Matthew 6:9-13, Verse 13

Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.

Today we’ll contemplate the last portion of the prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray. But before we look at verse 13, pray the entire prayer from Matthew 6:9-13.

Now pay close attention to this part of the prayer: “And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”

You may know this part of the Lord’s Prayer this way: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” In both translations, the word “temptation” can also be translated “trial” or “test.” One way to think about this is that when we pray these words, we are asking God to spare us from having our character put on trial. What human was ever born who could withstand the examination of the Holy God? All but Jesus would all fail this test miserably.

And so, we are once again reminded that without the mercy and grace of God, and without the work of Jesus on our behalf, we would simply be frail and faulty and beyond hope. Considering this, how amazing is it that when we “put on” Jesus, that is place our faith in him and yield our lives to him, Jesus gives us his holiness and perfection. Because of Jesus, God then sees us fully restored – the way we were created to be.

Take a moment or two to thank Jesus for this unimaginable gift.

Now pray this part of Jesus’ prayer again: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

The Greek word for “evil” includes in its meaning the idea of the pain that results from evil. Evil is not just the bad things we do, it’s the pain we cause both to ourselves and to others when we veer from God’s good and perfect way.

And the Greek word translated “deliver” or “rescue” literally means “to draw to oneself.” When we pray this part of Jesus’ prayer, we are asking God to draw us into the safety of God’s holy presence where we are free from the pain of evil.

Think for a moment of one of your past transgressions (sins) that caused you pain. As you pray this part of Jesus’ prayer again, picture yourself being drawn into God’s presence in an embrace:

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Sit quietly in God’s presence and allow God’s healing and freedom to pour over you.

As you end this time of meditation, pray the Lord’s Prayer in its entirety once more.

What might God want you to remember or do as a result of this deep dive into the prayer Jesus taught his followers to pray?

What do you plan to do about that?

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