November 8, 2023

Written by Jim Cantelon on November 8, 2023. Posted in Blog.

I was in studio yesterday recording December’s “Jim Cantelon Today” TV shows. Currently I’m in the book of Matthew and presenting Jesus’ teaching on prayer in his “Sermon On the Mount”. It’s the best template for prayer from the Son of God Himself. It is timeless and covers everything. Indeed it is totally relevant to our day.

At one point he says, “and deliver us from evil”. In the original biblical language it reads, “and deliver us from the evil one” (referring to Satan). The Bible describes this evil one as a “roaring lion” seeking whom he may “kill and destroy”. It also identifies him as “the father of lies”. He is also “Prince of the power of the darkness of the air”. Why the Lord has given him this executive authority to destroy is a mystery. Yet it is for a limited time. His evil has a shelf life.

For us, however, we find ourselves praying “Lord how long?” How much more evil can we take? How much more before our world implodes? How many more lying leaders, environmental disasters, wars and rumours of war can we take. We’re dying with anxiety.

Jesus goes on, however, saying, “Think not what the morrow bringeth. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof”. He sees the big picture. He knows that our Father in Heaven is not surprised by what surprises us because He is omniscient. In that knowledge He provides for outcomes- He is provident. What’s more He is sovereign. He has not taken his hands off the wheel.

It’s tough to yield to the higher plan and will of our Father, yet Jesus modelled this submission himself when in the Garden of Gethsemane, agonizing over his impending crucifixion, he prayed “Not my will but Thine be done”. This is the ultimate prayer. So, even if the words stick in our throats at this crisis time in our world, let us pray that prayer too. Ultimately we’re in His hands.

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