Articles
Prayer and Temptation
Prayer is a critical weapon in our arsenal against Satan. Here are four benefits of praying about our temptations—before, during, and after.
Prayer calls down God’s protection. Jesus taught us to pray: “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matt. 6:13). God himself will never tempt us to sin (see James 1:13), so this is a prayer meaning something like, “Do not abandon us when we are tempted.” It is a cry of helplessness against our enemy and an affirmation of dependence on God’s help. Indeed, God never allows us to be tempted beyond our ability to resist (1 Cor. 10:13), so if we fail it is not because God has left us, but because we have temporarily let go of him. This prayer, then, helps prepare our minds and hearts to look for that way of escape even before temptations come.
Prayer accesses God’s help and grace in our time of greatest need. What is our greatest need, except to the faithful to him? Because Jesus, our high priest, can sympathize with our temptations, “let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). God’s rule is one of power, but also of grace. This is why we can come to him “with confidence,” even when we feel weak and sinful. He longs to help, aid, and forgive. What’s more, Jesus mediates on our behalf. He understands the draw temptation has on our hearts since he himself felt the same. Whatever form in which that help comes (reminder of God’s written word, a phone call from a trusted friend), know God is working to help us overcome.
Prayer keeps us alert to Satan’s devices. Jesus told his disciples, “Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation” (Mark 14:38). We sometimes overlook how Satan was tempting Jesus in Gethsemane to give up his agonizing mission. Jesus overcame by praying about it. He also forewarned the disciples their faith would also be tested. Instead, they slept. The seriousness of the moment was lost on them. This is often us, lulled into a spiritual slumber by prosperity and ease only to find ourselves stumbling headlong into sin! Jesus’ admonition is to continually watch and pray, so that we are not caught by surprise or blindsided by the lion charging at us.
Prayer strengthens us with God’s power to stand firm when we are in the heat of battle. In context of the armor of God Paul urges, “with all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit” (Eph. 6:18). Prayer is the glue that holds the armor of God together. Through prayer we put on the armor and prepare to enter battle with God’s strength. The context clearly affirms we are not strong enough to overcome our enemy. Alone, we are outnumbered 10,000 to 1 (v. 12)! But though prayer we rely on God’s strength, which can overwhelmingly defeat any power of evil.
Temptation are strong, but God is stronger. If you try to overcome Satan alone, you will fail. This is why prayer is so powerful, because through it we can “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (Eph. 6:10). Prayer is a critical weapon in our arsenal against Satan, so let us wield it and wield it often!
