temptation

"Pray that you may not enter into temptation." Luke 22:40

Before Jesus' betrayal, He urges His disciples to pray. He commands them to do so, in order that they may avoid temptation all together. Though prayer is essential during temptation and for that matter, necessary after temptation, it is also key before temptation even surfaces. In order to be well-prepared for such warfare, we must be spiritually ready before the fight begins.

Jesus anticipated hardships, as He knew His appointed time had come; and so we must also anticipate those rough times, especially when we sense temptation is around the corner. How can we sense danger? We know that Satan is constantly lurking, seeking whom he can devour, therefore, we must be on guard at all times.

Every moment we're on this earth is a possible moment we may be tempted. By praying, temptation will have no effect, no power, no influence in our lives. Our hearts will be so fully entwined with God's will and love that we can overcome such tests. By communing with God consistently, we can avoid entering into temptation.

Dear God,

In those moments before temptation even begins, please help me to wait in prayer and anticipation. Let my prayer be consistent, so that I may be ready for the temptation when it does come.