I heard an interesting voice in my head the other evening as I was saying the Lord’s Prayer. I have been saying this prayer every day since I learned it when I was a child. For some reason, as I got to the verse Lead us not into temptation, something inside me asked why do I think the Lord would lead me into temptation. I feel it was the Holy Spirit asking me that question. Ever since that night, I can no longer say that verse, instead, I have changed it to Protect us from Temptation. Is it just me, or does it seem odd to ask God not to lead us into temptation, when that is the last thing he would ever do?
Jesus used this prayer in answer to the disciples’ request, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). That means that it’s OK to use the words He gave them.
Some believe the phrase “lead us not into temptation” really means that we’re asking God to not let us be tested, which is the primary meaning of the Greek word for temptation. James 2:13 seems to agree, saying,“God cannot be tempted, nor does He tempt anyone.”