When we pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” we’re asking for rescue. The imagery behind this request is powerful—like a soldier rushing to save a comrade or someone diving into raging waters to pull us to safety.

Jesus connects forgiveness to temptation in the Lord’s Prayer for a reason. Forgiveness clears the slate, renews our intimacy with God, and helps us resist temptation. When we forgive, we reflect the Father’s heart and live in the freedom Jesus died to give us.

God taught me about prayer through intimate conversations. He showed me how to accept “daily bread” as He defines it, not based on my struggles or pain. His goodness defined my need, bringing comfort and trust.

Jesus tells us to forgive everyone—yes, everyone—who owes us or has failed us. This isn’t optional; it’s how we live as sons and daughters of the King.

Do you know what I love about the phrase, “Lord, teach us to pray”? It shows the disciples’ trust in Jesus’ ability to guide them into deeper intimacy with God. They knew Jesus wouldn’t ignore their request. Instead, He answered with intentionality and love because of the deep relationship He shared with them.

Failure can shake our sense of purpose and leave us feeling adrift. However, God uses our failures to refine our purpose and draw us closer to Him. Through failures, we discover deeper meaning and direction in life.

Resilience is the key to recovering from failures. It’s about refusing to let setbacks define who we are. Instead, we can use them as steppingstones to build greater strength and character.

Failures can leave us feeling regret, worry, shame, or even judgment, but the good news is that they don’t have to define us.

Even in failure, God has a greater purpose at work. It assures us that He is sovereign over all things, and that He uses even our failures and setbacks to shape us into His image.

Overcoming failure begins with knowing and believing that failure is not the end; it’s an opportunity for growth. When we face setbacks, it’s easy to feel defeated and discouraged. But I think failure is permission to try again, to learn, and to grow stronger. Our failures don't define how God sees us.