402- Lead us not into Temptation

 

St-Takla.org Image: The Coptic Sunday School servant with the three kids, by Maged Wadea صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: الخادم القبطي مع المخدومين الثلاثة، رسم ماجد وديع

In a friendly atmosphere, Mark the teacher wanted to find out who is the most reliable student. He asked his students, “If you found a purse that contains a valuable, rare piece of diamond what would you do with it?”

One of them replied at once, saying, "I’ll look for the owner of the diamond to return it to him."

The teacher said “He’s fast to answer but I doubt his intention.”

The second student said, "I’ll wait if the owner claimed his diamond I’d give it to him. If not, I’d keep it.”

The teacher said, "He’s honest in his words but he’s a cunning heart.”

The third said, "I’ll pray to God not to lead me into temptation so I wouldn’t be tempted to keep what isn’t mine."

Then the teacher realized that the third student was honest in his words as well as in his heart.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: لا تدخلني في تجربة.

Lord, lead me not into temptation.

Protect me, You know my weakness.

Do not allow any opportunity that might lead me to my weakness.

And if did, protect me.

Preserve my heart, my thoughts and all my senses.

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