Devotional #122

Question 122. Which is the first petition?

Answer: “Hallowed be thy name”; that is, grant us, first, rightly to know thee (a), and to sanctify, glorify and praise thee (b), in all thy works, in which thy power, wisdom, goodness, justice, mercy and truth, are clearly displayed; and further also, that we may so order and direct our whole lives, our thoughts, words and actions, that thy name may never be blasphemed, but rather honoured and praised on our account (c).

(a) John 17:3: And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Jeremiah 9:24: but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”
Jeremiah 31:33-34: But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
Matthew 16:17: And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
James 1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Psalm 119:105: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

(b) Psalm 119:137: Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules.
Luke 1:46-47: And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Luke 1:68-69: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.
Romans 11:33-36: Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

(c) Psalm 71:8: My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.
Psalm 115:1: Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

For your personal reflection:
Question: If God’s Name is already holy, how can it be hallowed?  I would suggest that while His Name is indeed holy it is not regarded or recognized as such in our culture today.  In teaching us to pray thusly Jesus introduces something completely contrary to human nature.  How?  By grounding prayer in God not self.  And so, we begin to discover that true prayer is costly.  It means that we put God first.  That our concern is for His glory and His purposes to be worked out in our lives rather than our will and desire to be fulfilled.