PRAYER AGAINST TEMPTATION.
By Margaret M. Stringer
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation,” was the command given by our blessed Lord as he was about to go away. And the prayer taught his disciples was, “Lead us not into temptation.” “Pray that ye enter not into temptation,” Into temptation; there is where the stress lies. After offering the above prayer, can a candid soul go forth to life and enter thoughtlessly into the very evils he has prayed to be delivered from? Can he enter the whiskey saloon and take a social glass without being conscious that he is entering into temptation? Can he enter the ball-room even to witness the recreation of others without knowing he is in the way of temptation? Can he sit down to chat over his brother’s faults, or take a solitary chew of tobacco, or a cup of tea, without the same consciousness? I think not. Then let us act with consistency. Let us carry the effect of this prayer into our daily actions and we shall not be guilty of so many violations of the law of God. MARGARET M. STRINGER.