Why do we need to ask God to deliver us from evil?

Answer

The request for God to “deliver us from evil” originates from the Lord’s Prayer, as documented in Matthew 6:13 (ESV). The Lord’s Prayer is also found in Luke 11:2–4 but lacks this final plea. The term “evil” is translated differently in various versions. The KJV, ESV, and NASB interpret the last phrase as “evil,” while the NIV and NKJV render it as “the evil one.” The Greek term is literally “the evil.” Given its specificity, many scholars suggest that “the evil” is particular and personified, referring to the devil.

“Deliver us from evil” is linked to the preceding request, “Lead us not into temptation” «And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. », (Matthew 6:13). This request also presents some complexity. The term translated as “temptation” can also mean “hard testing” and does not necessarily imply a temptation to sin.

Ultimately, the significance of “Deliver us from evil” lies not in dissecting the individual words but in the overall context of the clause. Satan is the ultimate source of all evil, so whether we seek deliverance from evil in general (sin) or from the evil one specifically, the two are interconnected. Every instance of “hard testing” presents an opportunity to either trust God or succumb to sinful temptation, thereby falling under the influence of sin and the devil to some extent. Through the Lord’s Prayer, we are encouraged to pray for God’s protection from situations that may lead us to sin, requesting that sin never takes hold in our lives.

Jesus instructed His disciples to pray, “Deliver us from evil,” recognizing that we cannot withstand the devil in our own strength. A believer in Christ has a shield against the devil through faith and prayer. (Matthew 6:13).

Been delivered from the penalty of sin « There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. », (Romans 8:1), but we are still in a daily battle against sin and the devil. We need to rely on the Holy Spirit to help us resist temptation and overcome sin in our lives. Praying “deliver us from evil” is a recognition of our own limited abilities and a means of asking for God to step in and help us. While we can pray for help to overcome temptation and sin, we can also pray that we will not be put in positions where we would face severe temptation. A man who is struggling with alcohol should avoid places where alcohol will be served, but he should also pray that he will not encounter any unexpected invitations to drink during the course of his day. A person who is struggling with lust should obviously avoid certain places and activities, but he can also pray that situations beyond his control do not present themselves to him.

The prayer that God would deliver us from evil has a counterpart in the command and promise of James 4:7: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” This is prefaced by “submit yourselves to God.” If we were to face the devil in our own power, we would be overwhelmed. We can only resist temptation, avoid sin, and defeat the devil by a conscious reliance upon God’s power. Just as we need to ask for “daily bread” for our physical needs, we need to ask for “daily deliverance” for our spiritual needs.