Deliver Us

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. -Ephesians 6:10-18

“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” This is the 5th petition of the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus teaches us to plead on our own behalf because he knows that temptation and evil are in the world. There is spiritual battle all around us. We may not see or recognize the work of the evil one, but we can recognize the effects. God wants us to resist temptation and flee from the devil. Jesus used scripture to combat the temptations he faced when in the wilderness for 40 days before embarking on his ministry journey. We are also given tools to combat temptation and evil.

Paul uses the example of the “armor of God” in Ephesians 6:10-18. We need truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, and God’s word. Most of the articles of “armor” are for defense and protection. The only weapon we have against the devil’s schemes is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Our weapon, as well as any protection we have, are from God. This is good news. It means that God fights our battles. We just need to stand firmly grounded in Christ.

The next time you face temptation or are overwhelmed by the effects of evil in the world, remember that God is in control. God is fighting the battle with and for you. This world will not last, but God is making a new heaven and a new earth in the final battle. Let us hold firm in our faith that God isn’t finished with us yet.

Each section of the Lord’s Prayer aligns with the key themes of Lent: repentance, dependence, provision, forgiveness, and spiritual strength. This week we focus on temptation and deliverance.

Please join us this season of Lent for a weekly prayer service each Wednesday at 6:30pm in the Main Sanctuary as we practice each portion of the Lord’s Prayer together.

PRAYER
One: We are invited to pray for deliverance from the times of trial, those times that reveal the evil and brokenness that seeks to rule this world. Lord, in your mercy, show us the ways that we buy into evil too easily.

All: Search our hearts and reveal to us the hatred, fear, jealousy, selfishness and self-righteousness that lead us to behave in ways that glorify ourselves or the world instead of you and your Kingdom. In the name of the true Light of the World, may we shine the light of love into the darkest places.

One: We are invited to ask for shelter and protection in those moments we are afraid of life. And those moments we are afraid of death.

All: Lord, in your mercy, send your Spirit to comfort us and remind us that in life and in death we belong to you. On this day in particular we ask you to be with our loved ones.

One: We entrust their lives to you, believing your promise to hear us when we gather and agree in prayer together.

All: We lift our hearts to you, giving you glory, honor and praise. And we give you every need, every desire, every dream in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Thank you to Rev. Tyler Holm, our mission partner serving at the University of Livingstonia in Malawi. Tyler will preach this Sunday, March 22, and share how his ministry helps to build God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Pastor Hanna’s family will be in Tacoma for the Washington State Gymnastics tournament to support their daughter, Vivienne, as she competes.