How to Pray When You Don’t Know What to Say: A Simple Framework (Part 3)
- Bob Hayes
- Nov 18
- 7 min read
In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, we’ve been exploring Jesus’ model prayer—what many call “The Lord’s Prayer” or “Our Father.” We’ve walked through approaching God with intimacy, asking for daily provision, and the hard work of forgiveness.
Now we come to the final piece of this framework:
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
Here’s the full prayer one more time:
“Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
“Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:9-13, NIV).
If you’ve ever felt like you keep falling into the same patterns, making the same mistakes, getting knocked off track by the same struggles—this part of the prayer is for you.
Because here’s what Jesus is acknowledging: You need help. And that’s not a weakness—it’s wisdom.
The Honest Admission: “I Can’t Do This Alone”
Jesus doesn’t tell us to “try harder” or “just have more willpower.” Instead, he invites us to acknowledge our vulnerability and live in His strength.
“Lead us not into temptation” is essentially saying: “God, I know where I’m weak. So, you lead me today.”
What Does “Temptation” Even Mean?
Temptation is anything that pulls you away from living in alignment with God’s ways—anything that draws you toward damaging yourself, damaging others, or damaging your connection with God.
Think about it practically:
The urge to lash out at your spouse when you’re hurt
The pull to numb your pain with substances, work, or endless scrolling
The voice that says “You’re not good enough” or “It’s too late to change”
An Important Clarification
The wording “lead us not into temptation” can sound odd—like God might lead you into temptation if you don’t ask Him not to.
Let’s be clear: God doesn’t tempt anyone. Scripture is explicit: “When tempted, no one should say, ’God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone” (James 1:13).
This phrase is a request for divine navigation—asking God to guide you along paths that help you avoid unnecessary pitfalls.
Think About This: Where are you trying to resist temptation in your own strength instead of asking for God’s help?
The God Who Guides You Through
Here’s where we see something beautiful about God’s character: God doesn’t just remove all challenges from your path. Sometimes He walks with you through them.
Jesus himself faced temptation. After his baptism, he spent 40 days in the wilderness being tempted. The writer of Hebrews says: “We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15, NIV).
What This Reveals About God:
God understands struggle. He’s not distant or disgusted by your battles. Jesus lived them.
God provides a way through. You can “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that you may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, NIV).
God promises provision. Paul wrote: “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV).
Think About This: Can you think of a time when God provided “a way out” of a tempting situation?
Practical Ways to Pray This
1. Start Your Day With Awareness
Instead of stumbling into your day on autopilot, pray: “God, you know where I’m weakest today. Guide me along paths that lead toward love, peace, and wholeness.”
Examples:
Before a tense meeting: “God, help me respond with patience instead of defensiveness.”
Struggling with spending: “God, guide my choices today to align with financial health.”
Difficult relationship: “God, help me see this person through your eyes.”
2. Don’t Make Provisions for Failure
Paul said: “Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires” (Romans 13:14). If you know you struggle with something, don’t set yourself up for failure.
Examples:
Avoiding pornography? Install blocking software and have someone else hold the password
Eating healthier? Don’t keep junk food in the house
Working on your temper? Identify triggers and develop a plan beforehand
This isn’t about perfection—it’s about wisdom.
Practice This: Name one area where you’re vulnerable. What’s one practical step you can take to avoid unnecessary temptation?
“Deliver Us From Evil”—There’s a Real Enemy
The prayer ends with: “Deliver us from evil” or “deliver us from the evil one.”
This acknowledges there are forces working against your wellbeing.
Jesus talked about an enemy who actively works to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10, NIV). Whether you think of this as a literal being or as destructive forces in the world, the point is the same: there are influences that want to knock you off track.
These include:
Internal voices: Shame, self-hatred, destructive thought patterns
External pressures: Toxic relationships, cultural messages that contradict love
Spiritual opposition: Forces that work to separate you from God’s love
Paul wrote: “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV).
God is your protector. Jesus prayed: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one” (John 17:15, NIV).
