A Prayer About Crouching Sin And Temptability

Whenever you recognize that sin is encroaching on you and that you are prone to temptation, that is actually a good thing because you are at least aware of it. However, awareness alone does not keep you from sin; you should also be wise enough to take action so you don’t fall into sin. If you are in a situation where the temptation is there, and sin is lurking around, the wisest thing to do is to go somewhere else. We have to do everything we can not to sin. That is how we apply wisdom, which is rooted in the fear of the LORD. In the end, what drives us not to sin and to stay away from temptation is our reverence before God.

Father in heaven, as I see that sin is encroaching on me and tempting me, may my heart be consumed with reverence before You. Give me the strength to avoid sin—not because I have to but with the motivation of pursuing purity out of my love and affection for You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

What Does the Bible Say When We Feel Like Sin, and Temptation Are Encroaching?

First, whatever circumstance you find yourself in, the temptation you see and feel does not come from God, as is written in James 1:13-14. Most especially, God is not the author of sin. Whenever we fall because of temptation, it is our responsibility and choice. Also, it is important to note that whenever temptations come into our lives, they are never something we cannot say “no” to (1 Corinthians 10:13  No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And 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 so that you can endure it.). That is a powerful truth that tells us that whatever temptation we encounter in our lives, the fact that we encounter it means that we can choose to say “no” to it.

Titus 2:11-12 also gives us an empowering truth about sin and temptation. In verse 11, the apostle Paul writes to Titus that the grace of God didn’t just appear for us to be saved from sin. Whenever we talk about God’s grace, the common conception we Christians have in mind is the Gospel of Christ. God’s coming down here on earth in the person of Christ, living the life we should have lived, dying the death we should have died, being resurrected, and offering eternal life to those who repent and believe is, indeed, something that we sinners never deserved.

However, grace goes beyond just the Gospel. Grace is also what enables us to live a pure and holy life. It is grace that causes us to will and to work for God’s good pleasure (Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.). That is why the apostle Paul exhorts in Titus 2:11-12 that the grace of God didn’t just appear to bring salvation to mankind. It also appeared to give us the ability to say “no” to sin, renouncing ungodliness and worldly passions and instead living godly, upright, and self-controlled lives.

For the apostle Paul, the word “self-control” is a very fitting word, given the context of the verse. Whether you are angry and you are tempted to sin out of anger, or you are frustrated and tempted to go to sin for comfort, you can choose not to be driven by such earthly tendencies. Instead, we can exercise self-control. By our own strength, this is indeed a very hard thing to do. That is precisely why the apostle Paul points out that it is through God’s grace at work in us that we can say “no” to sin and live in godliness and self-control.

How Do I Pray When Tempted?

Given the brief exhortation in Titus 2:11-12, one of the best ways to pray whenever you are tempted to sin or you feel that sin is encroaching on you is to ask God for the grace to say “no” to it and respond by exercising self-control and choosing to do that which is godly and upright. You can refer to other Bible verses when it comes to doing what is good. It can be praying for the grace to put to death what is earthly in you (Colossians 3:5), the grace not to be conformed to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.), or the grace to live a life that glorifies God (Matthew 5:16).

Father in heaven, I am tempted to do something sinful and dishonorable in Your eyes. With my strength, I cannot fight this. However, I know that I am victorious in Christ, set free from the bondage of sin, and able to ask for the grace to refuse sin. Help me, empower me, and give me the grace to do only what is pleasing in Your sight and to pursue only what is holy. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

We can always come before God’s throne to ask Him for the grace and mercy we need (Hebrews 4:16  Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.). Part of our Christian life is fighting off temptation and living in holiness. However, we should remember that we are not doing that through our strength, and we are perfected not by the flesh but by faith. We are to live our Christian life and do what the will of God is through Christ, Who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).