If God does not tempt us, why did Jesus instruct us to pray 'Lead us not into temptation'?

TL;DR:

God does not tempt us to sin. Praying, “lead us not into temptation” is a plea for God to guide and protect us from situations and circumstances that may lure us into ungodly action.

Probably the most often spoken prayer in Christianity is the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6:9–13: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Why must we ask God to not lead us into temptation when it’s clear He Himself doesn’t tempt us? This prayer is a cry for God to guide and protect us from situations where we would otherwise be tempted to sin. It’s a cry for Him to deliver us from evil and show us the way out (1 Corinthians 10:13). God desires to make us holy as He is holy; He does not cause us to fail.

from the old testament

David prayed a similar prayer in Psalm 141:4: "Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!"

from the new testament

Jesus tells us to pray to the Father to not lead us into temptation. However, we know that God will not tempt us to sin (James 1:13) because it is not in His holy nature.
"Temptation" sometimes also refers to trials or hardships. We know that God can use suffering in our lives to produce godly character (James 1:2–4; Romans 5:3–5) and that those who seek to live a godly life will encounter persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). Even though we know we will have trouble in this world (John 16:33), it is not wrong to pray for God to minimize it.
God makes the way of escape out of our temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13). In this way He delivers us from evil.
God’s grand desire and plan is to make us holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16).
God's Word tells us repeatedly to seek righteousness (Matthew 6:33; Romans 10:3) and to flee from sin (Romans 6:1–2; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; 1 Timothy 6:11–12).

implications for today

Why would we need to ask God to refrain from doing something He wouldn't do? Our prayer to God to "lead us not into temptation" is a plea for God to protect us, to guide us around situations and circumstances that may lure us into ungodly action. We may read it as Jesus teaching us to pray that God will not allow or permit us to be tempted. God will certainly never author temptation to sin, but He does allow it. Even though we know that God is faithful to provide a way out of temptation if we will take it (1 Corinthians 10:13), our prayer is often for Him to keep us from it all together. There are certain places, people, and circumstances that seem to be dangerous to us, in terms of interrupting our desire to honor God. We ask God to help keep us clear and to set our eyes on Him so we will not be tempted to stray. We need His wisdom and guidance. Our prayer is that we submit ourselves to God's will. As we cede control to God, we ask Him to keep us protected ("deliver us from evil") and give us the strength we need if temptation is allowed.

understand

We must ask God for help in dealing with temptation.
God will always provide the way out of temptation.
God does not tempt anyone and instead helps us in times of temptation.

reflect

How can you identify areas in your life where you might be more vulnerable to temptation? How would asking God to protect you from those situations help you?
When facing temptation, how have you experienced God's faithfulness in providing a way out? How can you rely on His guidance in those moments?
How can you adjust your daily prayers to ask for God's protection from temptation while also being open to the challenges He may allow for your growth?

engage

How does understanding that God does not tempt us but allows temptation for our growth change the way we pray for deliverance from evil?
What are some practical ways we can discern when we are being tempted? How can we actively seek God’s guidance in those moments?
How can we encourage others who are struggling with temptation to trust in God's promise to provide a way out and to rely on His strength?