“Hallowed Be Thy Name…”

This is the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer and possibly the most mysterious. I think Jesus makes this request first because it is the most important request of the prayer. 

This petition is first in order because it is the most important thing for us to pray both for ourselves and this world.

So, What does it mean?

The first meaning is that we want to see God revealed in all and by all. Its a request that we and all the world would understand him as holy, unique, separate, most worthy, most important, most to be praised, most worthy of adoration. 

It’s a request that He would be honored in his perfect character as most high, most loving, most powerful, most patient, slow to anger, most merciful and gracious, most true and good.

It is a petition that in all God’s characteristics he will finally bring his justice and blessing to this world.

When you pray this for yourself, 

you are asking God to reveal

more and more of himself to you.

When you pray this for someone else, 

you are praying that God, in all his character, will satisfy them and delight them.

When we pray this for the church,

we are asking him to make himself first and foremost in their hearts - that the church would be a place filled with the glory and wonder of God.

When we pray this for the world,

we are asking God not to be hidden from the eyes and hearts of the unbelieving.

When we pray this,

we are acknowledging that God is of first importance in this universe and there is not a close second. Not by 100,000 light years.

When I pray this, I pray for it first in myself, then my wife and daughters, then All Souls Church, then I specify people in my life - whether they be family, neighbors, or friends around the country and the world.

The best thing we can pray for one another is to see God and know him as he is not - as we have invented him in our minds. This prayer is a request to fulfill the first 3 of the 10 commandments each day. 

“You shall have no gods before Him”

(Idols)

“Do not make an image of him” 

(physically and mentally)

"Do not take his name in vain” 

(don’t mention God in an unworthy or throw away fashion)

This is actually your deepest need: to see God in your heart, imagination, in His Word, and in this world.

If you were only to pray one thing this would be it, 

“Hallowed be Your name.”

He or she who prays this not only prays well, but will also will live well.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Harvey