Page 31 - Living Light Spring 2024

Friday April 5 - Trials and temptations
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6:13
Does this strike you as odd? It implies that God leads us into temptation! Perhaps a better word would be ‘testing’. Jesus experienced severe testing in the wilderness; this was a part of his heavenly Father’s development and strengthening plan. For us, such times can come through illness, or an accident, or when faced with the opportunity to do wrong, or take advantage of someone.
I think the emphasis in this prayer is in the second half: “...deliver us from the evil one.” Jesus had to resist Satan and he did so successfully. He prayed for Peter that he might not fall (Luke 22:32), but even so Peter did! So it is right for us to pray, whatever trials we go through, that Satan will not manage to lead us astray, turning our hearts and minds against God or leading us to sin.
Part of this prayer is about alertness. It isn’t always easy to see when we are being led into a difficult or dangerous situation. That’s how Peter fell. Another part is about self-control – not allowing Satan to exploit our natural desires, self-centredness and weaknesses. No wonder then that Peter wrote, ‘Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion... resist him...’ (1 Peter 5:8-9). Where do you think you need God’s help so as not to fall into temptation?
Heavenly Father, we don’t know what problems, opportunities or even temptations will face us today. But we do know we need your help to avoid slipping and letting you down. Please help us! Amen.
Saturday April 6 - Behind closed doors!
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” Matthew 6:6
Of course, this verse doesn’t mean we should never publicly pray the Lord’s Prayer in church or take part in a prayer group! But it does take us to the heart of prayer. Prayer is not about making us feel good or impressing other people with how spiritual we are. Prayer is about trusting God.
Jesus realised that it isn’t always easy to pray and trust God, because we can’t see him. I find it much easier to trust someone if I can see them or, at least hear their voice responding. I wonder if you’re like me – I don’t like having to use ‘chat boxes’ on websites; I want to speak to another person, and for important things like medical care, I want to see them and know that they have heard me.
When we pray alone, we come face to face with questions such as ‘Am I talking to myself or to God?’; ‘Is God really bothered about me and my prayers?’; ‘Does praying make any difference anyway?’ Trust him!
Many years ago, a wise Christian wrote, ‘What a man is on his knees before God, that he truly is.’ Do we spend much time ‘in secret’ praying? Why not do that today? Take the Lord’s Prayer and pray it a phrase at a time, allowing God to guide you in the silence to pray for others too.
Heavenly Father, how amazing it is that you want to spend time alone with me! Please help me to enjoy your company and grow closer to you. Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY