What does “hallowed” mean? How do you hallow God’s name? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally explains why it is important to hallow God in prayer. Hallowed is actually a verb, not an adjective, that’s why they saw “hallowed be.” Hallowed is often translated holy, but holy is an adjective. Hallowed be thy name is not observing God’s holiness, its declaring God’s holiness. When we declare God’s holiness, we call that worship.
To put it in modern day language we use, We would pray “Father in Heaven, I acknowledge that your name is holy, so I worship you.”
This second line of the Lord’s prayer is a pause for praise. Today’s big idea: start your prayer
with worship!
Why start prayer with worship?
- To prevent pride.
Worship puts the focus on someone other than ourselves.
Matthew 6:5-6
When we pray, we should value honesty over artistry. Don’t try to impress anyone—just be yourself.
John 4:24 “For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Truth here is authenticity. Remember, God is not looking for perfection from you, He’s looking for connection with you.
We have been given access to the Father, but we can never forget that this access has been granted because of His goodness, not our own. - To reinforce your relationship.
Prayer should be personal, but all too often its simply transactional.
Matthew 6:7-8
Talk to God like you know Him.
Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Your prayer will cease to be a list of requests when you first stop to acknowledge who you’re talking to. - To refine your Fear the Lord.
Prov 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge”
Fearing God is not the same as being afraid of God. The “fear of the LORD” an overwhelming sense of the glory, worth, and beauty of the One True God.
How do you walk around with something important? By keeping it in mind with every step you take. The fear of the Lord is practiced by slowing down, being still and worshipping Him wherever you are.
“I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven.”
A. W. Tozer
When you pray, are you taking time to worship first?