For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
For - `concerning this thing.'
Thrice. To his first and second prayer no answer came. To his third the answer satisfied his faith, and led him to bow his will to God's will. So Paul's master, Jesus, thrice prayed on the mount of Olives, in resignation to the Father's will.
The Lord - Christ. Escape from the cross is not to be sought even indirectly from Satan (Luke 4:7).