August 19, 2026 · David Farmer
The Temptation Shield
“And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.””
Luke 22:39-46 →
## Married to God
I think it’s safe to say it was Jesus’ usual habit to pray often. It seemed this was a pure necessity in His life, especially in light of His reaction on the cross to being separated from His Father for even a short time. As we’ve spoken just recently in the Two Spies podcast about the Church, we discovered many correlations in the Bible to marriage between a man and a woman actually being meant to explain the intimate closeness God desires with us. Paul says marriage is specifically to teach us about relationship to God. Is this what Jesus had with the Father? It appears Jesus is so close in His mind to the Father, He was basically “married” to God, and prayer is Their connection.
## The Prayer Shield
In this section about Jesus praying, we see Him telling His disciples to pray, and He attaches a clause to the command both times; so “that you may not enter into temptation”. The specific temptation that may come their way isn’t named for us, but it appears something big is coming!
Or is it similar to His time on the cross? While He is gone after His death and before the Holy Spirit has come, they will be left for a time with no presence of God among them. Therefore, Jesus is stressing to them to make their own relationship with the Father through prayer... “Start praying for yourselves guys. Do it for you.” God Himself, and His presence with us, is like a “Temptation Shield”. The Lord told Abram, “Fear not. I am your shield” (Genesis 15:1). Moses called Him the “Shield of our help” (Deuteronomy 33:29). Psalm 18:30 “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”
## Self-Check
Often when we fall to temptation, we draw back from God. Well, it works both ways. When we fall into God, we draw back from our temptations. Opportunities to choose to follow temptations come every other minute all day. Rise and pray for yourself. Stand closer to God and you will be more distant from falling to your temptations.
## The Healer of Our Soul