But Deliver Us From Evil

This last request in the Lord's Prayer is a continued theme from the previous one, "Lead us not into temptation." In that supplication, we ask God to lead and not drive us, yet the negative "not into temptation" is added. Therefore, this plea is for a positive "deliver us." Doesn't that humble you? In saying the Lord's Prayer, we are asking God to deliver us, for He is capable of doing so, and we are admitting that we are unable to deliver ourselves. But from what?

"Deliver us from evil" would better be rendered, "Deliver us from the evil one," and that, of course, speaks of Satan. It brings to mind Satan's God-granted authority to cause Job to suffer; it also invites us to consider Jesus' words to Peter in Luke 22:31-32, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." When we pray for God to deliver us, we are speaking in this context. We don't want to be given over into the hands of the evil one, for he will surely do great harm to us - unless the Lord rescues us in due time as we endure the assault.

Being tempted is one thing, but being given over to temptation and assault at the hands of Satan is frightful to say the least. Thus, the final request is for the Lord to protect us from both low level temptations, perhaps from the flesh or from the world, and intense assaults from the evil one himself. And God is faithful. He will do it.