13 And lead us not into temptation,

    but deliver us from the evil one.’

– Matthew 6:13

Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 195. For what do we pray in the sixth request?

In the sixth request (And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one1), we acknowledge that God, who is completely wise, righteous, and gracious, may, for various holy and just purposes, ordain circumstances by which we become the target of temptations, are defeated, and temporarily taken captive by them; that Satan, the world, and our own sinful natures have a powerful potential to turn us aside from righteousness and trap us; and that even after our sins have been forgiven, we are naturally so depraved, spiritually weak, and inattentive to our spiritual condition that we are not only prey to temptations and willingly expose ourselves to them but are completely incapable of and unwilling to resist, get away from, or use them as opportunities for our spiritual growth—and consequently we deserve to be left under their power. We pray then that God would so rule over the world and everyone in it, so curb our sinful natures and restrain Satan, so ordain all things, so endow and bless all the means of grace and sharpen our awareness in the use of them, that we and all his people may be providentially spared from being tempted to sin; or, if tempted, that his Spirit would powerfully support and enable us to resist during the time of our temptation; or, should we fall, that we would be raised again and restored, with the experience being thereby sanctified and used for our spiritual growth; and that our sanctification and salvation may be made complete, Satan trampled under our feet, and we become completely delivered from sin, temptation, and all evil, forever.

Head

1. How could God lead us into temptation? Look up James 1:13-15. How do you think Jesus' prayer relates to what James writes? 

2. How could God deliver us from the evil one?

Heart

1. Where do you commonly succumb to temptation?

2. Where do you intentionally not avoid temptation? 

3. Where do you allow yourself to indulge in smaller temptations that seem innocent?

Hands

1. Pray for God to help deliver you from those temptations in the areas you struggle most.

2. Pray that God would help you to be vigilant to fight even small temptations before they get larger.

3. Pray that God would help you to see his way of living as more life-giving than what those temptations offer.