Twenty-seventh Day
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. — Matt. vi. 13.
WE do not say ‘ Lead us not into temptation' merely to escape yielding to the temptation, but to prevent its coming to us, according to the injunction: 'Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation.' [1] We must fear the ' entering in,' as well as the falling.
These words set forth the necessity for praying at all times: — both when need is actually pressing, and before it presses. Never wait for the temptation to come, for then trouble and anxiety of mind will hinder your praying properly. Pray before the temptation, and so forestall the enemy. God ' tempteth no man,' [2] says St James. Hence, when we say ‘ lead us not into temptation' we must clearly understand it to mean ' Do not let us enter into it. ' This is
