Lord's Prayer: Hallowed Be Thy NameSýnishorn

Praying that God would make holy his name implies he’s worthy of it.

God and his name are not easily separated. His name speaks to who he is, what he’s like, what he’s done, and what we can expect of him.

A good name is important. We might think of it as his reputation. The Bible is interested in telling us about God’s reputation. Or better, about telling us why we can love and trust God because of his reputation.

Sometimes people fixate on select stories in the Bible where God judges people, or maybe strange Old Testament laws that seem harsh or outdated. They judge God solely through that lens while sifting out all the other examples of his patience, love, power, and mercy. Others see bad things happen in the world, and assume God doesn’t care, isn’t involved, is just plain cold, or maybe even mean. They don’t see him as having a good reputation.

The Bible challenges that. It’s chock-full of story after story showing that God is involved, God does care, and God does intervene. It’s giving us a baseline through history of all the ways God has been faithful and has come to save. And based on that reputation, it invites us to hope in him when we face those times in life of doubt and uncertainty.

What is Jesus telling us to pray? Father, people are doubting you. Show yourself. Deliver! Save! Show them how you live up to your Biblical reputation. Show them that you are great. Hallowed be thy name!

Consider this today…

In what area of life are you doubting God? Where are you losing sight of his reputation? What do you want God to do that’s in line with what he’s shown in the past? Pray for that boldly, and ask God to make holy his name in that way.