Seeking Divine Protection: Understanding the Lord's Prayer
Summary
In our seven-week journey through the Lord's Prayer, we have taken a deliberate pace to unpack the richness of this prayer, line by line. As we conclude this series, we find ourselves contemplating the final petition: "And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13). This request, though seemingly two-fold, is in fact a singular plea for spiritual fortitude and protection.The Lord's Prayer is structured in two sets of three petitions. The first trio focuses on God's glory—His name, kingdom, and will—while the second set centers on our needs for grace: provision, pardon, and protection. This trinitarian pattern reflects our relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, emphasizing our dependence on each Person of the Trinity for our daily sustenance, forgiveness, and guidance away from sin.As we delve into the nature of temptation, we recognize three types: trials that test our faith, external enticements to sin, and internal allurements from our fallen nature. Jesus Himself faced these temptations in the wilderness, yet without sin. His responses to the devil's lures of pleasure, pride, and power provide us with a template for resisting temptation. Jesus chose obedience to the Father over immediate gratification, proving that God's provision is superior to earthly pleasures, that God's plan is worth any hardship, and that true authority comes from God alone.In praying "lead us not into temptation," we are not suggesting that God would entice us to sin—such an act would contradict His character. Instead, we are asking God to guard us from situations where temptation might overwhelm us. We acknowledge our weakness and our need for God's strength and guidance to navigate the spiritual battles we face.As we reflect on the Lord's Prayer as a whole, we are reminded that it is not only a model for prayer but also a mirror showing us our need for God's provision, pardon, and protection. We are called to live lives set apart from sin, seeking God's guidance and relying on His strength to overcome the evil one.In closing, we are encouraged by the words of Andrew Murray, a man of deep prayer, who invites us to enroll in the school of prayer, to learn the privilege and power of prayer, and to rely on Jesus as our teacher. We are reminded that we are not alone in our struggles; we have a Savior who fights for us and delivers us from the enemy's grasp.Key Takeaways:- The Lord's Prayer is a profound reflection of our relationship with the Trinity, with each set of petitions corresponding to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It teaches us to seek God's glory and to humbly rely on His grace for our daily needs, forgiveness, and protection from sin. [49:33]- Temptation comes in various forms, but the devil's tactics are not new. By examining Jesus' responses to temptation, we learn that true satisfaction comes from God's presence, not from the fleeting pleasures of this world. We are called to trust in God's provision and to value His promises over immediate gratification. [49:33]- When we pray to be delivered from evil, we acknowledge the spiritual warfare around us and our need for God's guidance and protection. We recognize that we are not strong enough to face the devil on our own and that we require the Savior's victory to stand firm against the enemy's schemes. [49:33]- Asking God not to lead us into temptation is an admission of our vulnerability and a declaration of our desire to live holy lives. It is a plea for God to steer us away from situations where we might fall into sin and a recognition that only with His help can we resist the allure of sin. [49:33]- The Lord's Prayer is not just a set of words to recite; it is an invitation to experience the depth of God's love and care for us. As we approach God as our Father, we are assured that He is eager to guide, guard, and protect us, just as a loving parent does for their child. [49:33]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:13 - "And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
2. James 1:2 - "Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials."
3. Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus in the wilderness.
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three types of temptation mentioned in the sermon? ([04:47])
2. How does the Lord's Prayer reflect a trinitarian structure according to the sermon? ([01:39])
3. What was Jesus' response to the devil's temptations in the wilderness? ([06:41])
4. According to the sermon, what does it mean when we pray, "lead us not into temptation"? ([08:06])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding the three types of temptation help us in our daily spiritual battles? ([04:47])
2. In what ways does the trinitarian structure of the Lord's Prayer deepen our understanding of our relationship with God? ([01:39])
3. Why is it significant that Jesus resisted temptation by quoting Scripture? How can this be applied in our own lives? ([06:41])
4. What does it mean to ask God to "deliver us from the evil one," and how does this reflect our dependence on God's strength? ([10:49])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent trial or temptation you faced. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in light of Jesus' example in the wilderness? ([06:41])
2. The sermon mentioned that we often struggle to ask for help. How can you cultivate a habit of seeking God's guidance and strength in your daily life? ([11:29])
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you are tempted by immediate gratification. What steps can you take to trust in God's provision and promises instead? ([17:48])
4. How can you remind yourself of the trinitarian structure of the Lord's Prayer in your daily prayers, and how might this change the way you pray? ([01:39])
5. Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by temptation. How can you incorporate the prayer "lead us not into temptation" into your daily routine to seek God's protection? ([08:06])
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of recognizing our vulnerability and dependence on God. How can you practice humility and reliance on God in your interactions with others this week? ([10:49])
