The Lord’s Prayer: The First Petition
Hallowed be Thy name.
What does this mean?
God’s name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also.
How is God’s name kept holy?
God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God’s Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father!
36] This is, indeed, somewhat obscure, and not expressed in good German, for in our mother-tongue we would say: Heavenly Father, help that by all means, Thy name may be holy. 37] But what is it to pray that His name may be holy? Is it not holy already? Answer: Yes, it is always holy in its nature, but in our use, it is not holy. For God’s name was given us when we became Christians and were baptized so that we are called children of God and have the Sacraments, by which He so incorporates us in Himself that everything which is God’s must serve for our use. 38] Here now the great need exists for which we ought to be most concerned, that this name have its proper honor, be esteemed holy and sublime as the greatest treasure and sanctuary that we have; and that as godly children we pray that the name of God, which is already holy in heaven, may also be and remain holy with us upon earth and in all the world. 39] But how does it become holy among us? Answer, as plainly as it can be said: When both our doctrine and life are godly and Christian. For since in this prayer, we call God our Father, it is our duty always to deport and demean ourselves as godly children, that He may not receive shame, but honor and praise from us. 40] Now the name of God is profaned by us either in words or in works. (For whatever we do upon the earth must be either words or works, speech or act.) 41] In the first place, then, it is profaned when men preach, teach, and speak in the name of God what is false and misleading, so that His name must serve to adorn and to find a market for falsehood. That is, indeed, the greatest profanation and dishonor of the divine name. Furthermore, also when men, by swearing, cursing, conjuring, etc., grossly abuse the holy name as a cloak for their shame. In the second place, also by an openly wicked life and works, when those who are called Christians and the people of God are adulterers, drunkards, misers, envious, and slanderers. 42] Here again must the name of God come to shame and be profaned because of us. 43] For just as it is a shame and disgrace to a natural father to have a bad, perverse child that opposes him in words and deeds, so that on its account he suffers contempt and reproach, 44] so also it brings dishonor upon God if we who are called by His name and have all manner of goods from Him teach, speak, and live in any other manner except as godly and heavenly children, so that people say of us that we must be not God’s, but the devil’s children. 45] Thus you see that in this petition we pray just for that which God demands in the Second Commandment; namely, that His name be not taken in vain to swear, curse, lie, deceive, etc., but be usefully employed to the praise and honor of God. For whoever employs the name of God for any sort of wrong profanes and desecrates this holy name, as aforetime a church was considered desecrated when a murder or any other crime had been committed in it, or when a pyx or relic was desecrated, as being holy in themselves, yet become unholy in use. 46] Thus this point is easy and clear if only the language is understood, that to hallow is the same as in our idiom to praise, magnify, and honor both in word and deed. 47] Here, now, learn how great need there is of such prayer. For because we see how full the world is of sects and false teachers, who all wear the holy name as a cover and sham for their doctrines of devils, we ought by all means to pray without ceasing, and to cry and call upon God against all such as preach and believe falsely and whatever opposes and persecutes our Gospel and pure doctrine, and would suppress it, as bishops, tyrants, enthusiasts, etc. Likewise, also for ourselves who have the Word of God, but are not thankful for it, nor live as we ought according to the same. 48] If now you pray for this with your heart, you can be sure that it pleases God; for He will not hear anything more dear to Him than that His honor and praise is exalted above everything else, and His Word is taught in its purity and is esteemed precious and dear.
Dr. Luther writes,” But how does it (God’s Name) become holy among us?” “When both our doctrine and life are godly and Christian.” Does the life you live and the doctrine of God’s Word line up?
What areas need more attention?
How can you bring about improvement?
“To hallow means the same as to praise, magnify, and honor both in word and deed.”
What are some ways we hallow God’s Name in Word?
What is the connection to the 3rd Commandments?
What is the connection to the 2nd Article of the Apostles Creed?
What is the connection to the Lord’s Supper?
What are some ways we hallow God’s Name in our deeds?
To hallow God’s Name in Word is to hear Jesus. From His written Word, from the pulpit, from the Lord’s Supper, the message is the same. You are forgiven by the Word made flesh,….. on the +cross+,….. for you!
Today I am praying for:
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer
The First Petition
Hallowed be Thy name.
What does this mean?
God’s name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also.
It may seem odd to read Christmas readings in a Lenten devotional on the 1st Petition of the Lord’s Prayer. It all has to do with The Name.
From the Matthew reading, what does the Name Jesus mean?
We refer to Jesus as “Christ” as well. What does Christ mean? (Hint) the OT. Translation for Christ would-be Messiah.
Hallowed be Thy Name directly connects us with God in the Flesh. When we pray this petition, we are praying for the right preaching, teaching, and worship of Jesus.
Why is it important that the church we attend preach and teach correctly even when it is unpopular or countercultural?
What is the connection of this petition, you, and Holy Baptism?
Today I am praying for:
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer
Luke 2:8-21 Hebrews 9:22 Luke 24:1-7
The First Petition
Hallowed be Thy name.
What does this mean?
God’s name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also.
How old was Jesus when He was circumcised?
Why was He circumcised?
- Circumcision was not done for hygienic reasons as it is today. It was the law. It was the physical mark that set the Jews apart as God’s chosen people. One week and the first day of the new week Jesus was cut. Jesus experienced pain. Jesus bleed.
According to Hebrews 9, what must happen for us to receive the forgiveness of sins?
