Hallowed Be Thy Name

In a discipleship class, the participants were asked to monitor their prayer requests in a prayer journal.

The purpose was to keep track of things they would present to God. By doing so, they were encouraged to pray beyond their own individual needs.

What are some things we pray for? Good health? Healing? A promotion? More money? It's interesting that Jesus told us to pray, "Our Father in heaven, may Your name be kept holy," or "hallowed be Your name" (Matthew 6:9 NKJV). Hallow, a seldom-used word, is used four other times in the Bible. What does it mean? To hallow God's name is to:

• Believe and trust in God. In Numbers 20, instead of obeying God and speaking to the rock to obtain water, Moses struck it twice. God indicted Moses of sin: "You did not trust Me enough to demonstrate My holiness to the people" (v.12).

• Fear God more than we fear men. When we're caught in a hostile situation, God reminds us to make Him "holy in your life. He is the one you should fear" (Isaiah 8:13).

• Obey God's commandments. After instructing the people in the importance of holiness (Lev. 17–26), Moses concluded with these words from God, "You must faithfully keep all My commands by putting them into practice. . . . Do not bring shame on My holy name" (22:31-32).

• Glorify God by living holy lives. God's glory is present in His holiness (Leviticus 10:3). And God is glorified when we live holy lives. "You must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy" (1 Peter 1:15). Jesus tells us to pray that we will honor, revere, and glorify God as the holy Father. We honor God's name when we trust Him, fear Him, obey Him, and live a holy life. , K.T. Sim

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