The Lord's Prayer
Q42. What does this mean?
God tempts no one. But we pray that God would protect us so that the devil, the world, and our own sinful nature do not trick us into losing our faith, falling into despair, or doing other terrible things. And even when we are tempted, we pray that we would stand strong and win in the end.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
James 1:13–14
1 Peter 5:8–9
1 Corinthians 10:13
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Galatians 5:17
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
What three enemies does the catechism say try to pull us away from faith?
- 2
What does it mean to "stand strong and win in the end" against temptation?
- 3
Has there been a time when you were tempted but made the right choice?
Illustration
In a tug-of-war, three people on the other side of the rope are pulling hard: the devil, the world, and your own sinful heart. You cannot win that pull on your own. But God grabs the rope behind you and holds. When you pray this petition, you are asking the strongest one in the contest to keep pulling for you.
Application
Talk with a parent about one temptation that feels hard right now. Together, pick a Bible verse to memorize that speaks to that struggle. When the temptation comes, say the verse out loud. God fights for you through his Word.
Read Luther’s expanded teaching
From the Large Catechism (1529)