A Prayer of Faith

I’ve always loved what has been called Nephi’s Psalm in 2 Nephi, chapter 4. I’ve been comforted knowing that he struggled with his weaknesses, and uplifted as he acknowledged that “my God hath been my support” (v. 20).

While reading a book this week, however, I realized that I often gloss over an important part of this chapter. The last few verses are a prayer that Nephi offers with all the fervency of his soul.

O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?
May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!
O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.

In numerous places in the scriptures, we are told to pray that we might not enter into temptation (e.g., Luke 22:40, 46; Matt. 26:41; Mark 14:38; 3 Ne. 18:18; D&C 20:33; D&C 31:12; D&C 61:39). I find it compelling that the the Lord’s prayer (as short as it is) includes this kind of plea.

I confess that I don’t pray for strength to avoid temptation nearly enough. Nephi’s prayer gives me an example of how earnestly I should offer such a plea - especially given these challenging days in which we live. Nephi gives me motivation to make “lead me not into temptation” something to remember in my daily communication with heaven.

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