September 20

"Hallowed be thy name." Matthew 6:9

God’s name is linked with his glory. "I had regard for my holy name, which the children of Israel had profaned among the nations," God said through Ezekiel. The people of God had not hallowed his name; they had instead profaned that name wherever they went. Yet God had regard for his holy name, and he calls us to share his desire that it be hallowed.

It is not enough that we should pray the words; we need to have our whole lives governed by this holy desire. Every day will bring its own challenge to us, asking, Is this just a pious fancy, or a governing factor in our lives? The hallowing of God’s name must begin in the life of the one who prays the prayer.