The Lord′s Prayer, Sandals Off: God Does Not Lead Us Into Temptation

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“... Only a prompt revision is proper and respectful for words presented before God. ...″

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     All Christians of whatever denomination should maintain awareness when stating part of the Lord′s Prayer (the Our Father), “and lead us not into temptation,″, that God does not lead us into temptation. Please first see footnote one below, then a National Catholic Register article discussing accurate wording, National Catholic Register: No, Pope Francis Is Not Changing the Lord′s Prayer. The preexisting wording has a clear implicit error, ruled out clear in Sacred Scripture though not spelled out for you.

     Far before it became a voluntary revision of personal prayer for U.S. Catholics, many had questioned the wording (it did not yet become an official part of their liturgical group prayer, footnote 2, contrary to, e.g., Italy). Although the status quo was unintentional, maintaining it provides a sense of aspersion to God with every passing day. A revision consistent with His expressed intention, inevitably accepted by all, should be prompt.

     Only a prompt revision is proper and respectful for words presented before God. Sandals off, the wording I adopted is: and do not let us fall into temptation(,). Hopefully, all Christians realize the value of proper respect before God rather than a now convenient custom in error, again, in error. We should adopt new wording with aspirational perfection in mind and yes, sandals off too, most proper before Him with respect using every word (primarily in not using, lead, and into). Please see footnote three below.

     Already knowing our flaws require correction before God, with what is known today, not revising our wording is imprudent, if not improper lax concern. Realistically involved are words we truly intend being presented before God. Is this intention real, and if so, how much do you believe it is not exerting minimal effort? The preexisting wording has a clear implicit error. How can it be wrong, being on the respectful, safe side, proper? We should try our best.      

     May God bless you.

Sincerely in Christ,   /L.S., Frank Lawrence, Sr./

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Footnotes & Endnote

Footnote 1. All Christians have adhering reliance on what they consider Sacred Scripture and perhaps a secondary authority of choice, with a National Catholic Register article only receiving consideration. The first two links that follow are a source of adhering reliance for all; when others are not, they likely are worth consideration: James 1:13-17, NAB-RE, James, chapter 1; 1 Corinthians 10:13, NAB-RE, 1 Corinthians, chapter 10; Sirach 15:11-20, NAB-RE, Sirach, chapter 15; the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 2846-2849, Catechism of the Catholic Church. For more on the free will of man, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 311, Catechism of the Catholic Church; Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 1730, Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Footnote 2. See, e.g., an unofficial, unjustifiable reason it has not yet become an official part of liturgical group prayer for U.S. Catholics, A 10-Point Primer on the Lord′s Prayer Changes, National Catholic Register, Jimmy Akin Blog. In general, it is because the preexisting wording is, deeply ingrained in Anglophone Catholic culture, and the workload this will create. It should not be presumed to reach the merits of everything stated here, and again, it is unofficial.

Footnote 3. God will lead us out of temptation through prayer but never leads us into temptation. See, e.g., a source of adhering reliance for all (from footnote one above), 1 Corinthians 10:13, NAB-RE, 1 Corinthians, chapter 10, with the other source relied on by all, James 1:13-17, NAB-RE, James, chapter 1. Also, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 2848-2849, Catechism of the Catholic Church. Consider the New York Post, Here′s Pope Francis′ big change to the 'Our Father′; World | News | Express.co.uk, Pope Francis: Lord′s Prayer to CHANGE as it implies God 'induces temptation′; USA Today, Our Father: Pope Francis approves changes to words of Lord′s Prayer.

Endnote. Without maintained awareness, there is lax blindness before God if any Christian does not adopt change. All should envision instantly bracing themselves upon a slight sin attribution like this before God, ruled out clear in Sacred Scripture though not spelled out for you. It is also the Lord′s Prayer, dear to so many. Hopefully, all agree this is not petty.

     Incidentally, realistically, consider the minimal effort with how short Lord Jesus made this prayer for us.