Teach Us to PraySýnishorn

The Essence of Prayer

“ Hallowed be your name.”

In the midst of the Lord's Prayer, nestled within its sacred words, we find a powerful declaration: "Hallowed be your name.” To hallow God's Name means to recognise and acknowledge the Sacredness, Holiness, and Uniqueness of who God is. It's not merely a phrase we recite but a heartfelt plea to set apart His Name as Holy, above all else.

It is noteworthy that in the Book of Revelation, the four living beings offer ceaseless praise, day and night, declaring, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty." Their refrain is not "Love, Love, Love is God Almighty" or "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy is God Almighty," but a resounding emphasis on the Holiness of God. We are summoned to revere Him, bestow honour upon Him, and lift Him high, for His Holiness is beyond compare.

When we pray "Hallowed be your name," it signifies a profound acknowledgment of God's Holiness, a quality often overlooked in a world characterised by irreverence and the trivialisation of the Divine. This phrase serves as a poignant reminder for us to discern the Pure and Sacred Nature of His Name.

Moreover, our prayers are not confined to mere words; they hold the power to illuminate God's Name in a world that often remains in darkness. We beseech that His Name be sanctified, not only within our own lives but also within the lives of those who surround us. By embodying His Truth and Grace, we transform into emissaries of His Name, affording others the opportunity to encounter His Holiness through our deeds.

To hallow God's Name encompasses a pursuit of personal holiness. It involves aligning our existence with the very essence of God's Character, permitting His Holiness to undertake a transformative work within us. As we draw nearer to Him, we find ourselves gradually shaped in His Likeness, radiating His Love, Mercy, and Grace.

"Hallowed be your name" serves as a clarion call for us to extend God's Love and Grace to others. By forgiving those who have wronged us, showing compassion to those who are in need, and practising love and kindness in our daily lives, we faithfully mirror God's Character, thereby bringing honour and glory to His Name.

"Hallowed be your name" also serves as an invitation to strive for the glorification of God's Name within our families, workplaces, and the nations we inhabit.

Yes, Lord, may Your Name be exalted and revered in every facet of my existence. In my interactions with others, in my forgiveness for those who have wronged me, in my compassion for the needy, and in the love and kindness I practice each day, I strive to magnify Your Divine Character, thus bestowing honour and glory upon Your Name.

Reflection Questions

• Can you identify areas in your life or work where you need to hallow God’s Name?
• As you ponder the profound significance of hallowing God's Name publicly, how can you actively incorporate these principles into your daily life?
• In your journey of hallowing God's Name and pursuing personal holiness, what specific steps can you take today to be a more effective ambassador of His Love and Grace in the world around you?

Prayer

As I seek to hallow Your Name, grant me the wisdom and strength to be an ambassador of Your Love, Grace, and Truth. Guide me in the pursuit of personal holiness, transforming me from the inside out to be more like You. Help me to forgive as You forgive, to show compassion as You do, and to practice love and kindness in all my interactions. May my prayers and actions bring honour to Your Name, and may Your Name be known and revered in every corner of the world. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.