Deliver Us from Evil

My parents taught me to pray when I was just a little girl. Dutifully I would recite the words with difficulty, somethings stick with you. The Lord's Prayer has. There was no "what does that mean?" then. Now, there is no need to explain. Jesus gave us this perfect prayer and some may not believe in Him, but they certainly know now what evil is to some extent. The words are specific. "Deliver us from evil." That requires belief in a God that will, because of His love for us, provide protection.

Evil comes to us in many forms. What can eradicate those who choose to destroy others? Simply action. First, understand that we are not alone, God is with us, always. He will not leave us nor forsake us. Second, know that Love is stronger than Hate and it always wins in the end. Third, God tells us in His Word to "Be Not Afraid."

I sometimes recall a little decoration that I saw on the desk of the kids grandparents as they were growing up. Three monkeys said with their action over their ears, eyes and mouth, "see no evil, hear no evil, and say no evil." There are times when you must act in defense of the innocent, but wisely, not to provoke a more serious and growing conflict. Would it not be better if we were to grow love and not hate? Evil must be contained at all cost, there just is no other way.

It seems evil will always be with us, in many forms. So here's the challenge for today...Double your acts of kindness and show others you care. There are many who are needy in many ways. We can hold doors for others--it's okay to be civil and polite. Begin everything with a prayer, He is watching. Evil, like a virus, can and will be defeated.

We are a society of civilized people who have experienced a better way of life, if we so choose. Roll up your sleeves there is work to do, look around and stop complaining. We need ACTION!

As for those who simply decide not to choose love, nothing good will await them period. Like the movie 4th of July, they live to destroy us, and this action must be stopped. Can they change, maybe. Can we forgive, yes we can. That is what it is all about, love not hate. It seems by their action, they have decided their fate. You are what you choose to be. Your choice.

Since the beginning of time we see that the brothers Cain and Able did not get along, but that never changed the fact that they, like we are, brothers after all. What kind of world do we want to live in? One full of hate or one full of Love? The message is clear, "love one another." We must stop the spread of hatred and that is not an easy task. It will take unity and endless sacrifice. So what else is new? It is the message confronting us now, one that is not new to us, and it does not need defining--do or die.

 Lord, deliver us from evil, Amen.