This is the Truth Network. Encouraging prayer. God offers an open invitation for his people to talk with him at any time about anything. On Encouraging Prayer, Dr. James Banks, author of the best-selling Prayers for Prodigals and many other books on prayer, provides weekly biblical insight to help you learn to love to pray.
And now, here's James. Oh, you're going to be thankful you tuned in today, this early in the year. As today, on encouraging prayer, we're going to talk about how prayer can actually help us stay out of situations we would normally be tempted. To sin. And of course, you know, a lot of New Year's resolutions on, you know, how you eat or tempted not to go to the gym, as the case may be.
We need some help, James. This is where it goes deeper, right? I mean, this is not just about staying away from food. This is This is about the things that try our souls, if you will. you know, uh a a reminder on a sad note of of of the need for this is, of course, Philip Yancey's recent admission of an affair that had been going on for eight years.
And he'd been married for 55 years. And you look at a situation like that, someone who has had a leadership role. in the church and he did the right thing. He came forward. And confessed it.
And so I'm not wanting to be judgmental of him. I'm so glad that he came forward. But at the same time, you wonder How did it happen? How did he get there in the first place? And Yeah.
You know, the the truth is that any of us Can end up in situations where we never thought we would. And and That is why we really do have to pray. I was reading again, I mentioned George MacDonald all the time, and I've been reading his book. Thomas Wingfold curate recently. And He has this line in it.
He says, There are men. who will never see what they are capable or in danger of, until they have committed Some fearful. Wrong. And you think about that. Hasn't that happened?
you know, where suddenly you find yourself sinning. And you realize I never thought I would do that. Oh, yeah, yeah. I love the way C.S. Lewis puts it that you get a whiff of your inner cesspool.
Yeah. Yeah. Oh my. Uh uh and just as he actually says that It gives us a dose of the humility that we kind of is the basis to me. Uh oh.
you know, Daddy, how bad I need you, because I didn't realize that how Destitute I really am. Right, right. That's the thing that I think only the Holy Spirit can show us. And that is the depth of our own depravity, the things that we are capable of. And it doesn't matter if you have been a Christian for decades, if you've been a writer, if you've been a pastor.
n none of these things. If you if you don't think you're capable Of some grievous sin? Then really you don't know Yeah. The depth of depravity of the human heart, right? Yeah, it's it is um Never ceases to amaze me how easily.
Um we can fall and how You know, again, as we talk about every week, that relationship with God, where are we leaning? Where are we going to? In that moment. Um Right. When w when we start to feel the bottom fall out from underneath.
Well, and that's where our sure and best defense is prayer, because when we pray, We're immediately opening the door to that relationship with God. You know, i it's it's that moment before you give in. Where if you can pray, Lord, have mercy on me, Lord, help me in this. then there's so much room For for transp transformation in that moment to keep us out of whatever grievous evil we may be considering. And This is where Again, it's an overlooked.
part of a prayer that we know very well. And that is Lead us not into temptation. but deliver us from evil.
Well, the deliver us from evil part we understand, but the lead us not into temptation. What does that mean? You're saying to God, Don't tempt me.
Well, no, that's not what Jesus is teaching. Uh Jesus is basically saying, Lord, Keep me from situations Where I would be so weak That I would give in. And maybe I'd be so weak that I don't even know it.
So lead us not into temptation, you know, it's very important prayer. Yeah, I I I actually sometimes When I pray that, I even add a little to it and say, Lord, don't lead me any place Why I don't know you're right there with me. Right. Yeah, I I think that's so good. Because Uh again Um You know, sometimes you can get into a situation where You think you're just fine, and then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, here comes this circumstance and And you think, oh, why is my heart so torn?
in this matter. And that's precisely the point where we have to let Jesus in again. I mean, he's in already. He's right there with us, you know, through his Spirit. But we have to turn to Him to get the help we need.
Oh man, I I'll tell you. Yeah. Seven You know the the the really sad note. Is having been on the wrong side of that decision too many times. You're almost like, no, God, I you know.
I know I should have But I don't want to now. Right. You had a few moments where you wanted to. And you didn't take advantage. I'm not talking about you, I'm talking about me, right?
I had a few. moments I wanted to. But then a few moments later I didn't want to anymore. Right. No, I'm right there with you.
And this is where Again, we we have to, as scripture says, guard our hearts. And Jesus teaching us, you know, to pray Lead me not into temptation. I mean means giving God Control over that place because God knows us better than we know ourselves. And you have to wonder what kind of situations has he kept us out of From praying that prayer. Let's do it.
Father, you know. You know how we struggle, you know how much we need you, and you know that we don't know how much we need you.
So, Abba, Father, we ask that you would help us and just bless us. Uh Lord, keep us, Father, from From temptation and help us to turn to you the moment it occurs. In Jesus' name. Amen. Amen.
You can hear more from Pastor James by visiting his website, jamesbanks.org, or by visiting Peace Church in Durham, North Carolina. May God bless you and encourage you as you pray.
