“Deliver us from Evil”

Christians face 3 types of evil in this world:

1. The evil within us
2. (aka “the Flesh”)
3. The evil around us
4. (aka “the World”)
5. The evil above us
6. (aka “the Devil”)

The final petition of The Lord’s Prayer is a weapon of power against the evil forces we experience in life. Not that we have the power in and of ourselves over evil, but because we talk to the One who does have power over sinister forces. 

Remember from the beginning of the prayer? We talk to “Our Father who is in Heaven.”

We are talking to the

ALMIGHTY God!

Only He and his angels can battle the evil we pray against.

I find it helpful to pray against all 3 forces of evil specifically.

1.) The Evil within us

(aka “the Flesh”)

Broken patterns of thinking, insecurities, self-trust, perverse desires, greed, slander, gossip, divisions, assuming the worst of others, grumbling, complaining, selfishness, control, cowardice, idolatry, self-exaltation, self-pity and many other sins arise from the broken human heart.

If you think you have the power to stop these things, go ahead and try. I’ll wait, and we can finish the conversation when you get to the end of yourself.

Instead Jesus calls us to pray that HE would deliver us from these evils. He does this by the power of the Holy Spirit.

So pray, pray, pray that he would deliver you from your old self. 

2.) Evil around us

(aka “the world”)

Materialism, greed, image, false religion, blasphemy, sexual immorality, success, status, luxury, war, murder, infanticide, abortion, slavery, racism, godless ideology, corporate greed, failure to care for the poor, sick, and addicted are examples of the evil around us.

These things are the water we are swimming in. We might not even notice many of the ways of the world because it is all we have known from birth.

Because of our unawareness,

we can be living in worldly

thinking without even knowing it.

We must call out to God to be delivered from the worldliness around us and to begin living out of the values of another kingdom. The Kingdom of God.

Ask God to see the world

the way he does.

He hates worldliness,

but loves worldly people. 

Let us pray - “Deliver us from the evil of the world and shape us by your vision for the world. Correct us, edit our assumptions about life, delete false ways and make us like Jesus in this world.”

3.) The evil above us

(aka “the Devil” )

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” -Ephesians 6:12

When we talk about the “the devil” we are talking about demonic evil forces that oppose God and his people. We are talking about fallen angels with vast intelligence and power.

You are not strong enough, wise enough, intelligent enough, or righteous enough to stand against them in and of yourself.

These demons primarily employ one strategy in two parts:

lie and divide.

They introduce untruth to humans and then use that falsity to divide humans causing them to turn on each other. This happens in churches, marriages, family systems, friendships, workplaces, and social groups and anywhere else humans are found. 

The only way to be delivered

from this evil is to call

out to Jesus. 

Whether it be a nightmare, a conflict, confusion, discouragement, or temptation, call out to Jesus.

Pray to him - “Deliver me from the evil one! Let us be aware of his schemes! Keep us from his temptations! Correct us wherever he has deceived us! O Lord scatter these forces, confuse them and put your protection around us! Send your Holy angels to defend and guard our way! Deliver us from evil!”

Homework:

Take 15 minutes to pray through the content above. Pray specifically through all 3 areas of evil for deliverance.

Ask God to reveal to you any areas where you are deceived. Ask him to give you courage to turn to the light with each thing.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Harvey