Week 6: November 6

Lead Us, Deliver Us by Deb Williams

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DAY 1


This week we will be looking at the final request of the Lord’s prayer, ‘Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one’. We’ll take some time to unpack it over the next few days.


The phrase,which the NIV translates as ‘don’t let us yield to temptation’ can at first glance seem confusing yet it gives us a fuller understanding of this part of the prayer and Jesus' intent for us as His followers.


The Greek word for temptation is peirasmos. It is used by three of the NT passages that talk about temptation. Does God tempt us? Does He test us? We read of Jesus being led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Matthew 4). Abraham had his faith tested (Hebrews 11:17) when God told him to sacrifice Isaac. And then there are the Israelites who endured 40 years of testing in the wilderness! Imagine 40 years.


Consider the following quote by David Timms in his book, Living the Lord’s Prayer: "Is there a difference between temptation and a test? To most of our minds, yes. Temptation usually carries connotations of something that crosses a moral line - tempted to steal, lust, envy or lie for example. When we say that we feel sorely tempted, we generally mean that we feel strongly inclined to violate the moral code of the kingdom... A test however relates more to our faith. Much like Abraham, we may feel that various trials and hardships test whether or not we will trust the Father."


We also have the words found in Hebrews 1:13-14 (I’m including 12-15 for context):


12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.


Our temptations are the result of our sin nature - I may be tempted to gossip, lie, become resentful - you can fill your own blank. However the testing we experience is permitted, allowed by God to refine us, teach us, transform us. It might be a time of suffering, a personal struggle, relational challenges, financial difficulties.


What we need to remember is that our testing provides for the opportunity for us to move into a deeper relationship with our heavenly Father. It is an opportunity for our faith to deepen and our trust to grow. I wonder how this perspective, this truth deeply ingrained in our heart and soul would create a new paradigm for us during our seasons of testing. (But more on this tomorrow.)


For Reflection:

What is a temptation you are experiencing?


Where are you being tested?


Take a moment to reflect on your answers and then ask God for what you need.

DAY 2

I am not a fan of tests. Never have been, never will be! I have a long history of struggling when it comes to testing for a class or course. I feel the weight of assessment, the measuring. It’s something I have had to come to terms with over the years but if I’m completely honest I still break a bit of a sweat when I hear the word, “test.”


There are other tests we have to have, aren’t there? Tests for physical issues. Maybe you remember the test you took for your driving license or a certification for work. Then there are the unspoken tests - meeting your future in-laws for the first time, trying out for a sport’s team, interviewing for a new job or position. We use the phrase “Stand the test (of time)” - these raise questions about measuring up, being accepted, or even acceptable. Our response to tests reveal a lot about us.


How do we view a test that God allows? Do we see it through the same lens we see earthly tests - a pass or fail, acceptable or not, somehow not measuring up to someone else’s standard? I wonder what it would be like for us to become ‘curious’ about the tests God allows? If our questions shifted from ‘God, what are you trying to do to me?’ to ‘Lord, what are you showing me that needs healing, transformation, further deepening?’ If we saw the seasons of tests as an opportunity to know more of our heavenly Father’s heart and love.


Daniel Henderson in the book, The Lord’s Prayer for Dummies states the following:

“This element of the prayer addresses the inward realities of our heart to align us with the heart of the One who is the God of self-sacrificing, gracious, merciful, and forgiving love.”


Aligning my heart to the One who is God! What a beautiful and yet difficult reality. Why? Because it means we have to take a reflective and honest look at our perspective in contrast to God’s holy one. This requires a willingness to surrender and be obedient to “Our Father.” Not a simple task. Not a one time act. Rather a lifelong pursuit of holiness.


For Reflection:

How do you respond to tests? Impatience? Frustration? Trust? Curiosity? Fear?


What season of testing are you currently in? What character trait or aspect of holiness is God desiring to deepen in you? What do you need to surrender?

DAY 3

Today we look at the phrase, “Deliver us from the Evil One.” The Passion translation reads, “Rescue us every time we face tribulation and set us free from evil.” The first part of the phrase touched on the testing, the temptation. The second half focuses on evil. Of this, David Timms says, “It teaches us to lean on the Father to lead, guide, and deliver us, not empower us to have a victory of our own. He is the one who delivers us.”


Our need for rescue is acute. Nothing can make us more aware of our own inadequacies than the tests we encounter. Yet this isn’t just about inadequacies but rather that part of our heart that leans toward evil, sinful choices and actions. The Battle within. Romans 6:13, Paul admonishes the believer, “do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.” Our plea to God is for a deliverance from this evil. This is a sober truth we need to not take lightly.


‘When we pray, “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one,” we recognize our own inability to overcome the temptations and snares of daily life. We entrust our welfare for warfare to the One who is our victor.’

- Daniel Henderson


This part of the prayer also reminds us of the battle with the Evil one that rages in our world today. The battle outside. Ephesians 6 tells us we ‘wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. Peter reminds believers to “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”


Our prayer is a plea for escape and freedom by God’s supernatural power. We pray this for ourselves and for others. The times we currently live in create an urgent need for this in the heart of every believer.


For Reflection:

Take some time and ask the Holy Spirit to show you places in your life where you have allowed sin to reside. Don’t rush this process. Ask Him for a heart of brokenness. Take time to repent and confess these to the Father. 


Do you know of someone or a situation where there is a need for deliverance from the Evil one? Make a commitment to pray for them, asking for God’s deliverance in their life. 

DAY 4

Oftentimes we become so familiar with the words of this prayer that it can lose significance and relevance in our lives and our faith. For today, Google Image Search, “The Lord’s Prayer” - you’ll most likely see a myriad of ways people have depicted the words, both formally and informally. 


Look them over and choose one that captures your attention, your eye. Read the words aloud several times as you study the piece. Do you notice a particular word or phrase that draws your attention? Write it down.


Create your own illustration of the Prayer. You can draw a colorful image, do a word doodle, superimpose the words of the prayer over your favorite picture, or anything else you choose to do. As you work, ask God to imprint these words on your heart. God bless your time with Him today!

Day 5

As you continue your reflection on the Lord’s Prayer, we consider the Passion translation for this week’s focus. Allow the descriptive words to open your heart and soul in a fresh way today. Read it aloud several times, slowly and thoughtfully.


May ‘Our Father’ continue to lead us and deliver us, His children.


When you are done reading, listen to the song, The Lord’s Prayer by Matt Maher. It too is a refreshing take on these ancient words.


6:9 - Pray like this: Our Beloved Father, dwelling in the heavenly realms, may the glory of your name be the center on which our lives turn.

  • Jesus invites us into the same relationship with the Father, as His Abba.
  • An alternate reading of the Aramaic text. The Aramaic word for “name” isshema (the Hebrew word,shem), a word with multiple meanings. It can also be translated as “light,” “sound,” or “atmosphere.” Placing a light, like a lantern, in an enclosed space magnifies that light. This is the meaning here of God’s name being made sacred and magnified as we focus our lives on him. The Greek is “treated as holy.”

6:10 - Manifest your kingdom realm, and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is in heaven.

  • Or “Come and begin your kingdom reign.”

6:11 - We acknowledge you as our Provider of all we need each day.

  • Or “Give us bread [or life] today for the coming day.” Bread becomes a metaphor of our needs (physically, spiritually, and emotionally). Jesus is teaching us to acknowledge Father God as our Provider of all we need each day. Both the Greek and Hebrew Matthew can be translated “Give us this day our bread for tomorrow” (or “our continual bread”).

6:12 - Forgive us the wrongs we have done as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us.

  • Or “Send away the results of our debts (shortcomings),” used as a metaphor for our sins. The Aramaic can be translated “Give us serenity as we also allow others serenity.”

6:13 - Rescue us every time we face tribulation and set us free from evil.

  • Or “Do not let us be put into the ordeal of testing.” God never tempts man. See James 1:13–14.
  • Or “the Evil One.”

Ending - For you are the King who rules with power and glory forever. Amen.’