"Pray on Purpose"

Most of humanity wants to believe they are here for some kind of purpose. Preferably one that has an enough of an impact that we are remembered by those we care about. A life that lacks purpose can lead to depression and diminishes the value that should be ours. The God who created us did so on purpose. He gave you life on purpose and wants you to both realize and enjoy your purpose for being here. Over the past few blog posts we have been reviewing Matthew 6:9-13, commonly known as the Lord's Prayer. As we come toward the end of our study we find this final phrase, "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." You will not find it as easily in the NIV or ESV Bible translations for there is some academic question as to whether the phrase belongs. We are going to accept the long standing tradition and include it. The point here is not to enter into a discussion concerning textual criticism but to recognize that the closing phrase is a pretty good way to end any prayer. If you do not think it belongs you can find the same encouragement elsewhere in Scripture.

If we take this instruction seriously we will not only have a prayer to follow we also have purpose in life. Fellowship with our Heavenly Father is rewarding, comforting, and provides direction. The truth that the God of all creation finds great pleasure in having you as a child and looks forward to talking with you is a pretty good way to boost your personal value quotient. This Heavenly Father also has a kingdom yet to come, as well as a kingdom in the present. Our prayer for this kingdom to advance calls us to be involved as kingdom citizens. We also partake in the power provided to advance this kingdom. Acts 1:8, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” To provide a witness of an eternal kingdom with no death, pain, or sorrow, seems like a rewarding purpose for life. The reminder of power also points back to the "daily bread" phrase where we were prompted to reflect on our dependence and God's constant provision. God knows our needs and has the power to provide. In a world filled with reasons to feel insecure we have assurance that the Lord is involved, He is aware and He cares for His children.

God's glory is likewise never ending. Colossians 3:4 tells us we will share in that glory, "And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory." The wonder of Who the Lord is, is also ours to share in. 1 John 3:2, "Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is." We shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is. Quite the promise. Our call, our purpose, is to be involved in His kingdom, His power and His glory, forever. Not a bad purpose. In all we do, in all we say, in the life that He has given to us we have a purpose. We set His name apart as a name above all names. We labor, with joy, to see His kingdom advanced. We rest in His daily provision as we provide for others. We forgive in such a way that others can see how God forgives. We overcome tests and temptation by coming to Him for protection and rest. We are not just looking to the here and now for purpose but a purpose that is forever. Amen!

Escaping the Evil

How do you go about escaping the evil that rolls over us from the corrupt and fallen world that we inhabit? The Lord's direction is to make this a matter of prayer. Matthew recorded these instructions for us in Matthew 6. A pretty familiar passage that we refer to as the Lord's prayer. Praying to our heavenly Father is a positive activity. This model prayer encourages us to ask for some pretty common things, like bread, as well as some challenging things concerning His Kingdom and forgiveness. The disciples lived in very difficult times. The government of Rome was oppressive and demanding. Taxes were high and freedoms were being eroded. Most religious practices surrounding the disciples were a violation to all they held as sacred. The roadways and cities held many dangers. Robbery and assault were common. You did not travel alone, for there often were threats from wild animals and thieves. Luke 10 reveals those dangers in the story of the abused man and the good Samaritan. Evil was common and came in a variety of forms and from all directions. It should not be a surprise that this prayer includes instruction on deliverance from evil.

"But deliver us from evil" is a request that gets directly to the point. The NIV and NKJV translations add the word "one", personalizing the evil that assaults us. The added word is meant to help, however, it may diminish our struggle rather than clarify the assault. You could argue that all evil comes from the evil one, however, much of what we struggle with has become a part of the world we live in and is not personal attack by Satan, himself, on our lives. It would serve us well to take a deeper look at the words used here in Matthew. The Greek word for deliver here is, rhyomai, It means, to draw to one's self, to rescue. It is not the common Greek word, sōzō, often translated "save". Here in Matthew the request is to be drawn near to the One who can rescue us from evil. To be pulled in close to a place or person who can protect us, rescue us from the evil that we encounter all the time. It is may be a bit more relational than sozo. In the midst of our daily, moment by moment struggle with evil we need to be drawn near, to be protected, rescued from evil. This is not unlike what our Lord shared concerning His people in Luke 13:34, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!" We need to be drawn close under His wings to be protected, the question might be, are we willing?

What kind of evil does the Lord suggest we need to be rescued from? The Greek word here is, ponēros. The meaning of the word is pretty broad, meaning, pressed and harassed by labors, bringing toils, annoyances, perils, hardships, even disease or blindness. It is to be weighed down by all the trouble of the world. To be compressed and feel like there is no way out. Evil confines us and can rob us of the freedom to enjoy all that God has so graciously given us. We need deliverance, to be rescued, to be protected, from this kind of evil all the time. This evil is not just from the evil one; it comes from living in a fallen and broken world. I can generate this evil on my own. If we are honest, there are times when we need to be delivered from ourselves. To be delivered from past mistakes and failures that oppress and hem us in and keep us from moving forward with the Lord. Just as we need daily bread, we need daily deliverance. We need to take shelter under His wings or the evil that pervades our existence may crush us. 

The remedy to evil is His presence. The closer we are to Him the greater our protection. This does not mean that we will skate through life problem free. the Scriptures make it clear that struggles and pain are a part of this life. It does mean we do not have to go through it alone. There is security in the Lord even in the darkest of times. There are tests and trials that God allows to build my faith and encourage my faithfulness. However, I am certain that they will be easier to endure under the shelter of His wings. Today I need to be delivered from evil. I would guess that you do as well.