Prayer's Priority

Hallowed be Thy Name

Matthew 6:9

In our prayers, the most important thing we can do is to petition God to make his name holy. The reason for this is two-fold. First, God is not inclined to do anything that does not make his name holy. He is holy and seeks to be known as holy. Our prayers, which petition him “to hallow” his name, do not ask him to do anything contrary to his character. Second, we get our priorities right. John Piper writes, 

“God wills to make great things the consequence of our prayers when our prayers are the consequence of his great purposes. Bring your heart into line with the jealousy of God to hallow his name, and you will pray with great effect. Let your first and all-determining prayer be for the hallowing of God’s name, and your prayers will plug into the power of God’s jealousy.”

“To hallow” means “to consecrate or make holy.” What does it mean to “hallow” God’s name? We hallow God’s name by believing in him. Our faith in him gives him glory. Also, we hallow God’s name by fearing God above men. We stand with God regardless of what others may think about us. Further, we hallow God’s name by keeping his commandments. Obedience brings glory to the great name of God. And finally, we hallow God’s name by praising and glorifying his name. The worship of God proclaims the greatness of his glory.

As you pray, seek the hollowing of God’s name above all else. Ask him to make his name known throughout the world. Pray that God will give you the faith to trust him. Ask God to give you a heart that reveres him above all other things. Pray for obedience in Christ. Ask God to give you a Christ-honoring and God-glorifying heart of worship. May God’s name be hallowed forever!

Helpful Biblical Passages:

Numbers 20:1-13

Isaiah 8

Leviticus 22:31-32

Leviticus 10