S: And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. (Luke 4:1, 2 ESV)
O: Jesus, coming off of the pinnacle of baptism and filling of the Holy Spirit, walks strait into the path of temptation. No hiding, no whining... Simply utter dependance upon God.
A: That we would understand the implications of Christ's example. Surprisingly we expect that the closer we get to God, the easier the path will become. In fact the opposite is true. Finding God, finding new life and being filled with His Spirit is a sure path to temptation, trials and challenges. The goal is not to avoid the difficulty, but rather to embrace the challenge, knowing that through it God is growing and shaping us into who He would have us to be. Preparing us for active duty in His plan.
P: Heavenly Father... Give me the strength to endure. To run well. To depend on you. To face temptation and trials with courage and discipline. To not whine or complain. To set up healthy boundaries and accountability.. To depend on you and your wisdom. Protect me from the evil one, shape me into your image. Remove my doubts and fears.
