Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
–Matthew 6:9 (ESV)
The very first thing that Jesus teaches us to pray for is not our needs nor the needs of others. Instead, Jesus teaches that we should first pray that God’s name will be treated as holy. Very few of us (including myself) would ever put this as the top priority in our prayer list.
Now, God’s name is already holy (Isaiah 57:15). Even the angels in heaven cry out in praise saying, “Holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.” However, God’s name is not treated in the same way here on earth. Today, “Oh My God!” or OMG is a common expression of surprise when a person is wowed by someone or something. Sometimes God's name is used as an expletive. The name of Jesus Christ is spoken as profanity. Its use in this manner is prevalent in our culture today. It certainly is not said in worship and adoration. It is not even a cry of prayer. It is desecration of the name of God.
God’s name is tied to his reputation. He reveals his nature through his name. He is Elohim, the only God, the God over all gods, and the source and creator of all things. He is Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is the God who took Israel out of slavery in Egypt and into the Promised Land. He is the God who loved the world that he sent his only Son to die for our sins. It is a name that speaks of God’s power and glory. Jesus promised this when we pray and call out his name:
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
-John 14:13 (ESV)
So the first petition then pleads for His name to be set apart in people’s hearts and minds and lives (including ourselves) as the infinitely great and beautiful and valuable reality that it truly is. Let's not use his name lightly in our conversations. Let's demonstrate the proper respect of God's name. Let's make God look good in our speech.
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