When you say, "Lead us not into temptation," you must in good earnest mean to avoid in your daily conduct those temptations which you have already suffered from. When you say, "Deliver us from evil," you must mean to struggle against that evil in your hearts, which you are conscious of, and which you pray to be forgiven. To watch and pray are surely in our power, and by these means we are certain of getting strength. You feel your weakness; you fear to be overcome by temptation; then keep out of the way of it. This is watching. Avoid society which is likely to mislead you; flee from the very shadow of evil; you cannot be too careful; better be a little too strict than a little too easy,—it is the safer side. Abstain from reading books which are dangerous to you. Turn from bad thoughts when they arise.
J.H. Newman
Watch AND pray.
Watch- Most of us know many of the situations that will cause us to struggle. Alcoholics know not to go into a bar. People addicted to pornography know not to get on the computer late at night. But do gossips leave the water cooler when the rumor monger arrives for a cup of H20? Does the husband/wife avoid that contentious topic when they are tired? Will the compulsive shopper throw away the sales circulars before looking through them?
Watch out for those known weak areas and take preemptive steps. There is no glory in stepping right up to the line to test your resolve. God is not impressed with how close we can come to sin but not fall. Watch---Avoid---Flee.
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