This is a post from our church’s “Ancient Words, Authentic Lives” Bible reading group… If you’re looking for a way to read scripture with a group of others, check out the group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ancientwords.

I was struck this a.m. by Jesus’ words to the disciples in Luke 22.40 – “Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation.”

Perhaps that’s why I/we fall to temptation so much… we are not praying fervently and diligently. In our laziness, we’ve allowed our prayer lives to be dictated by convenience and need rather than compelled by our love for our Savior. After all, if you love someone deeply, don’t you enjoy communicating with them? Perhaps, we all remain a little unconvinced about Jesus’ real presence in our lives. What else could explain our prayerlessness? That we don’t have time? How absurd! Of course we have time! Every moment of the day is an opportunity for prayer.

Again in v46, He says, “Get up and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you.” So get up and pray! Let’s all re-discipline and re-devote ourselves to loving our Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind. Let’s not be content to talk about our Lord, but let’s be talk TO Him.

As we do so, we will find new power over temptation in our lives! I think we’re all a little frustrated with how easily we fall to temptation. We are prey to sin because we are not praying to the Father.

And look at what results from prayer, according to Paul in Philippians 4.6-7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. IF YOU DO THIS, you will experience God’s PEACE…”

Pray for power over temptation. Pray deeply, daily, and devotedly. Experience peace.

Be blessed!

Jeff

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