The Forgotten Plea: Unpacking the True Meaning of “Deliver Us from Evil”
As I reflect on my childhood, I remember reciting the Lord’s Prayer countless times. The familiar words became second nature, and I often found myself rattling through the phrases without giving much thought to their significance. I suspect I’m not alone in this experience. However, a recent encounter with missionaries’ stories of persecution prompted me to reexamine the prayer, particularly the phrase “deliver us from evil.”
A Misconceived Notion of Evil
Initially, I understood “deliver us from evil” as a request for protection from the devil’s schemes and evil influences. While this interpretation isn’t entirely inaccurate, it’s limited. Growing up in a mid-American, Bible-Belt community, I hadn’t truly experienced evil in its most brutal forms. My understanding was naive, sheltered from the harsh realities faced by many around the world.
Confronting the Harsh Reality
Then, I attended a missionary conference, where I heard heart-wrenching stories of persecution. Families were torn apart, with loved ones martyred or maimed because of their unwavering faith. Women and children were subjected to unimaginable horrors, including rape and slavery. The reason? They refused to renounce Jesus. These stories shook me to my core, forcing me to confront the true nature of evil.
The Urgent Need for Prayer
Missionaries, who risk everything to spread God’s message, need our prayers for protection every single day. Whether they’re serving in the jungles of Africa, the hills of Turkey and Syria, or on the dark streets of major cities, they face evil head-on. As believers living in a land of religious freedom, we have a sacred responsibility to lift them up in prayer.
A Call to Intercession
God has called and equipped missionaries to save souls, and He has called and equipped us to support them through prayer. Will you join me in praying for our brothers and sisters who face evil daily? Let us pray:
Father in Heaven, your Son taught us to pray as an example. Help me savor each word, hallowing your name, praying for your kingdom to come, for your daily provisions, and to help me forgive others as you forgive me. But most of all, help me realize the prayer is in the plural. Let me pray daily for those who face temptation, who struggle to forgive, and who confront evil as they proclaim your saving grace and glory. Amen.
A Plural Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer is often recited individually, but its true power lies in its plural nature. As we pray, let us remember that we’re not alone. We’re part of a global community of believers, many of whom face unimaginable hardships. May our prayers become a lifeline, supporting and uplifting those who dare to share God’s love in the darkest corners of the world.
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