"And deliver us from evil"
Evil takes many forms. It is in the terrorist attack that takes innocent lives and injures many more. It is in the unexpected cancer diagnosis. It is in the car accident caused by the drunk or distracted driver. It is in racism, where one group oppresses another because of the color of their skin. It is in words of slander and when one person cheats another from what is rightfully theirs. Luther writes, "We ask in this prayer, as in summary, that our Father in heaven may deliver us from all kinds of evil- affecting body or soul, property or reputation..." This is a powerful prayer. It is not one we should gloss over quickly, as we so often do. This is a prayer that evil will not overtake our lives, nor have the final victory. It is a reminder of our responsibility to work against evil. Evil is all around us in many forms. But we believe God has already won the victory in Jesus Christ. With that knowledge we pray confidently every day. "And deliver us from evil." May it be so.
There is daily evil that needs to be overcome through Christ and the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDelete