Lead Us Not Into Temptation

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

The devil is “like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). He is “going to and fro on the earth,” scheming, tempting, and afflicting (Job 1:7). Satan hates the Lord and us. His mission is heartless: “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). He is doing everything possible to discourage us, distract us, deceive us, and divide us. But we need not fear him, because he is already defeated. Jesus disarmed him at the cross and triumphed over him by His resurrection (Colossians 2:15). 

Let us pray and ask God to give us and all God’s people victory over Satan’s temptations in our day-to-day circumstances. We must pray that we will have the power to resist the devil (James 4:8) and detect his schemes from afar so that we would not be outwitted by them (2 Corinthians 2:11). And we must pray for and help the spiritually weak among us (Galatians 6:1). Each one of us goes through times of doubt and discouragement, so let us strengthen each other, warn each other, remind each other, and restore each other with gentleness and love. 

Believe that our enemy is real and ruthless, but also believe that our God is far greater. A mere word from the mouth of God will destroy him (2 Thessalonians 2:8). Remember that prayer is an incredibly powerful weapon that enables us to be strong in the mighty power of God. 

As we pray for national revival, let’s keep praying for power over temptation and deliverance from evil for ourselves and the Church in America, “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18). 

With you in Christ,
Chuck Hetzler, PhD
Director, Christian Union Day and Night