Saint Cyprian’s Treatise on the Lord’s Prayer offers a deep reflection on Christian identity, divine grace, and moral duty, emphasizing the profound impact of recognizing God as “Father.” This work explores how this relationship shapes believers’ lives, urging them to live out their faith authentically in both spiritual devotion and daily actions. It highlights the prayer’s role in guiding Christians to align closely with God’s will, merging grace with moral responsibility. 

Saint Cyprian reflects on “And do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one.”

In this petition, the Lord instructs us in the Prayer to say, ” And do not subject us to the final test.” (Mt. 6:13, NABRE). This phrase reveals that the adversary has no power over us unless God allows it. Therefore, our fear, devotion, and mindfulness should be directed toward God, as the evil one can only act with the permission given by God. This is evident in Scripture, which records how “Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it” and “the Lord delivered it into his hands” (2 Kings 24:11, NABRE). The power given to the evil one over us is often a consequence of our sins, as Scripture says: “Who handed Jacob over to become loot, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the Lord, against whom we have sinned? For they would not follow his ways; they did not obey his law. So he poured out on them his burning anger” (Is. 42:24-25, NABRE). Similarly, when Solomon sinned and turned away from the commandments of the Lord, it is written: “The Lord then raised up an adversary against Solomon” (1 Kings 11:14, NABRE).

Power is granted to be used against us for two main reasons: as punishment when we sin and as a test to prove our faith, as seen in the story of Job. God made this clear when He said to Satan, “Everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger” (Job 1:12, NABRE). Jesus, during His Passion, reminded us of this truth when He said to Pilate, “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above” (Jn. 19:11, NABRE). When we pray not to be led into temptation, we are reminded of our own weakness and need for humility. This prayer helps us avoid the prideful assumption that we can overcome temptation or achieve spiritual victories on our own. Jesus taught us this humility when He instructed His disciples, “Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mt. 26:41, NABRE). Therefore, it is important to approach God with a humble heart, acknowledging that any strength we have comes from Him.

After all these petitions, the Prayer concludes with a brief but powerful request: “But deliver us from the evil one” (Mt. 6:13, NABRE). This final plea sums up all our desires and concerns, asking God to protect us from everything the enemy may devise against us. By asking for deliverance from the evil one, we seek God’s protection, which ensures our safety from all harm that the devil or the world might inflict. As Scripture assures us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31, NABRE). Once we have asked for God’s protection against the evil one, there is nothing more for which we need to pray because this request encompasses all that we need for our security and salvation.

It is no wonder, beloved brothers and sisters, that the Prayer taught by the Lord is so concise, as it encapsulates all our needs in a single, saving petition. This was foretold by the prophet Isaiah, who, inspired by the Holy Spirit, spoke of God’s majesty and fatherly kindness: “For the Lord will execute his sentence on the earth quickly and decisively” (Is. 10:22-23, NABRE). When the Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, came to teach all people, He summarized His teachings in a way that could be easily remembered by everyone, regardless of their learning. For example, when He taught about eternal life, He condensed the profound mystery of life into a simple statement: “Now this is eternal life: that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ” (Jn. 17:3, NABRE).

Similarly, when Jesus summarized the Law and the Prophets, He said: “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mk. 12:29-31; Deut. 6:4-5; Lev. 19:18; Mt. 22:37-40). Additionally, Jesus provided a simple yet comprehensive rule for moral conduct: “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets” (Mt. 7:12, NABRE).

The Lord not only taught us to pray through His words but also through His actions. He often withdrew to solitary places to pray, as Scripture records: “He would withdraw to deserted places to pray” (Lk. 5:16, NABRE). Another time, it is written, “He went up the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God” (Lk. 6:12, NABRE). If Jesus, who was without sin, felt the need to pray frequently, how much more should we, who are sinners, devote ourselves to prayer? And if Jesus, who was sinless, kept vigil in prayer throughout the night, how much more should we, who are weak, watch and pray earnestly?

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