Matthew 6:13 And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.
Luke 11:4 And do not bring us to the time of trial.
Most Christians, if you ask them what this means have no idea. And yet they pray it every Sunday without thinking. I think the best way to explain what it means is to jump ahead and tell the part of the story of Jesus right before he was arrested, tried, and crucified...
On the night that Jesus would be arrested, "Jesus went with the disciples to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me." And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want." Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:36-41).
Jesus knows what his followers are made of... a willing spirit, but weak flesh. We want to follow him, but it requires supernatural power - supernatural love - supernatural forgiveness - supernatural courage - supernatural faith. Jesus is well aware of the intense emotional and physical pain that he and the disciples are facing in the next hours. Jesus knows there will be defections - Judas will be first - Peter is a close second. They are going to wish they had not signed up to follow Jesus. Jesus tells them to pray that they will not face this trial because they aren't going to make it through unscathed... "Do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one"... unless the supernatural power of God intervenes.
But Jesus also shows them an example of how one prays this prayer and faces the trial not allowing the evil one to win... "Again Jesus went away for the second time and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand." While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him." At once he came up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you are here to do." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him" (Matthew 26:42-50). Hours later Jesus died on the cross.
Ask God for protection - for supernatural power that will help you stand firm and resist giving into the evil one. There is no other way to overcome the trials in our lives.
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