Reverence For God Begins With His Name – Sunday Thought For The Day

In Matthew 6:9-13, we read the “Lord’s Prayer.” Verse nine reads: “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” (KJV) But have you ever reflected upon what it means to call God’s name “Hallowed?”

Strong’s Bible Dictionary says the assignation “Hallowed” is: “From hagios; to make holy, i.e., purify or consecrate; to venerate.” I think the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary says it best: “Hallowed be, i.e., “Be held in reverence; regarded and treated as holy.”

“The name of God is a Hebraism for God himself, his attributes, and his works.” (Benson Commentary)

When we call upon the name of the Lord our God we are to remember to “Whom” it is we are speaking. We are speaking to the Creator of heaven and earth. We are speaking to “Him” who holds “existence” in His hand and we aren’t to take that lightly or casually.

It is equally important to remember “Whom” it is we’re referencing when we start telling jokes about God and/or using His name as a careless exclamation of shock, anger, etc.

God’s name, is absolutely and objectively “holy in itself.” When we pray, saying “Hallowed be they name,” we must recognize God is above all and that He has no equals and no peers and speak to Him as such.

God is not the “big guy upstairs” and His name most certainly is not the prefix to “damn.”

If we are to have our prayers answered, we must remember to whom it is we are speaking. God’s name is not to be disrespected and yet even Christians mouth His name in prayer with no thought or consideration whatsoever for Whom it is we are speaking to.

Sadly, many people who claim to be Christians show less concern for how they reference God than they do for their front lawn or new car. They speak to God as if they were ordering a pizza with extra toppings or as if they were talking to a drinking buddy.

It should be obvious to us that there is a significant reason Jesus said, “Hallowed be thy name” immediately after he said, “Our Father.” It is because God is to be preeminent and honored above all else. It is because we are talking to God.

And, how a person talks to God and about God – will tell us not only how much they respect God, but also to what extent they even believe in Him.

Read: Matthew 6:9-14 (KJV)
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.