I cannot think about this particular petition of the Lord’s Prayer without being transported to my Lutheran grade school experience where I had to memorize Martin Luther’s explanation of these petitions. What echoes in my mind are Luther’s words, “God, indeed, tempts no one.”
“And do not lead us into temptation.” Matthew 6:13
Luther is right, God does not tempt us. He might however test us (think of God asking Abraham to sacrifice his only son (Genesis 22). It is the enemy of our soul who tempts us, just as he tempted Jesus in the wilderness—when Jesus was in a weakened state. (Matthew 4:1-11).
So what are we asking of God when we say the words, “do not lead me into temptation” as a part of the Lord’s Prayer? A verse in the book of James sheds some light on the subject
“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.” James 1:13–14 (emphasis mine)
In essence we are asking the Lord to protect us from ourselves. We are asking the Lord to strengthen us to stay on the His path and way of doing life. We are asking the Lord to help us stay sober and on the alert as the apostle Peter admonishes us to be.
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith. “1 Peter 5:8-9
God, indeed, tempts no one. In fact He promises to be with us and guard us in the midst of temptation. He will also provide a way through and out of temptation.
“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 (emphasis mine)
I would suggest when we pray, “Do not lead us into temptation” we lean in more closely to God the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. We acknowledge we need help to not be distracted by the world around us or the thoughts that would keep us from an intimate relationship with the One who created us, redeems us, and is at work in our lives.
When we pray, “Do not lead us into temptation” we declare that we cannot live life without the strength given to us by God.
Relying on God is just where He likes us to be.