Hallowed Be Your Name
Monday— “…hallowed be Your name…” Matthew 6:9
“Oh God, I hate when that happens!” “Jesus Christ, won’t you ever learn!” “Oh my God! Can you believe that?” Those words should make us cringe. If they don’t, something’s wrong. We’ve stopped hallowing the name of the LORD. His name should be uttered with the utmost reverence. That’s what “hallowed” means. Jesus included it in His model prayer to remind us that before we pray, we need to remember just Who we’re addressing. If we claim to honor Him, how can we then use His name as a sarcastic exclamation point? Worship is not reserved for Sundays. His name is always hallowed—even when we’re upset.
There are other ways we fail to keep God’s name holy, such as referring to Him as “The Big Guy in the Sky,” “The Man Upstairs”, or uttering “Good Lord!” Those are not just silly phrases that have nothing to do with the LORD. (No one cries “Oh, Buddha! or “Good Mohammed.”) Our misuse of God’s name DOES refer to the true God. It’s the same reason people drop F-bombs. They’re trying to add a little shock value, emphasize a point. But we don’t have the right to use God’s holy name for our trivial purposes. His name must be honored—especially by those who claim to know Him. We should use His hallowed name only to speak TO or ABOUT Him. So Jesus included a reminder of God’s holiness in the first words of His prayer.
Challenge: In what ways have you failed to treat God’s name as holy?
Prayer: Father, please forgive me for the flippant ways I’ve treated your holy name. Your name is hallowed, and when I refer to you, may it always be with the highest respect. Put a guard over my mouth so my words never dishonor your name. Amen.
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Tuesday— The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
What do you think of when you see these names: Nike (swoosh, shoes), McDonalds (hamburgers, golden arches), Microsoft (computers, software)? The names themselves are nothing, just a collection of letters or sounds. Their power lies in what the name implies. That’s what this verse means. The name “Yahweh” is not a magic wand we wave over problems. But it has power because of all it implies. When we run to it, we’re calling on all the qualities of God’s character: love, justice, mercy, wisdom, strength… His name is stamped on all His promises, so we run to them, secure in knowing He keeps them.
In this verse, His name is compared to a strong tower, a fortress. When enemies attack, we can run to Him for protection (“Lord, defend me from these vicious lies!”). When challenges threaten our peace, we run to Him for comfort (“Lord, this medical test is scaring me. Please be with me.”) When depression hits, we claim His promise that “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you” (Is. 26:3). Running to God’s name is an act of worship. We acknowledge that He is our defender, our refuge, and our strength. We boldly place our trust in His name and all it stands for. Worship is resting in the knowledge that His name is stronger than Fort Knox and it’s not a name we take lightly.
Challenge: Meditate on ways the LORD has been your strong tower. It will add a sense of reverence to your prayers.
Prayer: Lord God, you are my strong tower, my refuge and strength. Help me remember to run to you as a first response, not a last resort. When I’m discouraged or afraid, remind me that you’re always there and will help. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Wednesday— Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Psalm 96:9
“We’re going to do a little experiment,” announced Dad as the family sat down to dinner. “Tomorrow, I want each of us to say only complimentary things to each other. No requests. No nagging. No complaining. No criticism. Find things to admire and appreciate about each family member, real things, not silliness. I want us to become more aware of how we’ve taken each other for granted and related to each other in mostly selfish ways. Mom and I will do it too and I hope this shows us all how much more pleasant our relationships are when we feel seen and appreciated.” At his family’s stunned gaze, he went on. “I’ll start: “Mom, the dinner was delicious, and Dev, I admire how you brought your grades up this year. Anyone else?”
Can you imagine your family’s reaction to a suggestion like that? Now, imagine God’s reaction if you designated certain prayers as praise only. Psalm 96 is a good example of someone doing this. It contains only praise and worship. No complaints, requests, or laments. Only worship, recounting some of the ways God is magnificent. Read it slowly and let it be a model for some of your own prayers. You can start by setting aside a time to worship only. Save the requests and complaints for another time. Sing to Him. Tell Him all the ways He’s blessed you, helped you, and been patient with you. Follow the model of Psalm 96 and see what happens in your relationship with God. If you would appreciate a day like Dad suggested, so would God.
Challenge: Set aside a specific time to simply worship God to His face. Point out what you most enjoy about Him.
Prayer: Father, I realize how many of my prayers are self-centered, only talking to you when I need something. I’ll work to balance that by following Jesus’ example and that of Psalm 96. Thank you for being so good to me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Thursday— But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. John 4:23
“There’s one,” booms the thunderous Voice and a hundred angels spring to attention. “There, see him? In Asia, standing up to the military, refusing to deny me. He’s very pleasing to me. Write this down so I can reward him.” Have you thought about God like that? You may have accepted the twisted version of God that paints Him as an angry master who can’t be pleased. That doesn’t fit with scripture. Instead, Jesus confirmed that God is actively seeking people who want to receive the truth and then worship Him with it. To worship in spirit means His truth has become such a part of us that we think it, breathe it, and live it out.
Second Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him.” Some tremble at the thought of God peering at us from heaven because they assign Him the wrong motive. But He’s not poised with a stick to whack us when we mess up. He’s eagerly searching for those who have believed in Him and let that faith transform them. Jesus echoes the truth that God is actively seeking people who want to please Him, and that should encourage us. Our efforts to worship Him, even when it’s hard, are not wasted. He sees. He knows how hard it is, and He stands ready to show Himself strong on our behalf. Worship is not a song; it’s a lifestyle.
Challenge: When the eyes of the Lord roam the earth, do they land on you?
Prayer: Father, am I one of those who worships you in spirit and in truth? I want to know you more through your word so that my life is an act of worship in every way. May your truth define what my spirit worships. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Friday— A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. Luke 7:37-38
The girl on the front row was an embarrassment to the stiff old ladies in the back. “Why does she get so emotional every time we sing?” hissed Maude. Lila shook her head, frown deepening. “I know,” she muttered. “Tears and waving her hands all around. Disgraceful!” Hearing them, Tessa leaned forward to speak to the backs of their heads. “Don’t you recognize her?” she whispered and they turned simultaneously. “She’s Amber. Used to work the streets at night and strip in the day. Those dots on her arm aren’t freckles. She shot heroin before she met Jesus and now she can’t thank Him enough. Her worship inspires me.”
Jesus also has an answer for Maude and Lila, as He did for first-century Pharisees. Let’s let Him speak: “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love” (V 47). True worship arises from a heart of gratitude. When our eyes are opened to the magnitude of how vile we are and how merciful God is, worship is the natural response. Those ladies may sing songs, but Amber knew how to worship.
Challenge: Do you just sing songs on Sunday or does your heart truly worship?
Prayer: Father, evaluate my heart motives. Do I really know how to worship or am I going through the motions because it’s expected? Open my eyes to how unworthy I am; yet, you’ve shown me mercy. May gratitude define my worship. Amen.
