FAQs Mondays: What Do We Pray for in the Sixth Petition of the Lord's Prayer

Last week, we looked at the fifth petition of the Lord's Prayer. You can read that article here.  Now we turn our attention to sixth, and final, petition of the Lord's Prayer.

What do we pray for in the sixth petition of the Lord's Prayer?

In the sixth petition, which is, "And lead us not into temptation, but delivered us from the evil one" (Matt. 6:13), we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted.  Jesus said to his disciples, "Stay awake and pray, so that you won't enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt. 26:41, HCSB).  Psalm 19:13 states, "Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule over me.  Then I will be innocent and cleansed from blatant rebellion."  Paul states, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity.  God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it" (1 Cor. 10:13, HCSB). John 17:15 states, "I [Jesus] am not praying that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one."

Summary

The final petition of the Lord's Prayer is a prayer for protection.  We live in a world that is under the curse of sin, and under the sway of the evil one.  However, Jesus is making all things new, and God the Father is bringing all things under Jesus' feet.  While we live in this world, for the glory of God, we will face opposition.  We are to look to our heavenly Father for protection from the evil one.

This article not only concludes our study on prayer, but also our walk through the Baptist Catechism. Are there questions you have that you would like me to answer?  Send me a message or leave a comment, and you might find your question the subject of future FAQs Mondays.