Title
The Power In Prayer
Scripture
Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."
(Luke 22:46)
Devotional
To read our Bibles and not see the overwhelming attention given to prayer is to miss the message of the Bible. Prayer is not just petitioning God for needs and blessings, it is an act of worship and fellowship. Prayer is the lifeline of the believer. Prayer was not Christ's preparation for the battle of Calvary; prayer was the battle. The victory came on Calvary.
Do you think that Jesus was being tempted not to go to the cross? He was by all means being tempted. That is why He prayed, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."(1) Prayer, of all the many things it does, will keep the tempter away. It is one thing to overcome temptation, it is another not to be tempted. I choose the latter.
To enter a day without the covering of prayer is to go through a day of temptation. Remember when Jesus taught us to pray the Lord's Prayer, part of that prayer was, "Do not lead us into temptation."(2)
(1) Luke 22:42, (2) Matthew 6:13
Thought For The Night
“The power of prayer is not in the one who prays but in the one who hears it.” Author, Max Lucado
Evening Text
Luke 22:46: Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”
Looking for Answers
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Does God command us to pray? Consider 1 Timothy 2:8.
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How should we pray? Consider Luke 11:1-4.
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Why should we pray? Consider our text.
Evening Study Guide
Defining: “Temptation”: In our text: an enticement to evil by arguments, flattery, or a promise of some real or apparent good.
Referencing: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it,” 1 Corinthians 10:12.
Applying: Are you being tempted? Pray. May I suggest that you not only pray for yourself, but also pray for the person who is being used to tempt you. Also, pray for everyone who is being tempted as you are. This frustrates and helps drive the tempter away.