A. 7 - But Deliver Us from Evil. Amen.

But Deliver Us from Evil. Amen.

The Lord has already taught us to pray for forgiveness of our sins, and how we can avoid temptations. (Parallel texts: ST I-II.69.3, ad 3; a. 4; ST II-II.45.1, 6; In III Sent. 34.1.4.) In this petition, he teaches us to pray to be preserved from evil, and indeed from all evil in general, such as sin, illness, affliction, and all others, as Augustine explains it. But since we have already mentioned sin and temptation, we now must consider other evils, such as adversity and all afflictions of this world. From these God preserves us in a fourfold manner.

First, he preserves us such that affliction does not come. Yet this is very rare because it is the lot of the just in this world to suffer, for it is written: all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Tim 3:12). Once in a while, however, God does prevent a man from being afflicted by some evil; this is when he knows such a one to be weak and unable to bear it. Just so a physician does not prescribe violent medicines to a weak patient. Behold, I have given before you a door opened, which no man can shut; because you have little strength (Rev 3:8). In heaven this will be a general thing, for there no one shall be afflicted. In six troubles, namely, of this present life, which is divided into six periods, he shall deliver you, and in the seventh, evil shall not touch you (Job 5:19). They shall no more hunger nor thirst (Rev 7:16).

Second, God delivers us from afflictions when he consoles us amidst them. For unless he console us, we could not long persevere: we were pressed out of measure above our strength so that we were weary even of life (2 Cor 1:8). But God, who comforts the humble, comforted us (2 Cor 7:6). According to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart, your comforts have given joy to my soul (Ps 94 [93]:19)**.

Third, God bestows so many good things upon those who are afflicted that their evils are forgotten: after the storm you make a calm (Tob 3:22). The afflictions and trials of this world, therefore, are not to be feared, both because consolations accompany them and because they are of short duration, as the Apostle says: for that which is at present momentary and light of our tribulation, works for us above measure exceedingly an eternal weight of glory (2 Cor 4:17). For from these one arrives at eternal life.

Fourth, we are preserved from afflictions in this way that all temptations and trials are conducive to our own good. We do not pray: deliver us “from tribulation,” but from evil. This is because tribulations bring a crown to the just, and for that reason the saints rejoiced in their sufferings: we glory also in tribulations, knowing that tribulation works patience (Rom 5:3). In time of tribulation you forgive sins (Tob 3:13)**.

God, therefore, delivers man from evil and from affliction by converting them to his good which is a sign of supreme wisdom, since it belongs to wisdom to divert evil to good. This happens through patience, which results in bearing trials. The other virtues operate by good things, but patience operates in evil things. And, indeed, it is very necessary in evil things, namely, in adversity: the learning of a man is known by his patience (Prov 19:11).

The Holy Spirit through the gift of wisdom has us use this prayer, and by it we arrive at supreme happiness which is the reward of peace. For it is by patience we obtain peace, whether in time of prosperity or of adversity. For this reason the peacemakers are called the children of God, because they are like to God in this, that nothing can hurt God and nothing can hurt them, whether it be prosperity or adversity: blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God (Matt 5:9)**.

Amen is a general ratification of all the petitions.

A Short Explanation of the Whole Lord’s Prayer

By way of brief summary, it should be known that the Lord’s Prayer contains all that we ought to desire and all that we ought to avoid. Now, of all desirable things, that must be most desired which is most loved, and that is God.

Therefore, you seek, first of all, the glory of God when you say: hallowed be thy name.

You should desire three things from God which concern yourself.

The first is that you may arrive at eternal life. And you pray for this when you say: thy kingdom come.

The second is that you do the will of God and his justice. You pray for this in the words: thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

The third is that you may have the necessities of life. And thus you pray: give us this day our daily bread.

Concerning all these things the Lord says: seek ye first the kingdom of God, which complies with the second, and all these things shall be added unto you, (Matt 6:33) as in accord with the third.

We must avoid and flee from all things which are opposed to the good. For, as we have seen, good is above all things to be desired. This good is fourfold.

First, there is the glory of God, and no evil is contrary to this: if you sin, what shall you hurt him? And if you do justly, what shall you give him? (Job 35:6). Whether it be the evil inasmuch as God punishes it, or whether it be the good in that God rewards it, all redound to his glory.

The second good is eternal life, to which sin is contrary: because eternal life is lost by sin. And so to remove this evil we pray: forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

The third good is justice and good works, and temptation is contrary to this, because temptation hinders us from doing good. We pray, therefore, to have this evil taken away in the words: lead us not into temptation.

The fourth good is all the necessities of life, and opposed to this are troubles and adversities. And we seek to remove them when we pray: but deliver us from evil. Amen.