June 25, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer - 6th Petition

Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 31:10-31; John 21:1-25

And lead us not into temptation. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Prayer is chiefly for comfort. It is not a way to barter with God for what we want, like a cosmic vending machine. It is a Gift our Heavenly Father gives to us to be a balm in a hurting world. When we pray the words Jesus gave us, they are meant to remind us of God’s many promises. The words, “lead us not into temptation,” are not merely a request. They are a repeating back of God’s promise, but not because He’s forgotten you. God does not need a reminder, but you and I do. Praying the same words day after day is to remind you, dear Christian, that God has already promised and granted these things. He sees you, knows you, and hears you. So pray the Lord’s Prayer, not because it is the only way to get God’s attention, but because He gave us prayer that we might cling to the promises therein, as dear children go to their dear father for comfort.

The Sixth Petition is about our ongoing struggle with sin—sin we have inherited from Adam and Eve. The truth is, we cannot evade temptation because of our sinful nature. Apart from God, we are naked and vulnerable to the assaults of the devil, the world, and our own flesh. Without the Lord, we fail each and every time. So as God’s people, we flee to Him for protection. Luther’s explanation is clear: God tempts no one. But He doesn’t simply watch us blindly stumble in the dark, either. Instead, God gives us guard and protection: Christ Jesus. Jesus was tempted just as you and I are, but He did not falter. Having kept the law perfectly, He suffered, died, and rose from the dead to impart His perfection to you. In Baptism, you were washed clean and were given robes of righteousness. So when you are tempted, you lean on Jesus and His saving work. And when you fall into temptation, you may receive the forgiveness won for you and freely given to sinners. We pray that God leads us not into temptation but rather to the great victory that is ours in Christ, our Lord, because He has already promised to do so. And there is our comfort.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Transcendent Comfort in our every need, help us neither scorn nor death to heed that we may not falter nor courage fail us when the foe shall taunt and assail us. Lord, have mercy! (LSB 768:3)

Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.