Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV
“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
INSIGHT
–The Lord’s Prayer remains the most commonly recital among Christians and it has a special place in our worship. Jesus taught the disciples how to pray and gave this as the model of prayer. In an abridgment, the prayer moves from praising God’s name and kingdom to requesting daily needs, forgiveness, and protection from evil. Our focus today is the last section that acknowledges that temptations are part of our faith. It reflects discomfort with the idea that God would ever “lead” people into temptation, since God tempts no one to sin (James 1:13). Temptation is more properly ascribed to Satan, the “evil one” mentioned in the final petition, and it is by God’s grace that we receive find victory and rest for our souls.
PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil; for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory; forever and ever. We thank You dear Lord Jesus for the freedom that You gave our nation through the diligence of our fore-father. May You set us free from oppression, injustice, poor governance and corruption Abba Father. Set us free indeed as a nation and as people we humbly implore You and grant us your true salvation. May You give us leaders who fear You and will do Your will only. Lord You are gentle and lowly at heart, may we find rest for our souls. We honor You dear Lord Jesus and exult Your name, and it is in Jesus name we pray. Amen
Further reading: Matthew 11:28-30, John 8:36
James 4:7-10 NKJV
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
INSIGHT
-The Lord cautioned Cain against killing his own brother saying, “sin lies at the door, and its desire is for you, but you should rule over it” (Genesis 4:7). Cain was tempted when his brother Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice to God, and he killed him. God calls us to resist the devil with his works which is a personal responsibility, and he will flee from us. As we stand against the deception of the enemy and his evil works, we recuse ourselves from his snares. 1 Corinthians 13:11 calls it putting away the childish things when one becomes a man. Freedom from demonic oppression is accomplished by submitting ourselves to God, in full obedience to His word and in complete dependence and trust in God.
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus we believe in You, and all our hope and trust is in You. May You grant us the grace to say no to every sin and iniquity that easily ensnares us. Draw us near to Yourself that we may be more like You dear Jesus. May You cleanse our hands, our hearts, and deliver us from double mindedness and wash us with Your precious blood dear Jesus. May You fill our hearts precious Holy Spirit with humility that we may always humble ourselves before You and obey Your will, as You lift us up. We desire more of Your mercy and grace each day, and it is in Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen
Further reading: 1 Corinthians 13:11, Titus 2:11-12
1 Timothy 6:9-10 NKJV
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
INSIGHT
–The love of money is one of the greatest temptations that has the potential to cause every kind of evil in a person’s life. Jesus was tempted in the same way in Matthew 4:8-9 stating, “Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Jesus overcame by His word and the devil left Him and the angels ministered to Him. The love of money has the ability to cause one to stray from their faith and experiencing great grief since they are never content with what they have. This desire can lead individuals down a path of temptation, traps, and harmful desires that ultimately lead to ruin and destruction. The question whether riches can satisfy is answered within God’s word that, “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). God calls us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all other things He will add unto us.
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus, You are Great and greatly to be praised. You created the earth, and everything in it. You created the sea and all the sea creatures. You created the heavens and all the creatures in them including the galaxies, planets and stars. You are the creator of all known and unknown things, we worship You and exult Your holy name. Lord You have cautioned us from worrying about our lives, what we will eat or drink, about our bodies or what we will wear for life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Abba Father, You have assured us that we are more valuable than the birds of the air which do not sow or reap or store away in barns but yet You feed them. Lord You have promised that You will never leave us nor forsake us, we worship You and give You praise for who You are, and what You continue to do unto us. You are so faithful dear Lord Jesus, we magnify You in all the heavens and the earth. The cattle on the thousands of hills belong to You, every beast of the forest is Yours, gold and silver are silver are Yours, may You cause financial restoration and increase in each of our lives, families and nation. We pray that every debt and pending bill will be paid by Your mercy and grace Lord. May You break the curse of corruption and embezzlement of public funds in our nation and give us better leaders for this generation and generations to come dear Lord Jesus who will fear You and do Your will. We need You at each and every moment of our lives dear Lord Jesus. All glory and honor belongs to You, now and forever. Amen
Further reading: Matthew 6:25-34, Psalm 50:10
1 Peter 4:12-13 NKJV
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
INSIGHT
-Apostle Peter reveals that instead of being surprised at trials, we should rejoice in them. We should not think that something strange is happening when we suffer; after all, Jesus does tell us that we must take up our cross if we want to follow Him (Mark 8:34–35). We have been called to resist temptations even to a point of bloodshed while striving against sin. Resisting temptations is the chastening of the Lord, and the Lord chastens the ones He loves (Hebrews 12:4-6).
