Your Life Will Be Different When You Pray This Prayer

Your Life Will Be Different When You Pray This Prayer

Luke 22:40 - When He arrived at the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."
NASU
 
            The Prayer That Changes Things
 
We have all been informed to pray this prayer. This isn't the first time we see this command as we read our Bibles. It is also found in Matt. 6:9-13 and is a part of what is known as the model prayer: Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name….13 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.   NASU
 
This is a very interesting command.
 
If we pray it we may never know the temptations that we were able to avoid. Think about it. We pray not to enter into temptation and the Lord answers our prayers and we don't enter into temptation.
 
How are we going to know what temptation(s) we avoided?
 
I guess when we get to heaven and we are informed do you remember praying for temptations to be avoided? Yes, well here is the temptation that was coming to make your life miserable but you avoided it because of your prayer.
 
WOW!
 
You see Prayer changes things and there really is no way we would ever be able to know to what extent until we get to heaven.
 
            Temptations Are Strong
 
Before you and I ever sin we are tempted.
 
We must remember the temptation is NOT the SIN. It is only when we allow the temptation to defeat us that we will enter into sin. Again, temptation is not the sin. It is only an avenue that will lead to sin if we allow it.
 
You and I both know certain temptations have defeated us. They were stronger opponents than we thought. Some temptations have no effect on this person but totally devastates another. No alcoholic, or drug addict ever thought their first temptation to try the substance they are abusing was going to lead them where they are now.
 
Imagine if they would have been praying, "Lord, may I never enter into that specific temptation." I think we all know there are some temptations going to come our way, but when they come if we have prayed to overcome them we will be the victors and not the losers.
 
You know the temptations that defeat you. So pray for those temptations specifically to be avoided.
 
            Temptations Defeat The Disciples
 
Jesus is in the Garden before His crucifixion and He tells His disciples "to pray that they may not enter into temptation." We know they don't pray. They go to sleep and then the temptations come their way.
 
We will see Peter shortly denying three times he even knows Jesus. While the other disciples run for their lives.
 
            You Can Defeat Your Temptations
 
I believe we can defeat our temptations. I also believe they will be easier to defeat if we have prayed as the Lord has told us. Lord, lead me not into temptation and please deliver me from the evil I will encounter.
 
Think on These:
 
A person falls into temptation because he is unwilling to stand up against it.
 
By yielding to temptation one may lose in a moment what it took a lifetime to acquire.
 
When you flee from temptation DO NOT leave a forwarding address.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago
 
Minister of God's Word
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