God created in 6 days and rested on the 7th. Sin came into the world and corrupted the perfect creation. Holy blood was shed for the first time on the 8th day. Jesus rose again on the first day of the week. God’s broken creation (7 days) made new on the 1st day of the week. (8 days!) Jesus is the firstborn of the new (redeemed creation).
All of this comes to you in your Baptism.
Who’s Name are you Baptized into?
Traditionally Baptismal founts have 8 sides.
What is the connection?
All of Scripture points to Jesus. All of Scripture drives us to see how Hallowed God’s Name, Jesus, is in our lives.
Because God’s Name, is Holy when He gives us His Name we are holy as well!
Today I am praying for:
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer
The First Petition
Hallowed be Thy name.
What does this mean?
God’s name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also.
How is God’s name kept holy?
God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God’s Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father!
Large Catechism: 2nd Commandment 51-52
If someone now asks, “How do you understand the Second Commandment?” or “What is meant by taking God’s name in vain, or misusing God’s name?” answer briefly in this way: “It means misusing God’s name when we call upon the Lord God- no matter how- in order to deceive or do wrong of any kind.” Therefore, this commandment makes his point: God’s name must not be appealed to falsely, or taken upon the lips, while the heart knows well enough – should know- that the truth of the matter is different. This is what happens with people who take oaths in court, where one side lies against the other. For God’s name cannot be misused worse than for the support of falsehood and deceit
Sin is sinister. Even when we pray this most holy prayer, when we call on the Name above all names to hear us, sin causes us to doubt. At the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer Dr. Luther encourages us to pray “with all boldness and confidence”. That is because God’s Name bring God’s power. God’s power breaks into our world in answered prayers.
Do you pray boldly?
Do you pray in confidence?
Fear not dear child of God “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words”. Romans 8:26
Two thieves crucified with the Innocent One between them. Jesus gives the bold assurance “today you will be with me in paradise” to the second of these thieves, not the first.
What was the difference in the prayer of these two thieves?
Calling on God’s Name in faith, trusts in the power and promise of the Holy Trinity. Calling on God’s Name trusts that even in our weakness of doubt we are forgiven because Jesus’ Name has been watermarked on your forehead in your Baptism.
Today I am praying boldly and confidently for:
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer.
Today I heard God’s Word taught and I learned:
Today I am praying boldly and confidently for:
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer
The First Petition
Hallowed be Thy name.
What does this mean?
God’s name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also.
How is God’s name kept holy?
God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God’s Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father!
Isaiah, the Leper, the Centurion, all help us to see what “hallowed be Thy Name” means in our world. Isaiah saw what “Hallowed by thy Name” looked like. He was brought into the throne room of God. “Hallowed be Thy Name was everywhere he looked. The foundations of heaven shook. The heavenly seraphim would not, look at God’s holiness. The house was filled with smoke. Most of all Isaiah recognized “he was a man of unclean lips” and he had seen the Lord. That should have meant his end.
The Leper was someone, no one would touch. His statement to Jesus was an honest one. “If you will, you can make me clean”. The Leper hoped but did not expect Jesus to subject Himself to this disgusting deadly disease.
The Centurion recognized 2 things. His servant needed to be healed from his paralysis, and he, the Centurion, was a Roman not of the nation of Israel. Asking Jesus for help was a long shot.
All of these men should have been excluded from Jesus’ healing hand. Isaiah because of his sin. The Leper because of his disease, the Centurion and his servant because of their Nationality. All were healed. None were excluded.
The “Hallowed Name of God” desires to heal, to restore, to forgive and show Mercy. When we pray this petition of the Lord’s Prayer, we are reminded again that God Holy Name does not expect or demand that we get cleaned up first. It does not expect that we will or can seek out God. The holiness of God comes to us. Isaiah’s sins were atoned for in the promise of Jesus. Jesus reaches into the Lepers disease and heals, making Himself unclean. The Centurion sees firsthand that Jesus’ desire is Mercy for all.
“God’s Name is certainly holy in itself” and Father Son and Holy Spirit seek to heal, forgive, restore creation by joining with it. The Hallowed Name of God took on flesh and dwelt among us to heal you.
Today I am praying boldly and confidently for:
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer
The First Petition
Hallowed be Thy name.
What does this mean? God’s name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also.
How is God’s name kept holy?
God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God’s Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father!
At the end of Jesus’ life, the Holy Word of God calls on the Holy Name of God to forgive. “Father forgive them”. That was for you. God’s Name, His promises, and presence will not, cannot be where evil is. So instead of condemning us, God does what only He can do. He holies us. By His Holy Word, Jesus, you are forgiven all your sins. The wonder of the 1st Petition is this, “God’s name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also”.
We keep God’s Name holy not by what we do, but by receiving what he gives to us as gifts.
What are some of those gifts?
Jesus’ last prayer was this. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Did you notice how Jesus addressed the Holy Name? Father, the same way we pray the Lord’s Prayer. Father, a term of affection, intimacy, and vulnerability. God heard this prayer. He answered with the greatest gift mankind has ever seen. Forgiveness for you. Every sin, everything that could and should separate you from the Holy, Hallowed Name of the most High God has been removed by the blood of the Word, Jesus.
It always amazes me when we slow down, when we let God’s Hallowed Spirit teach us, what we learn about His love.
What did you learn about these 4 words? “Hallowed by thy Name?
Today I am praying boldly and confidently for:
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer
