Setting the Scene
It’s a familiar scene for anyone who’s spent time on a sports field. The pregame rituals, the crowd slowly filling the bleachers, the team going through the final motions before the game begins. At that moment, my baseball coach would call us to a huddle, and like clockwork, he’d lead us in prayer. With the strains of John Fogerty’s “Centerfield” or Alabama’s “Cheap Seats” fading into the background, we’d take a knee on the grass, just thirty feet from home plate. The words were always the same: “Our Father.”
We’d all chime in, a group of young Southern boys reciting the Lord’s Prayer by heart. Some of us truly grasped the gravity of those words, while others were simply hoping that a divine blessing might somehow sway the game in our favor. For many, it was a ritual that held little meaning, just something we did because, well, it was tradition.
The Power of “Hallowed Be Thy Name”
“Hallowed be thy name.” How many times had I said those words without truly understanding them? Hundreds, if not thousands, of times, they’d rolled off my tongue during morning prayers, before games, and during countless rosaries in Catholic school. But in those early years, the significance of that phrase was lost on me. It could have just as easily been “Hollow be thy name” for all the depth I found in it.
When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray in Luke 11:1, they must have known that whatever He said next would be monumental. These were not just words; they were the foundation of a prayer that would be recited for millennia. And yet, how often do we let it slip into meaningless repetition, saying the words without feeling their weight? Jesus warned against “empty phrases” in Matthew 6:7, but how often have those very words become hollow in our mouths?
What Does “Hallowed” Mean?
The word “hallowed” isn’t one we use often in modern English. Derived from the Greek word “hagiazō,” it means to treat something as holy, to set it apart, to honor it above all else. Though the word has fallen out of common usage, the concept it represents is timeless. When we say “Hallowed be thy name,” we are asking God to elevate His name above all others, to make it revered, honored, and glorified.
This isn’t just a casual request. It’s the foundation of the Lord’s Prayer, the very first petition Jesus teaches us to make. And it’s not an isolated idea; it’s woven throughout Scripture. The plea for God’s name to be hallowed is echoed in the Psalms, in the Prophets, and in the New Testament. It’s a thread that ties together the prayers of God’s people across the ages.
For the Sake of His Name
The desire to see God’s name glorified isn’t just a New Testament concept. It’s rooted deep in the Old Testament, where we see figures like Moses making bold requests for God’s glory to be revealed. When Moses asked to see God’s glory in Exodus 33:18, he was asking for something extraordinary, and God was pleased to respond. Though Moses was only granted a glimpse, it was enough to leave a lasting impression.
Throughout the Psalms, we see prayers that appeal to God’s name and glory as the basis for His actions. Psalm 23:3, for example, speaks of God leading us in paths of righteousness “for his name’s sake.” This idea is repeated in Psalm 106:8, where God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt is attributed to His desire to make His name known among the nations.
God’s concern for His name is a recurring theme in Scripture. It’s why He saved His people from Egypt, despite their sins and unworthiness. He did it “for his name’s sake” (Psalm 106:8), to demonstrate His power and make His name known among the nations. This same motivation is seen in God’s dealings with Israel throughout their history. Whether in delivering them from enemies or pardoning their sins, God’s actions were often driven by a desire to uphold the sanctity of His name.
Not for Our Sake
Even when God’s people were in exile, He promised to restore them — not because they deserved it, but for the sake of His holy name. In Ezekiel 36:22-23, God makes it clear that His actions are motivated by a desire to vindicate the holiness of His name, not by any merit on the part of Israel. This principle is echoed in the prayers of Daniel, who appeals to God’s name and glory as the basis for restoring His people (Daniel 9:15-19).
The idea that God acts for the sake of His name is not limited to the Old Testament. In the New Testament, we see it in the writings of the Apostle Paul, who sought “to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations” (Romans 1:5). Paul understood that his mission was not about personal glory but about making Christ’s name known and honored.
Even in the face of persecution, Christians are called to endure “for my name’s sake” (Revelation 2:3). The strength to persevere in suffering comes from a deep desire to see God’s name glorified, no matter the cost.
Jesus’ Ultimate Act of Hallowing God’s Name
Jesus didn’t just teach us to pray for God’s name to be hallowed; He lived it out in the most profound way possible. In His High Priestly Prayer, just before His crucifixion, Jesus prays, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you” (John 17:1). As He faced the cross, Jesus’ foremost concern was the glory of His Father’s name.
Jesus’ entire life and ministry were centered around the hallowing of God’s name. He taught His disciples to pray for it, He lived in a way that honored it, and ultimately, He died to uphold it. The cross was the ultimate act of hallowing God’s name, as Jesus willingly laid down His life to demonstrate the Father’s glory and love.
A Prayer Worth Praying
When we pray, “Hallowed be thy name,” we are joining a chorus that has been sung throughout history. It’s a prayer that aligns our hearts with the very purpose of creation — the glorification of God’s name. It’s a prayer that God delights to answer because it’s rooted in His own desire to see His name honored above all else.
In a world where words often lose their meaning through repetition, let’s reclaim the depth and power of this ancient prayer. Let’s pray it with the understanding that we are asking for something monumental — for God’s name to be revered, honored, and glorified in our lives and in the world around us.
Conclusion
The next time you find yourself reciting the Lord’s Prayer, whether in a church pew, on a sports field, or in the quiet of your own home, take a moment to consider the weight of those words. “Hallowed be thy name” is not just a line in a prayer; it’s a plea for God’s glory to be revealed in your life and in the world. It’s a prayer that God loves to answer, and when He does, it changes everything.
