It's probably more simple than we typically think. Here's how Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:13: "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (or, more specifically, the evil one). God does not tempt us (James 1:13), so the prayer must be a prayer for God to guard us against situations that lead into temptation. Later, Jesus told His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane to pray the same way: "Pray that you may not enter into temptation" (Luke 22:40).
Here's the reality. Most of us pray about temptation after the fact — and the prayer sounds like this: "Lord, forgive me again." Our prayers are in response to our sin, not in preparation to defeat our sin.
Maybe we would living holier lives if we would simply pray like Jesus taught us to pray. As you begin each day this week, do what Jesus told us to do. Pray, "Father, keep me from temptation. Deliver me from the evil one before he wins in my life." You might find more victory that way.
