Within Christian circles there is predominately one of two approaches to the work of Satan: to ignore it or to over play it. In the first instance, the work of Satan is dismissed and in the second the work of Satan is over emphasised. In this line of the Lord’s Prayer Jesus is showing us the importance of not ignoring Satan, but the closing line ‘For Yours is the kingdom, and the power and the glory’ reminds us that Satan is ultimately defeated (1 John4:4). We are adopted into God’s kingdom through Christ and God is the ultimate power so we do not need to over focus on Satan!
Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Jesus teaches us to pray in this way because it is a reality that we are in a spiritual battle, a battle that we cannot win on our own. So, at the end of teaching us to pray (after acknowledging who God is and requesting our needs of Him), Jesus is teaching us to ask for God’s freeing from the Evil One who is seeking to destroy us and lead us astray.
The final two requests of the Lord’s Prayer go hand in hand. First, we ask God to not lead us into temptation. But then we go one step further and ask Him to deliver us from the Evil One. Temptation comes from Satan and although our freedom, if we believe in Christ, has already been won through Jesus’ death on the cross we are asking God through this line to daily deliver us from the grip of evil upon our lives. Although we are saved, we still live in this mortal body with all it's sinful desires. We are still in a spiritual battle which in our own strength we can’t win, so daily we need to pray this, asking for God’s power at work in our lives to free us from the power of evil in our lives.
As we pray this line, we are asking God to deliver us from the evil one who is only seeking and desiring to destroy us and our witness for God. Ask God to once again free you today.
As we finish the Lord’s Prayer, spend some time today going back through the whole of the Lord’s Prayer focusing line by line on what Jesus is teaching you. Use today to spend more time with God in prayer.
Prayer for today
Loving Heavenly Father,
We thank you for your word that teaches us about who you are, what you have done for us and who you want us to be. Thank you that through the Lord’s Prayer you have taught us how to pray.
We thank you for Jesus and that through His death the victory over Satan has been won, but we ask again that whilst we still live in these mortal bodies that today you will put your power within us and free us from the power of evil.
We ask this so that in all we do we may glorify and honour your name, in whose name we pray.
Amen
Song for today
You can listen and sing along here.
You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light
Whom shall I fear
You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger still
Whom shall I fear
I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
My strength is in your name
For you alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory
And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in your hands
I'm holding on to your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful
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