Hallowed Be Thy Name

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory in the heavens.
Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Hallowed is not a word we use in everyday speech.  We typically only hear it when reciting the Lord’s Prayer.  So what does it really mean?  Holy, God’s name is precious, Holy, special… Hallowed.  We begin the prayer with praising God.  One of the simple acronyms I like to use when teaching people about prayer is PRAY: Praise, Repent, Ask, You.  We begin praising God for all God has done, for creation, for blessings, for providing our daily needs.  Second, we move to repentance.  Forgive us for our failure to love God and love others, and help us to forgive people who have hurt us.  Third, we ask for God to meet the needs around us, people who are sick or hurting, those whom God brings to mind.  Last, we share our own needs, concerns, and struggles with God.  (This differs slightly from the Lord’s Prayer, but it still covers all the bases.)

Each section of the Lord’s Prayer aligns with the key themes of Lent: repentance, dependence, provision, forgiveness, and spiritual strength. This week we focus on the glory, majesty, and holiness of God.  Where have you seen the majesty and glory of God this week?  In what ways can you thank God for the gifts you have received?  Where is God calling you to rejoice?

Please join us this season of Lent for a weekly prayer service each Wednesday at 6:30pm in the Main Sanctuary as we practice each portion of the Lord’s Prayer together.

PRAYER
One: Lord, You placed the Sun, moon and stars in the sky.
You created every form of life on earth and everywhere we see life.
You were before time, in time and will remain beyond time…and that is only the beginning of the mysteries that surround you.

All: And yet…by sending Jesus, your Son, you have invited us into a loving, intimate and real relationship. And through his teachings, you encourage us to bring our needs before you.

One: We are challenged to let go of our will and trust in your will.  For our lives and livelihoods, for our families and friends, for our country and for this world.

All:  We lift our hearts to you, giving you glory, honor and praise. And we give you every need, every desire, every dream in the name of Jesus the Christ.  Amen.