“On reaching the place, he said to them, Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” Luke 22:40
The disciples and Jesus had just finished the last supper together. They went to the Mount of Olives. Jesus had told them that one of them would betray them and He would get crucified. Now was a time for prayer. He tells them to start praying to not fall into temptation.
Jesus knew the troubles the disciples would be facing over the next few days. He would be crucified and anyone who followed Him would be severely persecuted. They would have to face the decision of whether to continue to stand with Him, trusting Him when everything showed not to.
He would be dead. Would they trust that He would rise again or give in to the pressures to not follow Him anymore?
This is where the time for prayer comes in. In themselves, they would not have the strength to overcome the temptation to deny Him. They would need the strength of God’s Holy Spirit in them.
It is no different today. You will go through times of troubles in which you may doubt God or turn from Him into temptation. The devil and the world will seek ways to get you to sin against God.
Long before that time comes, you should be in prayer asking God for strength to escape the temptation to sin. God will always provide a way out, then you must be willing to take that step. You must be willing to flee from all temptation.
Seeking God for help before temptation comes gets your eyes on Him first. When your eyes and thoughts are focused on God, you will be able to flee from temptation. You will not fall into temptation. Do not allow yourself to fall asleep and not prayer.
Keep your eyes and thoughts focused on God today.
I pray today that God will give you strength to not fall into temptation; that you will keep your eyes on Jesus; that God will reveal ways to avoid temptation; that God will fill you with His Holy Spirit; and that God will give you strength to flee all temptation.
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