Matthew 6:13a-b – The Lord’s Prayer

It’s Monday again and we’ll take a deeper look at the last of the three petitions which focus on our personal needs.

Matthew 6:13a+b (NKJV)
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

The “New Believer’s Bible Commentary” says:

“Recognize your inclination to fall into sin, and pray that the opportunity to sin will not lead to committing the sin.” *

William MacDonald comments:

“And do not lead us into temptation.
This request may appear to contradict James 1:13, which states that God would never tempt anyone. However, God does allow His people to be tested and tried. This petition expresses a healthy distrust of one’s own ability to resist temptations or to stand up under trial. It acknowledges complete dependence on the Lord for preservation.

But deliver us from the evil one.
This is the prayer of all who desperately desire to be kept from sin by the power of God. It is the heart’s cry for daily salvation from the power of sin and Satan in one’s life.” #

How do I formulate my request for help from the Lord to not fall into sin?

• Lord, please keep temptation away from me
• Please make me strong to withstand temptation
• Guide me out of any tempting situation
• Shield me from evil attacks

Put on the armor of God. Look to Ephesians 6:11-17.

• I put on the helmet of salvation to protect my mind from evil attacks;
  (I don’t have to entertain any evil thoughts that enter my mind)
• I put on the shield of faith to protect my heart from any evil arrows

Anytime we do fall into temptation and sin, we are blessed to have the immediate opportunity to ask for forgiveness and be forgiven by the Lord; and He will remember no more!

We end our prayer to the Father with “in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

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Do you struggle with temptation?
Are you leaning on the Lord for help?
Feel free to leave me a comment; I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

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May our hearts rejoice in the Lord always!

I hope this post is an encouragement to you in your walk with the Lord.

Philippians 1:9-11 (NKJV)
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

To God be the Glory Forever and Ever!

*New Believer’s Bible-First Steps for New Christians-Greg Laurie-General Edition
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

# Believer’s Bible Commentary by William MacDonald