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The Model Prayer (6)
The Power of Prayer
Introduction
The Model Prayer continues with a request to avoid temptation.
Bible Reading
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Mat 6:9-13)
Lead Us Not Into Temptation
The Bible tells us that the Spirit led Christ into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil. This is one aspect of Christ's earthly ministry that we are not supposed to immitate. We're specifically commanded not to seek temptation. Rather, we're to ask God not to lead us into temptation.
Jesus told his disciples, "Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation." Those who failed to heed His warning fell into temptation. I couldn't help but wonder as I typed those words how many times I've fallen into temptation because I didn't pray the way Jesus told us to pray.
If you're going to ask God to deliver you from temptation, doesn't it make sense to cooperate with your own prayer. Don't knowingly, willingly put yourself in the place of temptation. Avoid it. Make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
The Marine Corps taught us to set up intersecting lines of fire. When a squad defended a position, each Marine was responsible for the area directly in front of him and half of the area on either side of him. That way, each of us bore our own burden and the burden's of the people around us. If someone else was attacked, they weren't in it alone.
The Marine Corps taught us to set up intersecting lines of fire. When a squad defended a position, each Marine was responsible for the area directly in front of him and half of the area on either side of him. That way, each of us bore our own burden and the burden's of the people around us. If someone else was attacked, they weren't in it alone.
That same principle applies to the Model Prayer. We're not just to pray for deliverance from our personal temptations - we're to pray for each other to be delivered from temptation. I wondered as I was preparing this how many of my friends have stumbled because I didn't have their back in prayer.
What About You?
- Do you pray daily that God will not lead you into temptation?
- Are you doing your part to avoid temptation?
- Do you pray daily for other Christians you know that God will not lead them into temptation?
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