_How we pray for this Deliverance_. God wills that we should sometimes suffer affliction, in order that our repentance and faith may be increased. [Isa. 48:10+, Rev. 3:19+, II Cor. 4:17, 18] Consequently, our prayer for deliverance from evil in this world is a prayer: 1. That, whenever it is possible according to His will, God would ward off affliction from us. 2. That He would give us grace to bear patiently those afflictions which He sends, [II Cor. 12:9+, Rom 8:28] and would make them a blessing in disguise for us. 3. That in His own time He would remove from us whatever distresses us. [I Sam. 2:6, 7] We should not grow discouraged or despondent under affliction, but trust in God's mercy and bear our cross cheerfully. [Matt. 10:38] And we should see to it that we do not, by our own sin and folly, bring upon ourselves evils which might have been avoided. II. IN THE NEXT WORLD. In this world we shall have to endure some evils as long as we live. [John 16:33] But if we are faithful, God will not only overrule them all for our good, [Gen. 50:20] but will finally, at death, deliver us from all evil. [II Tim. 4:18] AND AT LAST, WHEN THE HOUR OF DEATH SHALL ARRIVE, GRANT US A HAPPY END. An unhappy death is the worst of all evils. But a happy death will more than compensate for all the evils endured in this world. [Rom. 8:18+] A happy death will be ours, if we persevere in the faith and die in Christ. [Rev. 14:13+] For then God will pardon all our sins for Jesus' sake, AND GRACIOUSLY TAKE US FROM THIS WORLD OF SORROW TO HIMSELF IN HEAVEN. [Rev. 7:14-15] There all evils shall cease for ever. [Rev. 21:4+] For sin, and all that follows upon sin, shall be no more. In this entrance into heaven at last, all our highest hopes and prayers shall find their complete and eternal fulfilment. QUESTIONS.--1. What do we pray for in this petition? 2. What connection exists between the sixth and seventh petitions? 3. Why is this petition called a summary? 4. From what kind of evils do we suffer in this world? 5. How do we pray for deliverance from evil in this world? 6. When shall we be completely delivered from all evil? 7. What is to be said about a happy end? 8. Why shall we suffer from no evil in heaven? SCRIPTURE VERSES.--Isa. 48:10. Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver: I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. Rev. 3:19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. II Cor. 12:9. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Rom. 8:18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be repealed in us. Rev. 14:13. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.