And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:13
“After all these things, in the conclusion of the prayer comes a brief clause, which shortly and comprehensively sums up all our petitions and our prayers. For we conclude by saying, But deliver us from evil, comprehending all adverse things which the enemy attempts against us in this world, from which there may be a faithful and sure protection if God deliver us, if He afford His help to us who pray for and implore it. And when we say, Deliver us from evil, there remains nothing further which ought to be asked. When we have once asked for God’s protection against evil, and have obtained it, then against everything which the devil and the world work against us we stand secure and safe. For what fear is there in this life, to the man whose guardian in this life is God?”
Cyprian of Carthage (190-258) Sermon 4 On the Lord’s Prayer 27.
The evil throws temptations and trials. In response, we can only say, deliver us. The evil one throws difficulty and despair. In response, we can only say, deliver us.
I don’t know where you find yourself, but some days I feel tempted to give up and lose heart. The ministry opportunities worldwide for GTP have been more open than ever in closed countries but giving to GTP has lagged.
We have had to postpone Brazil, Nepal, and Pakistan. We may have to delay four countries in the Eastern Caribbean too. So I have resolved this Lent to pray more frequently for God’s help and to ask for his deliverance.
Deliverance from doubt. Deliverance from the temptation to worry. Deliverance from discouragement. Pray for me. And let me know how I can pray for you. And pray for safe travel home. Flying from Sydney to Los Angeles to Denver today.