The Life and Ministry of Jesus
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Matthew 6:9
The first sentence declares who we are to pray to: “Our Father in heaven.” We are not to pray to saints and angels, but to the everlasting Father, the Father of spirits, the Lord of heaven and earth. We call him Father in the lowest sense, as our Creator: as St. Paul told the Athenians, “in him we live and move and have our being … We are his offspring” (Acts 17:28).
We call him Father in the highest sense, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, reconciling us to himself through the death of his Son (Colossians 1:20–22). Without faith in Christ’s blood and union with him, it is useless to talk of trusting in the “Fatherhood” of God. By the “name” of God we mean all those attributes through which he is revealed to us—his power, wisdom, holiness, justice, mercy and truth. By asking that they may be “hallowed,” we mean that they may be made known and glorified. 1
Personal Encouragement
You can bless Him today as you acknowledge His power, His wisdom, His holiness, His justice, His mercy, and His truth. Take time and think about how each of these attributes of God have helped you through life.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15
Do you just seek the blessing or the Blesser who bestows the blessing?
A Prayer
Lord, thank You for teaching me how to bless Your name every day.
1. Ryle, J. C. (1993). Matthew. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
