Praying “Lead Us Not Into Temptation…”

Luke’s account of Jesus’ wilderness temptation ends on an ominous note: “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time” (4:13). That moment would come in the garden of Gethsemane.

Instructing eight of his disciples to sit tight in one part of the garden, Jesus took his closest three disciples—Peter, James, and John—farther in and told them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me” (Matthew 26:38). Going a little farther into the garden alone, Jesus began to pray, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (v. 39). What cup was Jesus referring to?

It’s the cup of judgment described in Psalm 75:8: “In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs.” This cup represented God’s judgment that would be poured out on the wicked and disobedient. And yet, Jesus realizes that it would be his "cup" to drink.

We often picture Jesus with nerves of steel—cool, calm, and collected. We put so much emphasis on his divinity that we forget about his humanity. He became like us. He knows what it’s like to dread tomorrow. He knows what it’s like to count the cost or to want another way, an easier way. Jesus knew how temptation works—how easily we can be worn down or thrown off course. That’s why he taught us to pray, ‘Lead us not into temptation.’”

Temptation is not just difficult—it’s dangerous. Stay near it long enough, and it’ll wear you down. As Jesus told his disciples, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). Whatever temptation you’re facing, look at it closely and name what’s beneath it. Then surrender it to the one who authored your desires in the first place, even if that road leads to a cross.

And when it feels like temptation is more than you can handle, remember this promise: ‘No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 a way out so that you can endure it’ (1 Corinthians 10:13). Even when your willpower is gone, God is not. He’s with you in the struggle, and he always makes a way.

Prayer Prompt: Father, when I face the weight of temptation and my will feels weak, help me to lean on your strength and trust in your faithfulness to guide me toward the way you have prepared.