Catechism Question 95
What is the sixth request in the Lord’s Prayer and what does it teach us regarding prayer?
The sixth request is “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” In it we learn to pray that God would protect us from Satan and his temptations, humbly recognizing our need for God and His grace to sustain and deliver us.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
This is the eighth in a series of questions on the Lord’s Prayer. In this question, we ask what is the sixth and final request in the Lord’s prayer and what it teaches us. This question follows the same format as the previous questions, asking the words of the request, and what the request teaches us regarding prayer. Additionally, as we saw in the previous questions, when we pray for this specific thing, we are also committing ourselves to work for it. It would not be possible to pray with the attitudes we saw in question 86 and then not labor to see these things done in our own life.
The answer to this question tells us two key things. First, we are to pray that God would protect us from Satan and His temptations. This is a straightforward request to not be placed in the path of Satan, evil, or temptation. Second, we ask this because we recognize that apart from God’s gracious sustaining power, we give in to Satan and his temptations all too easily.
It should be noted that many translations have “deliver us from evil” rather than “deliver us from the Evil One.” The Greek may be translated either way, and both aspects are certainly included in the prayer. Here we follow the NIV translation. [For more information about this translation choice, see the teaching “Praying for Our Deliverance” (February 2, 2014).]
Additional Questions:
What is the sixth request Jesus taught us to pray, and what does it teach us?
What do we learn to pray in the sixth request?
What do we learn to pray in the sixth petition?
Scripture References:
Matthew 6:9–13
“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Luke 11:1–4
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
Psalms 19:13
Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
John 17:15
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
1 Peter 5:8–10
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
James 1:12–15
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Romans 7:21–25
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
Ephesians 6:10–13
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 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. 13 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.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Questions for Further Discussion:
Why do we need to ask God to protect us from Satan, evil, and temptation?
If I pray and ask God to keep me from temptation, what actions should I take to line up with my prayer?
If I ask God to keep me from temptation, can I allow myself to act in a way that might lead others to sin? What are ways that my actions might tempt others to sin?
What things has God given to us to help us in the face of temptation and evil?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 127 of the Heidelberg Catechism and question 106 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg or Westminster Shorter Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teaching “Praying For Our Deliverance” (February 2, 2014), “Authentic Faith In A World of Illusion” (May 31, 2015), “Paradise Lost: The Fall of Humanity” (April 15, 2007), and “Protection Through Prayer” (September 26, 2004).
Suggested Worship Song:
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Martin Luther)
(This song is considered one of the greatest of the Reformation. It is based on Psalm 46, and expresses the great spiritual battle of which we are a part, that our foe is Satan, and that we need God’s help in this battle.)
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers,
no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
thru him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill;
God’s truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.