorn.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)

We should lift up our requests to God. He will answer, he answered Paul. He may not answer us all in the same way, but we will receive an answer eventually. We may not receive the answer we were expecting. However, in everything, present your requests to God.