7. Reflect on the quote from Andrew Murray about enrolling in the school of prayer. What steps can you take to deepen your prayer life and rely more on Jesus as your teacher? ([27:17])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Trinity in PrayerIn the Lord's Prayer, believers are invited to engage with the fullness of the Trinity—God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This prayer is not just a ritual but a profound reflection of the relational nature of faith. The first set of petitions focuses on the reverence of God's name, the coming of His kingdom, and the fulfillment of His will, aligning the believer's heart with divine priorities. The second set addresses human needs: daily sustenance, forgiveness, and protection from sin. This structure teaches the faithful to honor God and to humbly depend on His grace for every aspect of life. It is a call to recognize the provision, pardon, and protection that only the Trinity can bestow, shaping a life of worship and reliance on God."O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger." (Psalm 8:1-2)Reflection: How does your current prayer life reflect an awareness of the Trinity, and what changes can you make to more fully embrace this relationship in your daily prayers?Day 2: The Reality of Temptation and Divine SatisfactionTemptation is an inevitable part of the human experience, manifesting through trials that test faith, external enticements, and internal desires stemming from our fallen nature. Jesus, during His time in the wilderness, faced these very temptations but remained sinless. His example shows that true fulfillment and satisfaction are found in God, not in the fleeting pleasures of the world. By trusting in God's provision and valuing His promises, believers can resist the urge for immediate gratification. This understanding calls for a trust that God's presence and provision are sufficient for every need and that His plans are worth any sacrifice."But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)Reflection: Recall a recent situation where you faced temptation. How did you respond, and how can you apply Jesus' example to better resist such temptations in the future?Day 3: Acknowledging Spiritual WarfareThe prayer to be delivered from evil is an acknowledgment of the spiritual warfare that surrounds believers. It is an admission of human frailty and a declaration of dependence on God's strength and guidance. This plea recognizes that without the Savior's victory, standing firm against the enemy's schemes is impossible. It is a humble request for God to steer His children away from situations that may lead to sin and a testament to the believer's desire to live a life set apart, relying on divine power to resist evil."Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world." (1 Peter 5:8-9)Reflection: What are some practical ways you can remain vigilant against spiritual attacks, and how can you strengthen your faith to resist the devil's prowling?Day 4: Vulnerability and the Desire for HolinessPraying not to be led into temptation is an expression of vulnerability and a desire to pursue holiness. It is not a suggestion that God would lead us into sin, but rather a plea for His guidance to avoid situations where temptation might be overwhelming. This part of the Lord's Prayer is a commitment to seeking God's direction and a recognition that only with His help can believers navigate the challenges of life without succumbing to sin. It is a daily commitment to living a life that honors God, avoiding the pitfalls that lead away from His path."Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24)Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel most vulnerable to temptation. How can you proactively seek God's guidance in this area to strengthen your resolve for holiness?Day 5: The Lord's Prayer as an Invitation to God's LoveThe Lord's Prayer is more than a set of words; it is an invitation to experience the depth of God's love and care. Approaching God as Father, believers are assured of His eagerness to guide, guard, and protect, much like a loving parent does for their child. This prayer encapsulates the essence of a relationship with God, one that is built on trust, love, and the assurance that He is attentive to the needs of His children. It is a reminder that in every aspect of life, God is present, ready to provide, forgive, and shield from harm."How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings." (Psalm 36:7)Reflection: Reflect on how you view God as a Father. How does this perspective influence your trust in His willingness to provide, forgive, and protect you in your daily life?
Quotes
1) "We are living in the midst of a spiritual war... this prayer is a cry for help and strength and protection... we need the father's guidance, the savior's work, and the spirit's strength in order to have victory." [26:02] ( | | )
2) "Our highest goal is autonomy and self-reliance... but instead of saying 'God I need you,' it can become something more like 'It's okay God, I can handle it.' But remember who we're talking to when we pray: Our Father." [12:04] ( | | )
3) "Jesus knew that God's ends... have to be accomplished by his means... It's not just about getting a task accomplished; it's about doing it God's way." [21:40] ( | | )
4) "The entirety of this prayer... teaches us not just how to pray but also teaches us about ourselves... every human needs provision, pardon, and protection." [04:08] ( | | )
5) "When we're praying for this we're not praying for a life without suffering... but we are praying for a life set apart from sin... we're praying for spiritual protection." [10:07] ( | | )
6) "God doesn't set traps for us... rather it says 'do not lead me into temptation.' That means 'don't allow me to be near the allure of sin... don't permit me to be in a situation where the enticement to sin will be greater than I can bear.'" [08:50] ( | | )
7) "The evil one... isn't that creative. Crafty, yes; creative, not really... the things that Jesus was tempted with are probably going to be the same sort of things that you and I are going to be tempted with." [15:11] ( | | )
8) "My father's going to sustain me... my father is with me. Some other texts from the Psalms... 'One moment in Your presence, God, is better than there could ever be.'" [17:05] ( | | )
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