Pray not to fall into temptation. This is something that we should be praying about daily. As sinful people, we are easily tempted and led astray, which can have various consequences. The Lord knows our weaknesses and has equipped us with the power of prayer to help us be overcomers.
James 5:16 The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. [1] How would our lives be transformed if we spent more time praying about not falling into temptation? How would that change our words and actions each day? With God’s help through prayer, we can be overcomers and have victory over our sinful nature.
Jesus Asked the Disciples to Pray They Would not Fall into Temptation
Jesus knew the disciples were tired and needed them to pray and keep watch as He prayed. The temptation for the disciples was to fall asleep after a long day and not keep watch as Jesus desired. Jesus knew the only way they could succeed in what He was asking was for them to pray they would not fall into temptation.
Mark 14:37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [2] The disciples did not spend the time praying as Jesus had asked, and they quickly fell asleep when He needed them to keep watch. The weakness the disciples experienced is the same weakness we have that shows our need to be in prayer.
Keep Watch, so You Don’t Fall into Temptation
When our children were younger, we were driving around the Chicago metro. We were listening to a book on audio, and I was distracted and missed our exit. If we don’t keep watch as we go along our spiritual journey, we can easily take the wrong exit.
Satan uses temptation to take us on detours and away from God’s plan, and we don’t even realize it. Before you know it, you are on the wrong path, not where you need to be. Since creation, Satan has used temptation to lead us away from God. The good news is that we can repent of our sins, and the Lord can get us back on the right path.
We display humility and spiritual maturity when we pray not to sin and fall into temptation. To do this, we must acknowledge our weakness as human beings and the power of sin. We also remember the Lord’s heart for holiness and His desires for us. James 1:12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. [3]
Pray not to fall into temptation. To hear more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-gods-will-not-mine
[1] The New International Version (Jas 5:16). (2011). Zondervan.
[2] The New International Version (Mk 14:37–38). (2011). Zondervan.
[3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jas 1:12). Tyndale House Publishers.