Pray:
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
Read:
Temptation. It is something we all face. We are at war within ourselves. Our desires are torn between what our human nature wants and what our spirit wants. Every day we are confronted with choices and temptations. Are we going to go our way or God’s way? Are we going to walk as children of God or as spoiled children seeking only our own gratification? God has not left us powerless. We have His Spirit and we are called to daily realign our hearts with Him. This is not a passive process. We must daily submit our will to Him. This requires time spent in His Word and in prayer.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
James 1:13-15 (NIV)
Pray:
Lord,
Today, turn my heart to You. Purify me. Help me to desire good and to hate evil. Give me the ability to submit my will and my steps to You. Help me resist the temptation to go my own way and to satisfy my cravings. Guide my steps and turn them from evil and selfishness. Fill me with Your Spirit. Draw Me near.
Amen