Q&A 127 What does the sixth request mean?

"And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one" means,

 

By ourselves we are too weak

to hold our own even for a moment.¹

 

And our sworn enemies--

the devil,² the world,³ and our own flesh--⁴

never stop attacking us.

 

And so, Lord,

uphold us and make us strong

with the strength of your Holy Spirit,

so that we may not go down to defeat

in this spiritual struggle,⁵

but may firmly resist our enemies

until we finally win the complete victory.⁶

 

¹ Ps. 103:14-16; John 15:1-5

² 2 Cor. 11:14; Eph. 6:10-13; 1 Pet. 5:8

³ John 15:18-21

⁴ Rom. 7:23; Gal. 5:17

⁵ Matt. 10:19-20; 26:41; Mark 13:33; Rom. 5:3-5

⁶ 1 Cor. 10:13; 1 Thess. 3:13; 5:23

Q&A 128 What does your conclusion to this prayer mean?

"For yours is the kingdom

and the power

and the glory forever" means,

 

We have made all these requests of you

because, as our all-powerful king,

you not only want to,

but are able to give us all that is good;¹

and because your holy name,

and not we ourselves,

should receive all the praise, forever.²

 

¹ Rom. 10:11-13; 2 Pet. 2:9

² Ps. 115:1; John 14:13

 

 

Q&A 129 What does that little word "Amen" express?

"Amen" means,

 

This is sure to be!

 

It is even more sure

that God listens to my prayer,

than that I really desire

what I pray for.¹

 

¹ Isa. 65:24; 2 Cor. 1:20; 2 Tim. 2:13

 

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