What does "hallowed be Your name" teach about reverence in prayer? Setting the Scene “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.’” (Matthew 6:9) Defining “Hallowed” • “Hallowed” means to treat as holy, to set apart, to honor with the highest reverence. • The verb carries the idea of actively recognizing God’s absolute purity and perfection. • It is not a request that God become holy—He already is (Isaiah 6:3)—but that His holiness be acknowledged and exalted by us. Reverence at the Center of Prayer • Jesus places reverence before requests; worship comes ahead of petitions. • Addressing God as “Father” balances intimacy with awe—He is accessible yet utterly holy. • By beginning with God’s honor, we align our hearts with the ultimate purpose of all creation: “to the praise of His glorious grace” (Ephesians 1:6). • Reverence guards against treating prayer as a shopping list; it re-centers us on Who matters most. • “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God… let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:1–2) echoes the same call to respectful restraint. Scriptural Echoes • Leviticus 10:3: “I will be regarded as holy by those who approach Me.” • Psalm 111:9: “Holy and awesome is His name.” • Isaiah 29:23: “They will sanctify My name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob.” • 1 Peter 1:15-16: “Be holy, for I am holy.” • Hebrews 12:28-29: “Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Practical Ways to Hallow His Name Today • Speak of God with honor—avoid casual or flippant references. • Praise before petition: start prayers by declaring God’s attributes. • Obey promptly; actions that reflect His character hallow His name before others (Matthew 5:16). • Guard corporate worship from entertainment-centered attitudes; aim for God-centered awe (Psalm 95:6). • Witness with integrity—our lives either profane or proclaim His holiness (Titus 2:10). Taking It to Heart When Jesus teaches “hallowed be Your name,” He invites every believer to approach God with a heart that treasures His holiness above all else. Reverence is not an optional tone but the foundational posture that shapes every other part of prayer. |
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