The Prayer of Prayers
‘Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”’
~Luke 11:1-4 (ESV~emphasis mine)
Several years ago I had a problem with the particular part of the Lord’s prayer…“And lead us not into temptation”. Although I have been praying the prayer since childhood, I couldn’t wrap my mind around that God would lead us into temptation. He loves us, He wants to spend eternity with us…So, I did a little research on this part of the passage and I found this on StudyLight:
The word here translated “temptation” (Peirasmon) means originally “trial” or “test” as in James 1:2. Braid Scots has it: “And lat us no be siftit.” But God does test or sift us (emphasis mine), though he does not tempt us to evil. No one understood temptation so well as Jesus for the devil tempted him by every avenue of approach to all kinds of sin, but without success. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus will say to Peter, James, and John: “Pray that ye enter not into temptation” (Luke 22:40). That is the idea here. Here we have a “Permissive imperative” as grammarians term it. The idea is then: “Do not allow us to be led into temptation.” There is a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13), but it is a terrible risk (taken from Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament)
Yes, the life of a Christian is not without any trials and temptation, but Jesus has set the example how to withstand those temptations: Holding on to the Word of God and trust Him that He will bring us home…
Lord of Heaven and Earth. Sometimes You need to sift us, just like You had to sift Peter. Lord, even though those times can be very draining and discouraging, I know that You make us stronger through them. Lord, the only thing I ask is that You keep me close to You and help me not to loose faith — no matter how bad it gets. I cling to the promise that You will never leave or forsake me. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen.
Blessings on your day and as always…
How beautiful! I think of how Job was also tempted but he kept his eyes on his Heavenly Father and was blessed mightily. I love Francis of Assisi’s prayer, “Lord make me an instrument of your peace…” I think of all Francis went though, of all he gave up to serve Christ. Sifting can be painful but like your prayer says the sifting and shaking do make us stronger. God Bless you!
amen to that prayer! your post reminded me of the jewish parable, ” light is not recognizable except through darkness…” Giving purpose to our pain.
shalom and love,
Iris, just THIS MORNING I was listening to that very thing—in a Beth Moore teaching on my way to work! God does test, sift and try us—-seeing how strong our faith is! May we ever be found faithful servants of the Lord! YOU blessed me today! I needed a repeat!
You Listened to HIS voice….and brought us what was needful!
Thankyou Iris, I love you dearly.
Bless you dear Iris, love you my friend.
Iris,
Boy do I understand this of late. Seems you and I both are in a stange and uncomfortable place. Thank you for this wonderful post.
Iris,
I just posted the other day on another part of the Lord’s Prayer at the Cafe…’give us this day our daily bread..’
He will give and take away…your prayer was beautiful and heartfelt…you just continued my thoughts from the other day for me….
blessing me on the way!
thanks Iris. ~ peace IN HIM,
lori
Excellent research! I wondered about that word “temptation” myself. My delving turned up the same results as yours… now when I pray The Lord’s Prayer in church it makes sense to me. (Funny that I don’t usually pray it privately, isn’t it?)
The Lord’s Prayer is so beautiful in its simplicity. No heavy theology in it… just a simple statement of our basic needs and God’s promise to meet them.
I’ve miss Sting My Heart, Iris. I hope you’re using some of your bloggy break time to prepare your devotionals for pubication. I think “Sting” is recognized as a “brand” in the blogiverse–a ready “market!”
Have a blessed weekend. Hugs, e-Mom
Thank you Iris, I will have a more clear understand whenever I hear that passage.
Blessings.
Thank you Iris for this post and for giving me a clearer understanding of the Lord’s Prayer.