'Hallowed be thy name' (Matthew 6:9)

having gone into the inner room and approached our Father, we say 'Hallowed be thy name.' What is our Father's Name? In the Divine Word you will find He has very many names, for names represent character or qualities of character. Every name of our Father represents some different aspect of His quality. But the outstanding name to most of us is Jesus, for it means Saviour. We read 'Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.' It is the name of our Father in human form among men, loving and saving.

It is hallowed because it stands for divine love, and divine provision for His people. And for seeking, saving, and healing the sad and lost. His word too, is to be hallowed, for it everywhere represents His name, in all the varying aspects of His love and wisdom. Indeed, our Father made the Word flesh by dwelling among us.

But his name is not hallowed by the mere expression of the lips but rather by the reception of His love in the heart and His teaching of truth in the understanding.

When we pray 'Hallowed be thy name' we are really asking that our lives may conform to all His name signifies. It is not hallowed by merely outside circumstances. Nor by ascetic or outwardly induced silences and rituals. But rather by a life so lived that, in all its activities, His love and teaching is deeply honoured and respected. For 'Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven' (Matt. 7:21).

'Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake' (Psalm 115: 1).