“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’” Matthew 6:9 NIV
The phrase “hallowed be your name” may seem a little awkward to us, but in the Near East the idea of “name” stood for the person, his authority, his character and his activity. When Jesus tells us that the Father’s “name” is holy, He means that the Father’s entire Person is holy. “Name” can be used as a substitute for a person himself. To paraphrase, “Father, hallowed be your name” means, “Father, may you be treated with the respect and honour that your holiness demands”. It is common for Christians, particularly Christians who come to faith later on in their lives, to have a rather profane vocabulary where they are in the habit of using God’s name often, and sometimes almost as a swearword. If, when being surprised, we say “Lord!” or “Christ!” or “Jesus!” or “God!”, we are using God’s holy name in a profane and common way. We are not reverencing His name, but debasing it. As disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to discipline our mouths and our hearts to reverence the Father’s name. By including the words “hallowed be your name” in our prayers means that we are to approach the Father, not only with familiarity, but also with reverence and respect for His greatness and holiness. He is our “Dad” but He is also Holy. As we continue to learn about prayer, growing and maturing in our prayer life, let us never forget this.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Heavenly Father, we come to You in awe of Your greatness.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, as we continue to learn about prayer, growing and maturing in our prayer life, may we never forget Your holiness and greatness. AMEN
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
1 Samuel 25:2-8
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