Blog Detail

A question I often see repeated when Christians look into the ‘Lord’s Prayer’, the prayer that Jesus used as a pattern that should guide our own prayers…

We find this in Matthew 6:7-13  “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.  (8)  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  (9)  Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.  (10)  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  (11)  Give us this day our daily bread,  (12)  and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  (13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

— Part of this prayer which confuses some (I was also one who found it odd), is where Jesus teaches us to ask God to NOT LEAD us into temptation (Vs.13). This confusion originates in the knowledge of verses such as, James 1:13 (ESV) Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

— The question is: So why would Jesus tell us to ask God not to do something (to not lead us into temptation), when it says clearly God never does such a thing?

— And the answer can be found in:

1st Samuel 2:9  “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.

AND: Psalm 31:2-5  Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!  (3)  For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;  (4)  you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.  (5)  Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

First in 1st Samuel 2:9  we find that God indeed guards our steps. He desires that we follow His will and only go where He wishes us to go. However, as every Christian knows, we are given free will to accept His guidance and protection, or to forsake it. (And go our own chosen way.)

Secondly in Psalm 31:2-5  we find two situations in which God is asked to rescue the psalmist (you and I also)…

#1. From some dilemma that we find ourselves in. I would suggest that these dilemmas usually come from our own choices, not God’s choosing.

#2. As it states clearly another dilemma we ask to be rescued from, is the ‘nets’ others have laid out in our path, that are there to ensnare and damage us.

— Again, I ask you… Do you see how we need to ask God to lead us away (out of) from our own desires, and those temptations that come as set before us by others?

As in Matthew 6:13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

— In praying this, we humbly acknowledge our weaknesses before God, and ask Him to understand these weaknesses and not expose us to those situations that our own strengths may fail us.  To not lead us to a place that we cannot bear up to His holy witness.
Psalm 31:2-3  Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!  (3)  For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;  

— Do you see that the psalmist, (as Jesus taught us to), is asking God to hear his prayer, and understand the need to be rescued from life’s temptations to sin, and to instead be brought into God place of fortress and safety.

— So we are praying, “Lord God, do not expose us to situations that in our own humanity, we may fail to behave in a way that will honor your name.” … Do you have any thoughts on this? – Please be free to comment below. (KRK)