Hallowing God's Name: The Power of Prayer and Surrender

Prayer: Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed Be Your Name

When it comes to prayer, Jesus taught us to prioritize one thing above all else: the hallowing of God's name. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus instructs us to pray, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name" (Matthew 6:9). This is not a declaration or acclamation, but a supplication—a humble request to God that He would ensure His name is hallowed in us, in the church, and in the world.

For a long time, I misunderstood the Lord's Prayer as a proclamation of praise rather than a petition. I thought it began with, "Praise God, the Lord's name is hallowed, revered, honored!" But that's not the case. Jesus is instructing us to ask God to see to it that His own name is hallowed.

It reminds me of another passage in Matthew, where Jesus tells us to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest (Matthew 9:38). It's astonishing that we, as laborers, are instructed to ask the owner of the farm, who knows the harvest better than we do, to send more workers. Similarly, Jesus is asking us to ask God, who is infinitely jealous for the honor of His name, to ensure that His name is hallowed, honored, revered, and exalted as supremely precious.

This teaches us two important lessons about prayer. First, prayer does not move God to do things He is disinclined to do. He already intends to hallow His name, and nothing is higher on His priority list. But we should still ask. Our prayers align our hearts with God's purposes.

Second, prayer is God's way of aligning our priorities with His. When we bring our hearts into line with God's jealousy for His name's honor, our prayers become powerful. When our first and most important prayer is for the hallowing of God's name, we tap into the power of God's jealousy for His own glory.

Now, let's dive deeper into the significance of hallowing God's name. The concept of "hallowed" means to set apart as holy, to revere and honor as sacred. In the Bible, the name of God represents His nature, character, and reputation. When we pray for God's name to be hallowed, we are asking for His nature and character to be revered and honored in everything.

In Exodus 20:7, God commands, "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." This commandment reminds us of the holiness of God's name and the weight it carries. When we use God's name flippantly or disrespectfully, we diminish its sanctity and dishonor God Himself.

By praying for God's name to be hallowed, we are acknowledging His holiness and committing ourselves to honor and revere Him. It is an act of surrender and submission to His lordship. When we hallow God's name, we recognize that He is above all, and we align our lives with His will.

Throughout the Bible, we see examples of individuals and communities hallowing God's name. In Psalm 111:9, it says, "He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!" The psalmist recognizes the holiness and awesomeness of God's name and praises Him for His faithfulness and redemption.

In Isaiah 6:3, we read, "And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'" This is the famous vision of Isaiah in the temple, where he sees the seraphim declaring the holiness of God. The repetition of "holy" emphasizes the sacredness and purity of God's name.

In the New Testament, we see Jesus Himself hallowing God's name. In John 12:27-28, Jesus prays, "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.' Then a voice came from heaven: 'I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.'" Jesus acknowledges the significance of God's name and prays for His name to be glorified.

As followers of Christ, it is our responsibility to join in the hallowing of God's name. We are called to live in a way that brings honor and glory to Him. Our words, actions, and attitudes should reflect the holiness of God and draw others to Him. When we pray for the hallowing of God's name, we are asking for His reputation to be exalted and magnified through us.

So, how can we practically hallow God's name in our lives? It begins with a heart surrendered to God and a desire to live for His glory. Here are a few ways we can actively hallow God's name:

1. Worship: Engage in sincere and heartfelt worship of God. Offer Him praise, adoration, and thanksgiving. Sing songs that exalt His name and declare His greatness. Make worship a central part of your daily life.

2. Obedience: Live in obedience to God's Word. Seek to align your actions with His commands. Let your life be a testimony of God's goodness, grace, and holiness. Obeying God's Word is a tangible way of hallowing His name.

3. Prayer: Dedicate specific time to pray for the hallowing of God's name. Pray for His name to be honored in your life, your family, your church, and the world. Ask God to reveal any areas where His name is not being hallowed and seek His guidance to make the necessary changes.

4. Witness: Share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. Be a light in the darkness and a reflection of God's love and grace. Let your words and actions bring honor to God's name and draw others to Him.

5. Intimacy with God: Cultivate a deep and personal relationship with God. Spend time in His presence, seeking His face and listening to His voice. The more we know God, the more we will desire to hallow His name and live for His glory.

Remember, hallowing God's name is not just a one-time prayer or a one-time action. It is a lifelong commitment to honor and revere Him in all that we do. It is a daily surrender of our lives to His lordship and a constant pursuit of His glory.

As we hallow God's name, we will experience the power and presence of God in our lives. We will see His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Our prayers will have a greater impact, and our lives will bear witness to the greatness of our God.

So, let us pray with fervency and passion, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." Let us commit ourselves to the hallowing of God's name in every aspect of our lives, and may His name be exalted and glorified in all the earth. Amen.