Lead us not into temptation

“Temptations and afflictions prove how much we have progressed, and by going through them our rewards are greater and God’s graces are more prominently shown. It is no great thing if we are devout and fervent when we are not being afflicted, but if during adversity we bear ourselves patiently, there is hope then of great progress in grace. Some who are kept from great temptations are often overcome by small ones that occur daily. This happens so that having failed in small matters they will never presume that they are able to withstand the greater temptations in their own strength.” - Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

As the Lord's Prayer draws to a close, we see an interesting request. This request is issued both positively and negatively ("do this" and "do not do that"), but even the positive aspect of the request is issued in a uniquely negative way. "Lead us" is a request for God the Father to be our shepherd as we humble ourselves to be His sheep. Sheep can be led or driven, and our God is One who leads. He does not drive us with a whip; He calls us to follow Him. He always goes before us. So He leads us, and we ask Him to lead us.

But we don't want to be led into temptation. This seems a strange request, for in making it, it seems that we might consider God to be guilty of tempting us. And we read elsewhere in Scripture that God tempts no one. Rather we are tempted by the trinity of evil - the world, the flesh, and the devil. Yet, this portion of the prayer points us to God's sovereignty, for we must realize, and by praying this prayer we do realize, that God controls everything from the greatest calamity to the tiniest most insignificant atom floating in distant space. He has Satan, and therefore all of Satan's minions, on a leash. They can do nothing apart from His permission and in line with His eternal plan. Thus, our prayer is for God to keep His hedge of protection around us, to lead us not in temptation. For we know in our frailty that we would succumb to whatever miniscule threat comes at us. Oh Lord, we pray, don't lead us there, for we will fall in our own power. That's why Paul delcares an important truth in 1 Corinthians 10:13:

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."