THE HALLOWED NAME

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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As we read through the “model prayer” found in Luke 11:1-4, we hear that God’s name is to be “hallowed” by all who seek him. For most people, the term hallowed is anachronistic and not a part of our normal everyday use of the English language. And yet, we are to treat the name of God in a way that is trapped within this old idea. So what does it mean for you and me living in the here and now? 

Good question, let’s read on…

1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 

2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation (or lead us not into the time of trial).”

(Luke 11:1-4 NIV11 – parenthetical translation from Ryan Laden)

Hallowed

The Greek term being used in verse two that we translate into the old English term of hallowed is that of ἁγιασθήτω(hagiasthetō).

This term is used within the New Testament to speak to the “otherness” of God. Even to say that this term means that God’s name is to be made holy does not tell us what we are to do with the name of God. 

To acknowledge that the name of the Lord is set apart, other, greater than, higher than, outside of you and I and our temporary existence here on earth is to begin to understand what we are being called by Jesus to do when we come to the Lord in prayer. 

When we come to the Lord and begin our time of open and honest communication, we must do so from a position of awe. We need to acknowledge that the Lord is not like you and I. He is other than, more than, apart from us in every way imaginable, and yet he is intimately, purposefully attentive to our every moment, idea, concern, praise, and question. 

By Whom?

The force of this Greek term tells us that the name of God (all we really have of the invisible and Holy God of Creation) is to be made hallowed by us. We are to actively and purposefully proclaim and lift up the name of the Lord as higher than all else. The name of God is to be lifted on high by those who come to him in prayer. 

This is our job as worshipers of Jesus Christ. We are to lift up his name over and above all else in our lives. This is a powerful and important calling. 

Paradox

In the passage that follows, we hear how the name of the Lord is both above us, and given to us so that we might know the Lord personally:

15 For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

(Isaiah 57:15 NIV11)

The name of the Lord, like so many other elements of the this life of faith, exists in a paradoxical state. It is both above and beyond us and it has been given to us on the most personal and intimate level. 

It is important that we acknowledge the glory of God when we approach him in prayer. But it is also important that we feel free to call on the name of Jesus Christ as we converse with the Lord about any and all things in this life. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I want to open my time with you today by acknowledging that you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that no one can come to the Father except through you. Your name matters. There is no other power, force, spirit, or god in all the universe other than you. I am thankful that you welcome my prayer and call me one of your own. I love you and seek to live this day for you. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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