Matthew 6:9-13. “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'”
We ask for deliverance from the evil one because, until the return of Christ, the world remains a spiritual battlefield under the siege of Satan, sin, and hell. Scripture is clear about this reality: “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). Recognizing this is not about being pessimistic, but about having the wisdom to number our days and see the world as it truly is.
Without the power of prayer, it would be impossible to overcome these forces; as Jesus said, “This kind can come out only by prayer” (Mark 9:29). Without knowing the reality of the spiritual realm, we would eventually be forced to submit to the ways of the world. This is why we must pray for deliverance in every situation.
When you look at the world, do not be discouraged by the persistence of evil. The rebellion that began in Genesis 3 has created a cycle of curses passed from one generation to the next. We see the immediate impact of this in Genesis 4, where Cain lost hold of the blood covenant and committed the first murder in history.
Over time, human wickedness grew to such a point that every inclination of the heart was only evil, leading to the judgment of the flood (Genesis 6:5-6). Throughout history, mighty empires like Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Rome rose to power and spread evil, yet they all faced a tragic end. The same is true today; we should not be deceived by the temporary influence of modern nations or cultures.
To pray “deliver us from the evil one” is to acknowledge the source of this chaos. The “evil one” is Satan, the fallen cherub who was once chosen to stand before God’s throne (Ezekiel 28:14). Driven by pride, he sought to raise his own throne above the stars and make himself like the Most High (Isaiah 14:12-14).
This rebellion sparked a war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against Lucifer and his followers, and when Satan lost, he was cast down to the earth (Revelation 12:7-9). Ever since, he entered the ancient serpent to deceive Adam and Eve with the lie that they could be like God (Genesis 3:5).
When humanity sided with the devil, they lost their spiritual identity and authority. Since that moment, everyone has been born spiritually dead, subject to “the ruler of the kingdom of the air“—the spirit at work in those who follow their sinful nature (Ephesians 2:2-3). This spiritual death brought disasters and calamities that no human effort can undo. The devil has since seized control of human minds by promoting a culture of materialism and relentlessly attacking families and the church. He is highly organized, using specific strategies to block the gospel and create division.
The struggle we face is, therefore, not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, authorities, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). To prevail, we must put on the full armor of God so that we can stand strong when the day of evil comes (Ephesians 6:13). Relying on the power of Christ—who has already destroyed the devil’s work—is the only way to win this struggle.
Know your true identity as a child of God (John 1:12), your true authority in Christ (Matthew 28:16-20), and your true background in heaven (Philippians 3:20). With these, you have everything you need to be victorious.
Prayer. Father, grant me the power of prayer that overcomes the evil one. Help me to stay alert to the schemes of the enemy and to stand firm in the authority You have given me through Jesus Christ. In His name, Amen.