As you may have guessed :
This series on prayer is based on the prayer Jesus taught his disciples (Matthew 6:9-13) - but in reverse order!
I wanted to start with 'deliverance from evil' because we all have to deal with issues we would prefer not to be involved with - health, business, political, family (to pull out a few examples) - and wish life was easier.
Then I wanted to end on the word 'Father' because your Father in Heaven 'so loved ... that He gave' (John 3:16).
Jesus triumphed over evil at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15) and through him we have the right to become Children of God (John 1:12).
The cross is the foundation on which a relationship with God expressed in prayer is built.
I'm reminded of the words of this song:
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
That's why I am a follower of Jesus - the cross touches me 100%, it reaches places other remedies don't go near.
I realised a long time ago 99% was not good enough.
The cross deals with the whole, not a part!
I am aware that this series on prayer only skims over the subject and there maybe things I could have done better.
This has been written that you might be built up in the faith and maybe go places in prayer I know nothing of.
It is written in faith that 'each of us has ... that the church may be built up' (1 Corinthians 14:26) - even me!
See also : 12 Ways to Pray