Matthew 6:13 "And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil."  If the supplication for bread is focused on our present needs.. and our supplication for forgiveness is focused on the past.. then this request points us to the future.  We do not know what the days ahead hold for us.. but our Father does! He knows that temptations are ever present and that the evil one is ever prowling "about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." ( I Peter 5:8) 

Again we see that Christ has given us the words to bring to the Throne of grace.. to ask of our Father in heaven what we need the most.  We are helpless beggars in need of the Kingdom's power to resist the temptations within and the devil without..  We come to Him who has promised to reward the poor in spirit with His kingdom; Who has promised to comfort those who mourn and to exalt the humble; who will show mercy to the merciful and peace to the peacemaker.  Our Father in heaven knows what we need before we ask.. and He tells us to ask that our path will be made straight.. that when temptations come, we will stand firm.. that when the devil sends his fiery darts, we will resist with our shields of faith and he will flee!

Peter wrote "Humble yourselves, therefore under the mighty hand of God that He might exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for You." ( I Pet.5:6-7)  Then when the devil comes roaring we can resist "firm in your faith".   Yes, there will be suffering, Peter tells us, but.. "..after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish You." ( v10)

This is what we are praying for when we make this request.. believing that He who is able to do more than we could ever ask or imagine.. will bring us through every temptation and trial and test..every attack..  that we might stand before Him complete.. perfect.. 

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass." (I Thessalonians 5:23-24) 

Amen!