“And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

In researching this passage I learned something new also. First of all it would be impossible for God to lead us into temptation. He is not evil so how could someone who knows no evil lead us into temptation?

The proper translation of temptation in this passage is the word “trial.” But wait a minute doesn’t it say in James that we are to count it all joy when we encounter a trial? Yes, it does but in this instance it is takes into account that trials can either break us or make us stronger.

We are not to seek out difficulties nor wish them upon ourselves and we are to pray that God would shield us from trials. If we do encounter some, we are to pray that His will be done and not the will of the devil.

So it is not selfish to pray for a good day or one which does not present complications. Yet if complications do occur it is important that they be handled in a God-like manner. Easy to say but hard to accomplish at times.