Jesus' Prayer RecipeSample

Help

The last step in this prayer pattern is a request for Help that is given in verse 13;"And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil." This step determines our focus as we transition back into daily life. There are two key realities expressed in this final statement.

First, we are susceptible to failure when confronted with temptation. A bumper sticker says this well, “Lead me not into temptation, I can find it by myself.” God never allows us to be tempted with the intent of causing us to do evil because His holy nature cannot even consider such an option (James 1:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13). Instead, God allows us to be tested through difficult circumstances to reveal and encourage our faithfulness. The primary request in the first part of this verse then is that while being examined by God, we would be kept safe from ourselves and our propensity to sin or fail.

Second, we need God’s help to overcome Satan. There is a specific evil that is noted in the second part of the verse that is more accurately translated “from the evil.” This refers to Satan whose desire is to defeat the people of God because he cannot defeat God. Since Satan and his agents are always at war with those who trust in God, our greatest recourse is to have God deliver us (2 Peter 2:9). So, we are saying: “When testing comes, we trust you to empower us to overcome the Evil One.” As it is important to begin our prayers recognizing God’s greatness, it is also vitally important to emerge from prayer confident to walk with God.

After taking time to Recognize, Encourage, Ask, and Confess, let God know how much you need Him to overcome self and Satan. In an act of faith, thank God for empowering you to live victoriously.