Under many things we cannot bear.
There are very many temptations that each of us may be predisposed to falling
into. Moral weakness is the human trait. This is why Jesus included such a
concern in his Lord’s Prayer:
“And do not
bring us into temptation,
but rescue us
from the evil one.”
~Matthew 6:13 (NRSV)
It is every semblance of ignorant
pride that has us situated with no fear for what might tempt us. No, we can be
ever tempted into all manner of sin from misdemeanour to malevolence to monstrosity.
People, who have no fear for
entrapment, living life with an outlook of moral abandon, are those who live
life exposed to their own character assassination. And we wonder, ‘Why is it
they last so long?’ It defies our more contrite approach.
Yet, they who are not watchful of
temptation may generally be drawn to it, allured in some way in their least
expected moment.
The Prayer Of Protection
Asking God for the awareness of
temptation and the strength to bear temptation’s lure is the wisdom of humility.
There’s nothing wrong with our moral weakness if we can admit it and rest,
then, upon God’s power.
Many people are fooled into
shrinking from their moral weaknesses. They think admitting substance, sexual,
and power weaknesses make them ripe for shame. But the opposite is at play. There
is only shame in not admitting our weakness. Where fear holds sway our
weaknesses threaten to overthrow us. There is, however, acclamation and
approval, in God’s sight, for the person that admits their weakness, availing
for themselves Divine protection.
The prayer of protection, which is
the prayer to bear in the midst of temptation, ensures that God knows our need.
That need also needs to be shared with someone we trust—someone in the position
to help us. There is real truth in the saying, a problem shared is a problem
halved.
And when we confess our weaknesses
before those we trust, as God is also our witness, we hear ourselves communicate, and it becomes a truth we can
and do no longer deny. Too often temptations draw us into sin because we deny
their truth and their power. When we confess our weaknesses, the temptation’s
power mysteriously, and paradoxically, evaporates.
Before the truth, Satan cannot
stand.
***
The prayer to bear is seeking
God’s help in the midst of any sized trial.
In acknowledging weakness we gain
strength. The prayer to bear states our full recognition of our weakness,
seeking Divine help to remain aware and to receive protection. Before the
truth, Satan cannot stand.
© 2012 S. J. Wickham.
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