Prayer for Overcoming Temptation

Every one of us falls into temptation. This has been part of human nature since the Fall. While we may feel like the devil is coming after us directly, as he did with Adam and Eve, lesser temptations can be enough to break even the strong. We need God’s help to overcome these spiritual attacks. We need a prayer for overcoming temptation.

Lord, I have been tempted. I ask You to strengthen my faith in hopes that, together with You, I can overcome this temptation, even if it goes on for a long time or takes different forms.

The apostle Paul encourages me in his letter to the Hebrews: 

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need .” 

Hebrews 4:16

Now is the time, Jesus, and I ask You to help me get through it victoriously.

Grant that I might repel all evil attacks, as You did when You were in the wilderness and the devil tempted You. Reveal all the tactics and traps the devil is using against me so I may win in Your name, Lord.

At the outset, I give up all fear of attacks because I know that fear does not come from You, but from the evil one: 

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” 

1 John 4:18

Paul also says,

“You did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we can cry, ‘Abba, Father!’”

Romans 8:15

So I ask You, Father, to give me paternal love.

Holy Spirit, come with your light and fire and drive away all darkness, lies, and evil that wraps around me. The Bible says, 

“Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.”

Galatians 4:6–7

 Lord, I want to place myself in Your light so that everything that does not exist in you will be revealed.

Lord, may any physical weakness not deter me from serving You. May any lack of goods not deter me from remaining faithful to You or trusting You in times of trial. Let me overcome this temptation as You did with the Word of God: 

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

Matthew 4:4.

The devil has often tried to convince me that I can do whatever I want just because I am a child of God, and that He will help me recover from sin, but even now I firmly reject this.

“Again, it is written, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God!’” 

Matthew 4:7

I reject everything in this world that shines, seduces, invites, and tempts. Together with You, Jesus, I answer in a determined voice: 

“Begone, Satan! for it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your Godand him only shall you serve.’”

Matthew 4:10

Let me use all my weapons to fight to stay unharmed. Let me stay in the truth and proclaim Your Word. Show me the most appropriate words in the Bible that will avert even the most persistent, intrusive, and alluring temptation.

Thank you, Jesus, for redeeming me with Your holy blood.

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for enlightening me again every day with Your light and teaching me how to live in a holy way.

Thank you, Father, for conceiving me from the beginning, creating me, and letting me see Your goodness.

My refuge is in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I want to overcome temptation and remain faithful to You today and all the days until the end of the world.

Amen.