United Methodist Church of Livonia, NY

Sermon Starter - The Lord's Prayer Series #5

LEAD US... DELIVER US

Matthew 6:9-13
James 1:14-15
Ephesians 6:11

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.  
What does this mean, and why is it so important for us? Ask yourself, is the comma in the correct place?

Every single one of us is tempted, all the time.  It is just a regular part of life.  It is part of the human condition which is why Jesus said in the Lord’s Prayer, Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  So this prayer is meant to be a part of the rhythm of our daily lives.

Martin Luther is reported to have said one part of the Lord’s Prayer in the morning and another part at night.  The portion he said at night was “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” because the recognized that throughout the day he had fallen short, missed the mark.  The part he prayed in the morning?  Lead us not into temptation.  But deliver us from evil.  Asking for forgiveness and for God to lead us on the right path are meant to be the pattern for living.  

Watch/listen to the August 8, 2021 message: "Lead Us . . . Deliver Us"

Pastor Hoyt