[CYM] 49.0 Pray Not to Fall into Temptation

Yeshua repeatedly commanded His disciples to pray for strength against temptation, recognizing the spiritual weakness of humanity and the need for constant dependence on God.

In Luke 22:40, as Yeshua enters the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His arrest, He tells His disciples:

Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
Later in verse 46, after finding them sleeping, He repeats the warning:

Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

This command highlights the urgency and vulnerability of the moment, as Yeshua knows both the physical danger and the spiritual warfare ahead. He instructs them to remain alert and prayerful, not trusting their own strength.

Similarly, in Matthew 26:41 and Mark 14:38, Yeshua says:

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

These verses reflect Yeshua’ compassion—He understands human weakness, yet still calls His followers to be spiritually vigilant.

Earlier in the Model Prayer (Matthew 6:13; Luke 11:4), Yeshua teaches:

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

This daily prayer acknowledges dependence on God for moral and spiritual preservation.

Though John’s Gospel does not record this specific command, it emphasizes spiritual protection through Yeshua’s prayer in John 17:15:

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Across the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Yeshua commands consistent, humble prayer as the primary defense against temptation, calling His disciples to stay spiritually awake and dependent on God’s help.