Fall Into Temptation

Luke 22:39&40 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 

I have been enjoying the social media app Pinterest. This app allows me to browse pictures and dig into similar pictures posted by others who also enjoy Pinterest. It is an activity called Pinteresting. It is a diverting activity. And once  I figured out what it was diverting me from I realized it was not a good diversion. Like all things, Pinteresting only good in moderation.

We are surrounded by temptations. Not all temptations are bad. Some temptations are good. But all too many are not beneficial to our well being. Some among us fall victim to temptation to the point of addiction. Many become lost in addiction to the detriment of their lives, and the lives of family and friends. Addiction can be all consuming. I have family members and former family members who have and still struggle with addiction. It is a struggle that does not ever end. It is something that occupies many of my times in prayer. I pray for healing from the addiction I pray for peace in their lives. I pray for patience in their process of healing. And I pray for strength to overcome their addiction. There, but for the grace of God go I. I am blessed to not have the problems of others in my family and circle of friends. And I do not forget that blessing. The words from Jesus, from Luke Chapter 11, to His disciples regarding how to pray come to mind when I ponder temptation. Luke 11: 1-4 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

In or out of temptation, we need to pray. Pray for those lost to temptation and addiction. And pray a prayer of thanksgiving if you are not lost in temptation and addiction. We reach out in love and prayer because that is exactly how Christ would have us share His love.

PRAYER: Lord, our world is filled with temptations that are not good for us. Many of these temptations seek to turn us away from You and Your love. They would seek to fill a perceived hole we sense where no real hole exists. You provide all that we need and we forget that all to often. Help us to focus on You when we have temptation reaching out to us. Keep Your loving arms wrapped around us when we yearn for the emptiness of the temptations of the world.This we ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.