Chapter 9. Praying When Entering Into Temptation Is A Proof Of Grace
CHAPTER 9.
PRAYING WHEN ENTERING INTO TEMPTATION
IS A PROOF OF GRACE
This is why our Heavenly Master also says: “Watch and pray, that you do not enter into temptation.”Mat 26.41 Let every man, therefore, when fighting against his own concupiscence, pray that he enter not into temptation; that is, that he be not drawn aside and enticed by it. But he does not enter into temptation if he conquers his evil concupiscence by good will. And yet the determination of the human will is insufficient, unless the Lord grants it victory in answer to prayer, that it not enter into temptation. What indeed affords clearer evidence of the grace of God, than the acceptance of prayer in any petition? If our Saviour had only said, “Watch that you do not enter into temptation,” He would appear to have done nothing further than admonish man’s will; but since He added the words, “and pray,” He showed that God helps us not to enter into temptation. It is to the free will of man that the words are addressed: “My son, do not remove yourself from the chastening of the Lord.”Prov 3.11 And the Lord said: “I have prayed for you, Peter, that your faith does not fail.”Luk 22.32 So that a man is assisted by grace, in order that his will may not be uselessly commanded.