A Prayer Against Temptation: Words for When It Hits
A prayer against temptation is short, honest and said right when the pull comes: “Lord, I’m being tempted right now. I don’t want to give in. Show me the way out You promised, and give me the strength to take it. Amen.” Temptation is strongest in the first few minutes. A prayer said early, followed by one step away, is often enough to get through.
The promise behind the prayer
God doesn’t promise you won’t be tempted. He promises you won’t face anything without a way through it.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
When you pray against temptation, you’re asking God to keep that promise, and asking for eyes to see the door.
A prayer against sin and temptation
“Father, You know how weak I am in this. I’ve given in before, and part of me wants to give in now. I don’t want that part to win. Lead me not into temptation, and deliver me from evil. Jesus, You were tempted in every way and didn’t sin. Stand with me. Holy Spirit, give me self-control I don’t have on my own. Show me where the exit is, and make me willing to walk through it. Turn my mind to what is true and good. Thank You that You don’t give up on me. Amen.”
Jesus taught us to pray these very words, and they belong in every prayer against temptation.
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
A prayer for protection against temptation
Pray this in the morning, before the pull comes.
“Lord, guard me today. Guard my eyes, my thoughts and my steps. Keep me away from the places and people that make it easy to fall. If I’m tempted, remind me who I belong to. Amen.”
Prayer points against temptation
If you like to pray through a list, use these:
- Name it. Tell God exactly what’s tempting you. Vague prayers are easy to ignore.
- Ask for a way out. Claim the promise of 1 Corinthians 10:13.
- Ask for a new desire. Not just “take this away,” but “give me something better to want.”
- Ask for help from people. Pray that you’ll have the humility to call someone.
- Ask for wisdom. Which situations should you simply avoid for now?
- Thank God. For every time He has already brought you through.
Prayer works with action
Prayer is not a magic word that replaces good sense. Joseph didn’t pray in the room with Potiphar’s wife. He ran. Sometimes the answer to your prayer is to leave the room, close the app, drive past the store, or hand your keys to someone else. Then keep praying.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Whether the pull is drink, lust, anger or something else, the pattern is the same: pray, move, tell someone. If it’s alcohol, also read what to do when a craving hits. If you gave in, go to the prayer after a relapse.
Something to do today
Think of the place or time you’re most often tempted. Decide now what you’ll do there instead, and who you’ll text. Write the short prayer at the top of this page on a card and keep it with you.
Common questions
Is being tempted a sin?
No. Jesus Himself was tempted and never sinned. Temptation is the pull. Sin is giving in to it. Feeling the pull means you're human, not that you've failed.
Is prayer our only weapon against temptation?
Prayer is the first one, but God gives others too: Scripture, other believers, distance from the thing that tempts you, and plain good sense like sleep and food. Use all of them together.
Is there a Catholic prayer against temptation?
Catholics often pray the Our Father, which asks God to lead us not into temptation, and the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel for protection. Confession is also a strong help. The prayer on this page fits any Christian tradition.
What if I keep giving in to the same temptation?
Tell someone. Repeated sin loves secrecy. Confess it to God, then to a trusted person, and make a plan together for the next time. God's mercy doesn't run out on the tenth time.
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