A Specific Example: The Battle for Forgiveness
When someone has hurt you deeply, there’s a voice that says: “Don’t forgive them—remember what they did.”
That voice is the enemy trying to keep you trapped in bitterness.
When you pray “deliver us from evil,” you’re asking God to break through those lies and empower you to forgive—not because the other person deserves it, but because you deserve to be free.
Think About This: What “voice” do you hear most often that pulls you away from God?
The Power You Need Is Available
Here’s the beautiful truth: You’re not expected to resist temptation and overcome evil in your own strength.
Jesus said, “Without me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NIV). That’s actually the most liberating truth you’ll ever hear. You can stop trying to be strong enough, disciplined enough, or good enough on your own.
When you connect with God daily, you’re receiving spiritual nourishment—the strength, wisdom, and empowerment to live differently.
You can’t forgive in your own power—but you can receive God’s power to forgive
You can’t resist every temptation through willpower—but you can find strength in the moment of need
You can’t overcome destructive patterns alone—but you can invite God to transform you from the inside out
Before Jesus went to the cross, he promised: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17, NIV).
When you follow Jesus, you’re receiving the actual presence of God with you—guiding, empowering, protecting. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to help you become fully human—living the life of love you were designed for.
Checklist: 3 Ways to Access God’s Strength Today
☐ Start your morning in conversation with God (even 5 minutes)
☐ When you face temptation, pause and pray—“God, I need your strength right now”
☐ At the end of the day, reflect with gratitude
The Appeal: Don’t Walk This Road Alone
You don’t have to figure this out on your own.
Prayer is about connection with a God who knows your weaknesses, walks with you through struggles, provides strength when you have none left, and never gives up on you.
What Taking the Next Step Looks Like:
1. Start a conversation with God today.
“God, I don’t know if I’m doing this right, but I need help. Lead me. Protect me. Give me strength to live differently.”
2. Identify your biggest area of struggle.
Where do you most often fall off track? Name it. Bring it into your conversation with God.
3. Make one practical change.
What’s one “provision for the flesh” you can remove? What’s one wise decision you can make?
4. Connect with community.
Find people who are also learning to live a love-shaped life—whether a local faith community, our Loveshaped life community, or a spiritual wellness coach.
A Word for the Skeptic:
Maybe you’re thinking, “I’m not sure I believe in all this God stuff.”
What if you just tried it?
For one week, start your mornings with: “God—if you’re there—I could use some help today. Guide me. Protect me. Show me you’re real.”
You’re not signing a contract. You’re just opening the door to possibility.
God meets people where they are. Even in doubt. Even in skepticism. Even in the mess.
Bringing It All Together
Here’s the full framework one more time:
Our Father in heaven — You’re invited into intimate relationship
Hallowed be Your name — God’s true character deserves to be known
Your kingdom come, Your will be done — God’s way of love taking root in your life
Give us today our daily bread — God cares about your practical and spiritual needs
Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors — The cycle of receiving and extending grace
Lead us not into temptation — God guides you along life-giving paths
Deliver us from evil — God protects you from destructive forces
This Is a Framework, Not a Formula
The point is the rhythm:
Connect with God personally
Align your heart with God’s character and purposes
Bring your real needs
Deal with your relational health
Ask for guidance and protection
This is the shape of a conversation with God that transforms how you live.
Final Thought: The Journey Is Worth It
Following Jesus isn’t about becoming perfect. It’s about becoming whole.
It’s about waking up each day and knowing you’re not facing life alone. It’s about having access to strength beyond your own. It’s about gradually being transformed into someone who loves better, forgives more freely, and lives with greater peace.
So take the next step. Start the conversation. Ask for help.
You don’t have to know what to say. You just have to show up.
Join the Conversation: What’s the hardest part of forgiveness for you—receiving it or giving it? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.
Loveshaped Life is crowd funded: a huge
“Thank you!” to all of our generous supporters!
If this resonated with you, share it with a friend.
Comments