4 - LORD'S PRAYER - the Servant's PetitionsNäide

11 – To Ask, To Plead...

“…but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13, NIV)

When we talk about temptation, we understand it as a struggle that appeals to our own natural inclinations—those that resist the will of God. That’s why Jesus taught us to pray, “deliver us from the evil one”—with the assurance that this is exactly what God desires for us.

As parents, we want our children to grow and enjoy strong, healthy relationships with us. In the same way, our Father in heaven is always present and ready to support, heal, and restore us—because we are His beloved children. He knows that if we stay on the right path, we will grow into His perfect will.

Our battles—against the enemy, against selfishness, and against sin—are not unwinnable trials. Instead, they are challenges that strengthen our resolve to remain in God’s will. And there are three simple and powerful ways our Father delivers us from the evil one. Let’s begin with the first:

When temptation strikes, we must remember that God is with us—and that we are never alone in the fight. Crying out to Him out loud can be incredibly powerful:

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:12–13, NIV)

A humble prayer—“Father, this is too much for me. I cannot win this on my own, but You can, and You want to help me. By Your Spirit, stretch out Your hand. Help me stand firm. Let me feel Your presence and overcome this without falling”—opens the door to God’s strength and brings victory in the face of evil.

In the next reflection, we’ll look at two more ways to fight—and win—this battle.