... But Deliver Us From Evil

by Galen Burkholder, international director of Global Disciples

As disciples of Jesus Christ we are engaged in a spiritual conflict with evil. The enemy of our souls pursues us to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8).   

In many parts of the world, we see spiritual battles raging in ways unfamiliar to most in the western church. Stories of demons, evil spirits and martyrdom may only be familiar to some of us in historical and biblical accounts.

You may even question some stories we report. But let me assure you that on the ground, face to face with demonic forces, doubts vanish and prayer becomes the lifeline.

Evil forces we encounter in the west are often more subtle. Our call to holy living is attacked with self-centered living, entertainment-stimulated lust and unforgiveness. But, if we justify these “small sins” as harmless and only human, they rob us of spiritual vitality and transforming power.

We will never bring healing to the nations and be true agents of God’s hope and reconciliation without personal holiness. For it is the Holy Spirit who longs to work in and through us – feeding the hungry, fighting human trafficking of all kinds and reaching 2 billion people who are still unreached!  

Jesus taught us to pray, “…deliver us from evil.” This is not a prayer simply to prepare us for action. Prayer, as Jesus taught us, is in itself action – a weapon for spiritual warfare able to subdue the most powerful forces in the world.

“Prayer is not undertaken instead of other actions,” Jim Wallis declares, “but as a foundation for all the rest of the actions we take.”