Matt. 6:5-15, Deliver Us From Evil (1)

We set out to study “ruomai,” the Greek verb “to deliver, rescue.”  But we could not get past the first reference for a lengthy time.  The first use is in “The Lord’s Prayer,” deliver us from evil (same as in Luke 11:4).  What I was reminded of was that often in the NT prayer requests are in the Greek imperative mood.  Does that mean we “command God” to give us what we ask for?  One online person took that to be the case as he sought to tell us to “command” God for healing and other miracles.  Permit me to share some things I discovered in my studies.

·       Each of the six requests in the Lord’s Prayer (hallowed, come, done, give, forgive and deliver) are imperatives.  The Blue Letter Bible description of the “imperative mood” in Greek is this:

Corresponds to the English imperative, and expresses a command to the hearer to perform a certain action by the order and authority of the one commanding. Thus, Jesus' phrase, "Repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mk.1:15) is not at all an "invitation," but an absolute command requiring full obedience on the part of all hearers.

·       That might sound too strong for use in prayer.  Here are some thoughts on this. First, Jesus is saying these words and teaching the disciples to pray.  God the Son would certainly come with confidence to make request of God the Father, and He would encourage His disciples to do the same. 

·       Second, we should also have such confidence since Jesus gave us authority to pray “in His name.”  Third, a study of Paul’s prayers shows that he used other forms.  For example, in Eph. 1:17 (give) and 3:16 (grant) he uses the Greek “subjunctive,” the mood of possibility.  He recognizes that his request has certain conditions attached, primarily that those he intercedes for are walking in faith and thus able to receive what Paul asks God to do. 

·       Paul also uses “hina clauses” (Greek purpose word, in order that) often in his praying.  In Eph. 3:16 “that (hina) He would give you.”  This term indicates Paul’s confidence that the Father desires to do what he asks. 

·       In the end, what is essential in any of this “confident” (free, bold, Heb. 4:16; 10:19; Eph. 3:12) praying is that we are assured that our prayer is “in His will.”  We come with imperatives because we are not coming asking Him to do our will but His will.  All six of the requests in the Lord’s Prayer fit that qualification.  So Jesus comes with assurance.  The imperative indicates we do not come with doubt, because that is never appropriate when we approach the Lord.   Matt. 14:13: Oh you of little faith; why did you doubt.  Mt. 21:21: if you have faith and do not doubt … it will be done. James 1:6: let him ask in faith with no doubting. 

There is more to come, but let us consider our coming before the Lord.  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Eph. 5:17).