Christian Writers Circle

Hidden Glory
by Brenda D. Flowers

“Do I truly hallow my Father in Heaven and His name?”

I know the importance of praying the words of “The Lord’s Prayer.” I have said this prayer since I was a young child, but do I really understand what treasures may be hidden in these words?

Jesus taught His disciples a pattern of how to pray. The order of the words has meaning. I believe Jesus’ followers were sincere in wanting to know how to pray with intent; and Jesus, according to the will of His Father, gave them these words:

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: For your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.
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. . .
(Matthew 6: 8-10, KJV)

First, we notice how Jesus tells His disciples and us to focus on our Father in heaven. Jesus uses a special word to say what God’s name is. I don’t want to continue rotely speaking this next line of the prayer without being cognizant of its depth. “Hallowed be Thy name,” I repeat these words and meditate on their meaning. Hallowed. Hallowed isn’t a word we use in today’s vernacular. Yet, I know it means showing respect.

In researching the meaning of this word, I discover it can mean Holy, sanctified, blessed, sacred, highly respected and consecrated. Jesus, in following His Father’s will, is modeling the importance of showing honor and respect to Father God, recognizing the awesome reality of who God is and how He is the One to be glorified.

Matthew recorded these words, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and based upon his experiences with Jesus and the other disciples. He knew that Jesus taught His followers to pray this way. Matthew was with Jesus for three years in ministry. Matthew watched Jesus honor His heavenly Father in all of His actions and daily choices. He realized Jesus was the embodiment of the fulfillment of this prayer, living a sinless, righteous life.

When we pray these words as Christ’s followers, we are proclaiming to the world the magnificence of who God is. We are exclaiming His worthiness to be praised. We show we know whose name is above all names. We announce who we trust as being holy.

God, our Father in heaven, gave His authority to His Son, Jesus, and in turn by His great love, God pours out His kingdom life to us who believe in Him. When we start our prayers, giving honor to whom honor is due, then we have the right to approach God’s throne with our requests. We are not worthy, but God has made a way for us to be worthy. God wants us to experience His heavenly kingdom life on earth; otherwise He would not have guided Jesus to speak these words.

When I reverence God in my heart, loving Him above anything else in my life I am recognizing His holiness and creative power. It is with His creative loving words that dark changes to light and life. Jesus, the embodiment of His Word, voices deeper truths than I am able to comprehend. This is where my mustard seed faith comes in to play. I believe Holy God loves me and I give him honor and glory as I pray how He taught me to pray through His Son. Then, by His Holy Spirit, I am able to walk it out in this earth, following the model of Jesus.

Let’s reflect on how we can show our love and respect to Abba, our Father in heaven. He is a tender, loving God to have planned a way for us to come to Him. He is worthy to be praised!