In his sermon on the mount, Jesus taught us how we should pray. After teaching us to address God as "Our Father," speaking of his closeness, and declaring that he is "in heaven," a reminder of his sovereignty, Jesus gave us 6 requests to pray.
The very first request is "Hallowed be your name" (Matthew 6:9, ESV). Perhaps you have always looked at this as a statement and not a request. It is certainly true as a statement - God's name is holy. But Jesus is here teaching us to desire and seek for the glory of God, which is the purpose of all things!
How fitting that all our prayers begin with a desire for the glory of God. This is a reminder that in praying, we are not attempting to change God and line him up with our desires; prayer is rather God's changing of us and conforming us to his will. This must begin - all our prayers must begin - with a hunger for God to be glorified.
Before we rush into his presence with our list of wants, let us first bow before our sovereign Father in praise.
"Father, may your name be glorified. May it be seen as holy in my life, my household, my neighborhood and city; yes, to the ends of the earth! May the earth be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea! Lord, glorify you name!"
Hallowed be your name, Father.
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