Wednesday - Pray Like This (Lead Us and Deliver Us)

Welcome to daily prayer. This week we are focused on the final petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” Today we are looking at the faithfulness of God to provide a way of escape. 

Praise:

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to your name, O Lord Most High. To declare your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night." Psalm 92 

Father, I praise you for your great goodness, your faithfulness and mercy.

Because of all that you have done for me, I present my body to you as a living sacrifice for this day. I want to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, affirming that your will for me is good, acceptable and perfect (Rom 12:1-2).

I set my mind on you. 

I fix my gaze on you. 

I open my heart to you. 

Come and have your way in me. 

A Scripture reading from 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11-13

6 Now these things occurred as examples

 to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.

12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 

13 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.

A Time to Rejoice in the Lord:

Father, I rejoice in your faithfulness. You always provide a way of escape so that we can endure. You have given us all that we need for life and godliness. You have given us great and precious promises so that through them we can participate in your divine nature. We can experience your life and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. You have invited me to draw near and for that I adore you. 

A Time to Acknowledge our Needs and Ask God for Help:

Lord, I acknowledge that you have given us so many examples of what happens when people set their hearts on evil things. We have not taken heed. We have not walked in the way of wisdom. We have been dragged away and enticed and have given in. Forgive us Lord. 

You have placed us like watchmen on the wall but we have become distracted and pulled away from our post. 

Lord, I repent for getting entangled in civilian affairs when the battle is taking place around us. Forgive me for my lack of focus and care. 

Forgive me for doing nothing when I see those I love in dangerous places. 

Lord, forgive me for saying, “that’s not my problem” to the struggles and difficulties of those around me. 

We ask you to give us the wisdom and humility to recognize that we are not above falling. We renounce our pride and self-sufficiency. 

We turn to you God. Preserve us and keep us. 

Holy Spirit, help us to interpret the situations in our lives through the lens of your kingdom purposes. 

Lord, sanctify our imaginations so that we can see the possibilities in front of us!

 Help us to see opportunities to push back darkness and usher in the light. 

Let’s take a minute to ask the Lord to give us wisdom and clarity: 

Lord, you know what we need. Holy Spirit, would you make it clear to me where I am currently being tempted and how you are providing a way out?

Father, we take our refuge in you. Thank you for your faithfulness to provide a way out. You are the Great Deliverer. Give me the strength to follow where you lead. 

As we listen to the passage again, let’s listen carefully:

6 Now these things occurred as examples

 to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, 

be careful that you don’t fall! 

13 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.

Yield:

O Good Shepherd, we yield our lives to you. Lord, help us to see and to flee. Help us to stand and resist. We want to hate what is evil and cling to what is good.

We say no to the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes and the pride of life and we say yes to you.

Dear friends, as we finish our time together, open your hearts to trust in the keeping and sustaining power of God. Hear this praise from Jude 1:

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.