The Seventh Petition

"But deliver us from evil"

COMPENDIUM

In these words, we ask God to deliver us from evils past, present and future, especially from the greatest of all evils, which is sin, and from eternal damnation, which is its punishment.

We say "evil" and not "evils," because we cannot expect to be free from all evils in this life, but only from those which may hurt our souls, and therefore we ask to be delivered from evil in general, that is to say, from all that God sees to be evil for us. But it is quite legitimate to ask God to be delivered from any evil in particular, always putting ourselves under the will of God, who is able even to order this particular trial to the profit of our soul. For trials and tribulations help us to do penance for our sins, to practice virtues, and, above all, to imitate Jesus Christ our Head, to whom it is but just that we should conform in suffering if we would be partakers of His glory.

The Amen at the end of the Pater noster means "So be it, thus I wish, thus I beg the Lord, and thus I hope."

To obtain the graces asked for in the Pater noster, it should be recited without haste, giving heed to the meaning, not merely with the lips, but with the heart. it should be said every day, because every day, we need the help of God.

CATECHISM

317. What do we ask in the Seventh Petition: but deliver us from evil?

In the Seventh Petition: but deliver us from evil, we ask God to free us from evils, past, present, and future, and particularly from the greatest of all evils which is sin, and from eternal damnation, which is its penalty.

318. Why do we say: deliver us from evil, and not: from evils?

We say: deliver us from evil, and not: from evils, because we should not desire to be exempt from all the evils of this life, but only from those which are not good for our souls; and hence we beg liberation from evil in general, that is, from whatever God sees would be bad for us.

319. Is it not lawful to beg liberation from some evil in particular, for example, from sickness?

Yes, it is lawful to beg liberation from some evil in particular but always in bowing to the will of God, who may even ordain that particular affliction for the good of our soul.

320. How do the tribulations, which God sends us, help us?

Tribulations help us to do penance for our sins, to practice virtue, and above all to imitate Jesus Christ, our Head, to whom it is fitting we should conform ourselves in our sufferings, if we wish to have a share in His glory.

321. What is the meaning of Amen at the end of the Our Father?

Amen means: So be it; So I do desire; Thus do I pray the Lord; Thus do I hope.

322. To obtain the graces asked in the Our Father is it enough to recite it any way at all?

To obtain the graces asked in the Our Father we must recite it without haste and with attention; and we must put our heart into it.

323. When should we say the Our Father?

We should say the Our Father every day, because every day we have need of God's help.