Deliver Us From Evil

The Seventh Petition.

But deliver us from evil.

What does this mean?--Answer.
We pray in this petition, as in a summary, that our Father in heaven would deliver us from all manner of evil, of body and soul, property and honor, and at last, when our last hour shall come, grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this vale of tears to Himself into heaven.

Amen.

What does this mean?--Answer.
That I should be certain that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in heaven and heard; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray, and has promised that He will hear us. Amen, Amen; that is, Yea, yea, it shall be so.

(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

 

In this petition we pray that we be kept from all evils that plague this world. Martin Luther in the Large Catechism wrote: "But this petition he has put last, for if we are to be protected and delivered from all evil, his name must be hallowed in us, his kingdom come among us, and his will be done. Then he will preserve us from sin and shame and from everything else that harms or injures us."

 

Therefore; all of the petitions in the Lord's Prayer must be prayed with a sincere faith that God hears our prayers and answers. We cannot expect to be kept from evil if we do not revere God's name which is who and what He is; if we do not desire to live in his kingdom; or if we do not desire that his will be done among us here on earth. His will is for our good. If we do not desire his will to be done, how are we to expect that we are to kept safe from the evil one? It would be tantamount to jumping into a bonfire and expect not to get burned. Of course, all things are possible with God. But, it's probably not the best idea to be testing him. Jesus wouldn't, why would we think we can or should?

 

So we pray the Lord's prayer with faith and all God's people say Amen - that's the way it is. We give thanks for in His mercy He has heard our prayers and answered.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Keep Us From Temptations

The Sixth Petition.

And lead us not into temptation.

What does this mean?--Answer.
God, indeed, tempts no one; but we pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive us, nor seduce us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice; and though we be assailed by them, that still we may finally overcome and gain the victory.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 

Every day we face temptations. To some of these we succumb. To others we do not. Often we fail to even recognize that we are being tempted to do or say or think something that we ought not. The world around us tells us that what is wrong is right and what is right is wrong. It can be very confusing.



 

It can be especially confusing for young people who grow up with just a little knowledge of God; but, with way more knowledge of the progressive and materialistic world we live in. They have been taught to follow in the ways that they think will provide them with happiness in the moment and not to consider too much the long term consequences of their choices. 

 

It can be very difficult to discern what is right and what is wrong in many circumstances and so we pray that God would guard and keep us from temptation and when we are tempted that He would help us to be able to stand and say no to them.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Our Daily Bread

The Fourth Petition.

Give us this day our daily bread.

What does this mean?--Answer.
God gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all wicked men; but we pray in this petition that He would lead us to know it, and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
What is meant by daily bread?--Answer.
Everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as meat, drink, clothing, shoes, house, homestead, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful magistrates, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.

(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

 

The Lord provides. Lately, my granddaughter has been asking me if I am praying again. Yes, I do a lot of praying and no it doesn't matter to me if it's a public place. When she sees my head bowed it is an indicator not to interrupt my moment with God, unless it's an emergency. Mostly, during the day light hours, my prayers are prayers of thanksgiving. I could find a lot of things to grumble about if I let myself and sometimes I do. But, mostly I see the good things that He provides us with. I also see the opportunities He has given us who have been so blessed to feed His sheep their daily bread as well. Throughout the day, I find multitudes of opportunities to give thanks to God.

 

The Lord provides. Most often He provides our needs through others in whom He abides and through whom He continues to serve. 

 

The Lord provides. Give thanks to the Lord for providing you with your daily bread. Give thanks to the Lord that He has provided you with opportunities to provide food to those who are hungry.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

 

Thy Will Be Done

The Third Petition.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

What does this mean?--Answer.
The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.
How is this done?--Answer.
When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would not let us hallow the name of God nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of the devil, the world, and our flesh; but strengthens and keeps us steadfast in His Word and in faith unto our end. This is His gracious and good will.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 

Do we really want His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven? I know we pray this often; but, do we really mean it? Are we really willing to let our own selfish wills die in order that His will be done for the greater good; for the good of others? If it were not so, why would He be willing to send His only begotten Son to suffer and die for us? Jesus died for others. He was willing to suffer all hardship and die for us. Our will is usually only for our own personal good. God's will is for the good of all.

 

The devil, and we, can throw all kinds of obstacles in the way of God's will being done; nevertheless, ultimately, His will is done (He is; after all, God) so I am not sure why we are always fighting His will. 

 

May God keep us all steadfast in His Word and in faith, according to His good and gracious will.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Thy Kingdom Come!

The Second Petition.

Thy kingdom come.

What does this mean?--Answer.
The kingdom of God comes indeed without our prayer, of itself; but we pray in this petition that it may come unto us also.
How is this done?--Answer.
When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life here in time and yonder in eternity.

(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

By faith alone! The kingdom of God has come and we, by faith, in our Lord, Jesus the Christ, are residents of that kingdom.

Yes, we live in this world; but, all who believe also live in the kingdom and under the gracious rule of God our Father, the Lord Jesus the Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The heavenly kingdom is not just for a time after physical death. When that temple curtain was ripped in half at the time of Jesus' death; the doors to the kingdom were flung wide open. The kingdom comes by the work of our Lord. May God help us to receive live in His kingdom; life in His presence; beginning today and for all time.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Holy Is His Name

The First Petition.

Hallowed be Thy name.

What does this mean?--Answer.
God's name is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition that it may become holy among us also.
How is this done?--Answer.
When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we as the children of God also lead holy lives in accordance with it. To this end help us, dear Father in heaven. But he that teaches and lives otherwise than God's Word teaches profanes the name of God among us. From this preserve us, Heavenly Father.

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

His name is holy. It was so revered by the Israelites that they would not even speak it.

His name is holy and those who worship Him and profess His Holy Name pray and strive to ensure that nothing unholy is done among us that would cheapen and profane His Name.

"Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name."  Psalm 27:12

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 130 - Persistent Prayer

I wait for the LORD, to hear my prayers and answer. There have been a few prayer petitions that I have been praying for forty, even fifty plus years. Like the persistant widow, (Luke 18) I will not let up.  My whole being waits for the LORD to answer. There are times, when the prayers are answered, and then thanks to the human condition, everything goes back to the way it was before.

Psalm 130 reminds us that God does not keep a record of the sins of those whom He forgives. The problem is that we do. Even though God forgives; sometimes, it is impossible for us to forgive ourselves and we carry along the old baggage, doomed to repeat those things that have separated us from God. We are doomed to repeat those very things which we hate about ourselves.

Through faith in the one who died for our sins, we are forgiven. Believe it so that you might move on. Believe it so that you will be one less prayer petition on someone else's tongue! 

I have seen so many prayers for salvation of others answered. They serve the LORD with gladness. I was one of the prayer petitions for an aunt for many years. The LORD heard her and answered, leading me to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, guiding me beside still waters (Psalm 23). Thanks be to God for this persistent widow! Like the persistent widow, I will not stop crying out of the depths to the LORD for those who are lost. I may never see, with these eyes, the answer to my prayer. But, with the eyes of faith, I know that it is already done.

The LORD forgives you. He has wiped the record of your sins clean. You are free to reverence and serve Him.  Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J