A Dangerous Prayer - Part 4

In this reflection on the Lord’s Prayer, let us consider the final verse: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

What are these temptations and evil from which we pray to be delivered? The question strikes at the heart of the age old problem of why bad things happen to good people, and how a God whom we profess to be loving and merciful would allow evil to exist in the world.

We must remember that nothing that happens to us is beyond the Lord’s control. Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for good for those who love God, even the bad stuff. There is grace to be gleaned from life’s trials and tribulations. Our God is, above all else, a loving Father, and He never withdraws His mercy from us. Although He disciplines us with misfortunes, He does not abandon His own people (2 Mc. 6:16).

Still, it is tempting to cling to the notion of abundance being a sign of God’s favor and misfortune a sign of being accursed. We must pray to be delivered from that temptation. We must hold fast to the perspective of faith that lets us see the grace flowing forth from troubled times, faith like that of Job: Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. We accept good things from God; and should we not accept evil?” (Jb. 1:21, 2:9-10).

Both the Scriptures and Jewish wisdom literature present numerous examples of people, like Job, who triumphed, and of others who fell prey to temptation. Our Lord Jesus knows well the temptations we face. Satan tempted Him with all the same allurements with which he attempts to entice us off the path to eternal life (see Mt. 4-1:11). The worst evil from which we must beg deliverance is temptation to the sin of apostasy.

A Maccabean account tells the story of a mother and her seven sons who were arrested and tortured to force them into abandoning the laws of Yahweh. They all resolutely accept death rather than transgress the covenant. One of the sons, holding fast to his faith, tells his tormentors, “It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the hope God gives of being raised up by Him” (2 Mc 7:14). Nothing was more important than remaining faithful to the covenant relationship with the Creator.

Our Lord tells us plainly that His followers will pay a price for their faith. Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you (Jn. 15:20). He warns us repeatedly to pray that we not be tested.

Lest we think we are above succumbing to such temptation, let us remember the plight of Peter, who valiantly and proudly declared to the Lord, “I will lay down my life for You!” (Jn.13:37). Jesus warned Peter, James and John in the Garden of Gethsemane, saying, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not be put to the test.” (Lk. 22:46). And what happened to Peter a short while later when he was confronted in the courtyard of the high priest’s house? Just as Jesus had foretold, he denied [Him] saying, Woman, I do not know Him. (Lk. 22:57). And this from a man who literally walked with the Lord for three years! What chance do we possibly have?

As we pray the Lord’s Prayer, it is helpful to ask ourselves, “Are we sleeping, that is, spiritually sleeping?” We must do our part and avoid putting ourselves into tempting circumstances. Ultimately it is up to God whether or not we are tested. In this final verse, we fervently ask to be spared such a trial. But if the Lord allows us to be tested, we cannot hope to triumph unless we have nurtured our relationship with Him on a daily basis by reading His Word, through personal prayer and in communal worship with our fellow believers.

We must desire with all our heart, mind and soul that the Lord would become so intimately a part of us that there is no question of where our loyalties lie, no matter the situation. The life-giving water of grace to fight the good fight is given to us in abundance. The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let the hearer say, “Come.” Let the one who thirsts come forward, and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water” (Rv. 22:17).

As a friend of mine likes to say, “It all comes down to knowing who you are and Whose you are.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus, come with Your grace!

Prayer Request: That we may never presume that our faith is strong enough.

Prayer:
Lord, we thank you for sending us the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in our weakness. Keep us close to You, never let us be parted from You, for without You, we can do nothing. We pray in the mighty Name of our Lord Jesus. Amen.