NEARLY EVERY DAY WE READ OR HEAR ABOUT great dangers and tragedies—terrorist bombings, nuclear threats, frightening predictions of pandemic viruses, devastating hurricanes, destructive wildfires. The daily news of natural and man-made tragedies is causing many to ask, "How can I pray about these things to help bring a greater sense of peace, well-being, and protection to myself, my family, community, and the world?"
Christ Jesus taught humanity how to be safe in the midst of evil. By knowing that true security is wherever God is—and that God is everywhere—Jesus nullified both the ferocity of nature and the malice of mortals. His understanding of God as a merciful Creator, not wrathful or retributive, empowered him to still a storm that threatened to sink the boat he and his disciples were in (see Matt. 8:23–26). He also passed safely through a violent mob intent on throwing him off a cliff (see Luke 4:28–30).
The words Jesus told his followers to pray to our loving Father include, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever" (Matt. 6:13). Jesus knew that one cannot be delivered from evil by means of fear, hatred, revenge, and other emotional reactions. Evil does not destroy evil. The way to be delivered from evil is to have the kingdom of divine Love, God, reign in our hearts. Jesus' remarkable healings of disease and sin were rooted in the omnipresence and omnipotence of God. He said, "If I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you" (Luke 11:20).
