This last petition asks for that which is the end and object of all the other petitions as far as we ourselves are concerned. It begs of God in His mercy to deliver us from that evil which is for us the only evil worth the name, and to which all other evils lead, and are evil only because they lead to it. This evil is the eternal separation from God, which is the penalty of final impenitence. In other words, we pray in this final petition that God may save us from the unspeakable and irremediable misery of dying in sin, and so forfeiting the everlasting happiness of Heaven. How earnestly and constantly we should pray that God would, at the cost of any present suffering, save us from dying in sin.

If this petition is to be granted, we must seek now to make such a preparation for our last hour as may deliver us then from the power of the evil one. In this petition is included a prayer that the devil may then have no power to harm us. How can we secure this? (1) By keeping far away from wilful sin. (2) By a regular and careful examination of our conscience. (3) By a great devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. (4) By a frequent appeal to Mary and Joseph to be with us in the hour of death. (5) By a continual remembrance of the presence of God.

We end by summing up our petitions with that word which affirms our sincerity in all these requests that we ask of God. The word Amen adds a solemnity to our requests. It is a protest that our prayer comes from our heart. It is a declaration of our submission to the holy will of God. Is this true in my case? Do I really mean all that I have said in this prayer?