The question of what we should pray for is an interesting one. I once wrote about asking for “personal, selfish things” and that article seems to have garnered a good bit of interest. But I do think we fall into praying ruts, which is one reason I pray through the Lord’s Prayer most every day. I try to make it thoughtful, not rote, making each petition my own and seeking the Lord through it.
Our praying ruts can be especially dangerous if they leave out a prayer that Jesus teaches us to pray in His famous prayer: “Lead us not into temptation.” And it’s interesting that the Lord tells his disciples to especially pray this prayer as the hour or trial came upon them:
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Luke 22:39-40 (ESV)
It was such a significant prayer that Jesus reiterated it a little later, when he found the boys dozing:
And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Luke 22:45-46 (ESV)
Jesus knew that a very difficult hour was coming upon them, and therefore He knew what they needed to be praying for, help in keeping their commitment to Him and to His cause. “Lord, keep us from temptation and sin!” And we can surmise why the Lord kept reminding His disciples to pray this way: wasn’t it this basic prayer that Jesus Himself prayed as He sweat great drops of blood in the Garden? “Not My will, but Thine be done.”
It’s a good lesson for you and me. What is the temptation that you struggle with? Is it a sharp temper toward your little ones when you come home at the end of a hard day? Then let that car ride home be a time that you pray not to enter into temptation. Is it the “all-you-can-eat” buffet that the gang from work is heading to tomorrow? Pray today for strength tomorrow to order a salad off the menu.
This kind of prayer is powerful. And if I’m not mistaken, we often overlook it. So take some time and think through your particular struggles, and ask the Lord to keep you from temptation.
The Father graciously answered His Son, to our eternal benefit, and He will come to our aid as well.
For tomorrow, Friday, July 31st: Luke 23
Entrusted with the Gospel 
Wenda Lehman
July 30, 2015 at 8:41 am
I so have to get better at praying this for myself and for others as well. I love when Jesus warned Peter ahead of time in this chapter – Luke 22:31-32 (ESV)
Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Jesus instructed Peter to ‘strengthen his brothers’. We so need this warfare prayer for ourselves and for others – the battle rages on . . . and am super glad Jesus intercedes for us.
I am so thankful for inspired2015 as I have for years read cover to cover, reading 3 to 4 chapters a day – but I have found this one chapter a day gives me more of a chance to really see things in greater depth. I hesitated cause of reaching a milestone number but am so grateful for this pace. Blessings Pastor – may this blog writing cause growth in grace for you personally!
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Roger Knowlton
July 30, 2015 at 10:06 am
You know, Wenda, I thought about that particular idea in verse 31 also. So Jesus is praying this “oft-overlooked prayer” for Peter, and is also apparently encouraging him to pray it for others when he makes the turn himself. Strengthen your brothers means more than prayer, of course, but not less, I’m sure.
And yes, writing the blog is a definite faith strengthener, I think. The process of writing serves to be wonderful meditation. My hesitation stems from the danger I feel in doing this of going straight from the text to teaching others and bypassing myself, something I have done too many times in this blog writing. So if you pray for me, pray for that.
And let me say, I am thankful for your faithful example in being a person of the Word!
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Paul Neevel
July 30, 2015 at 2:05 pm
I’ve also really enjoyed and appreciated the Inspired Devotional / daily blogs, and I look forward to the words of wisdom from the likes of Wenda and Mark H.! I think there’s a lot who read the blog but don’t comment, but I just want you to know what an encouragement this has been for me and others that I’ve talked with.
And the reminders about it being OK that if you missed a day(or a week, or a month) to start up again? Those are helpful.
Vs 31 stuck out to me today too, and the first thought I had was about missed devotional times. Plus lots of other opportunities to ‘repent and turn to Him again’…
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Roger Knowlton
July 30, 2015 at 2:06 pm
Thanks for the good word, Paul!
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