PRAYER
Thank You Abba Father for You are Good and Your mercies endures forever. Thank You for loving us so much that we cannot comprehend it fully. Thank You for choosing us and making us Your children dear Lord Jesus. Thank You for the grace to resist temptations and sin. May Your grace abound in us that we may always take up our cross and follow You. May You fight for us every battle dear Lord Jesus for the battle belongs to You. We honor You Lord and give You praise, and it is in Jesus name we pray. Amen
Further reading: Galatians 2:16-20
Matthew 4:1 NKJV
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”
INSIGHT
–After Jesus has fasted for forty days and forty nights, Jesus was temped by the devil. Most often the wilderness represents a place of preparation, waiting for God’s next move, learning to trust in God’s mercy. For forty days and nights Jesus remains in the wilderness, without food, getting ready for what comes next. Jesus was temped with physical food, having come from a place of fasting (Matthew 4:3). He was then taken to a pinnacle of the temple and told to jump and the Lord will order the angels over him (Matthew 4:6). Lastly, he was taken to an exceedingly high mountain and shown all the kingdoms of the world with the promise that they would be given to Him if He accepts to worship the devil (Matthew 4:8-9). All these temptations Jesus overcame by His everlasting word and sovereign power. If Jesus was tempted by the devil we are also prone to be tested as believers, which is a test of faith that produces perseverance (James 1:3).
SUMMARY
Tempt in Greek is written as Peirazo and Nasa in Hebrew which means to try, prove or test. Temptation involves both external and internal challenges to one’s faith, obedience and moral integrity. The concept of temptation is significant in understanding human nature, sin, and the need for divine assistance. It is crucial to understand that while temptation is not sin itself, it’s a path that can lead to sin if not resisted. The Bible provides guidance on how to resist temptation through prayer, Scripture, and seeking God’s divine help. Abraham was tested by God to sacrifice his son Isaac in Genesis 22:1. The purpose was not to lead Abraham into sin but to test his faith and obedience. Temptation is a universal human experience, reflecting the fallen nature of humanity. It serves as a battleground for spiritual warfare, where believers are called to resist the devil and stand firm in their faith according to Ephesians 6:11-13. The Lord’s Prayer includes a petition for deliverance from temptation: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). God provides the strength to overcome temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13 states, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.” Jesus calls us to watch and pray as He advised His disciples saying, “Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus we lift Your name high for You deserve it. You are our God and none can compare to You. You are Yahweh our Provider and Protector. Thank You for this far that You have brought us, and all that You have done unto us, we are in awe of us. May You deliver us from every evil and do not lead us into temptation, we humbly ask You dear Jesus. May You grant us the wisdom and grace to always say no to sin and increase our faith in You. May Your promises come to life in our lives, families and nation dear Jesus. May You grant Your true salvation to us and all people dear merciful Savior. Lord may You do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask of or think of according to the power that is at work in us. Lord we trust in You and exalt You. We believe that You are able to do more than we can think of or imagine. We believe that we shall be extremely fruitful since we abide in You and You in us. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives and we shall dwell in Your house forever. May You bless us and keep us loving Father, may You shine Your face upon us and be gracious to us. May You lift up Your countenance towards us and give us peace. Amen
Further reading: James 1:13-14