God’s Guidance

Today we are going to close out our time together in the Lord’s prayer.  We could spend months praying and unpacking the depth of joy and hope that comes in the prayer but for now, it’s time to bring this miracle to a close. The prayer concludes...

 “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.”

Today, we move from a request for provision (give us this day our daily bread), and forgiveness (and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us), to a request for guidance. 

To me, “Lead us not into temptation” means “God, keep me from walking down the predictable path of my own bad decisions.” Maybe you have heard this before: “Dear God, but so far today I have done all right. I haven’t gossiped, haven’t lost my temper, haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or over-indulgent. I’m really glad about that. But in a few minutes God, I am going to get out of bed and from then on I am going to need a little more help. Thank you. Amen.”

Who are we going to follow today? Will it be the one who leads me into temptation or the One who leads me to safety?

 When I was a youth pastor, I took a group of high school students to Mexico on a service trip. We drove a van from Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada to El Florido, Mexico.  At one point, coming through the mountains in California, our engine overheated. The engine block was glowing red with heat. We were stranded and I was panicked. A kid named Gary quietly said, “Maybe we should pray.” Really Gary?... I was embarrassed because Gary got to the true and godly response before I did! We prayed, closed the hood and drove. A few miles down the road, the temperature gauge started coming down and when we pulled over to check, one of the leaders put his hand in the engine compartment and it was only warm! 

 I began to think...Why don’t I pray quicker in those moments? Why don’t I pray for God to deliver me from my anger and fear? Why don’t I pray for God to guide me and show me where to go, lead me not into temptation and protect me from the Evil One? What greater strategy would the Devil have other than to keep God’s children from talking to their Father? friend, don’t ever stop praying!

And, that’s the end of the prayer, but not as we know it, right?

Very early on with this grand prayer, Jesus' followers added these words, "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever." They were saying, "God, may this prayer be all about YOU." 

Then this final word: "Amen." Just as it's good to begin a prayer conversation with God by addressing him, it's good to close it on a note of praise. This little word, amen, is more than just a way of saying “the end”. It is this ringing affirmation of the Spirit. "Yes! So be it! This is just the way we want it."

friend, this is not the end! It’s just the beginning as we begin the first day of a miraculous season filled with these precious words:

“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13, NKJV) 

You are a miracle!