The Lord’s Prayer: Hallowed be Thy Name

Reginald Heber wrote the lyrics for the majestic hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy.” John Dykes’ transforming melody makes this song an enduring anthem to God’s most wondrous attribute: holiness.

Holiness is the state of being wholly other, separate, or set apart. If God is holy, why do we pray, “Hallowed be thy name?”

Theologian and author R.C. Sproul points out that many of us miss the intent of Jesus’s specific words. “The first line of the prayer is not a petition. It’s a form of personal address. The prayer continues: ‘hallowed be your name, your kingdom come’ (Matthew 6:9–10). We often confuse the words ‘hallowed be your name’ with part of the address, as if the words were ‘Hallowed is your name.’ In that case the words would merely be an ascription of praise to God. But that is not how Jesus said it. He uttered it as a petition, as the first petition. We should be praying that God’s name be hallowed, that God be regarded as holy.

“There is a kind of sequence within the prayer. God’s kingdom will never come where His name is not considered holy. His will is not done on earth as it is in heaven if His name is desecrated here. In heaven the name of God is holy. It is breathed by angels in a sacred hush. Heaven is a pace where reverence for God is total. It is foolish to look for the kingdom anywhere God is not revered.”

The name for God in the Old Testament was so holy that most would not say it aloud. The scribes would not write it down. Jesus was considered blasphemous when he uttered it during his trial: “I Am.” Jesus’s name itself also meets the standards of holiness.

There are two types of holiness:

Jesus’s name meets both criteria. Jesus was set apart for a special purpose by being named in heaven. Gabriel shocked young Mary. He told her that she would conceive and deliver a son. He instructed her to name him Jesus. Then, he described what this son would become: “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32–33 NKJV)

Joseph was upset. His future wife was pregnant. He thought she was pure and set apart. How could she do this to him? The angel surprised him and told him to go through with the marriage. He then said, “And you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 2:21 NKJV)

This name—Jesus—is set apart in history. Those that needed healing or deliverance called it out on the street. The religious leaders cursed the name and plotted to erase it—and the man—from the earth. His name became a part of the mocking death sentence nailed above his head on the cross—This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.

Jesus’s name is also set apart from evil and sin. It is the name Christians pray to and the name of the Savior. Paul would eventually call it the name above all names. Pastor and magazine publisher A.W. Tozer marveled at Christ’s holiness. “We cannot grasp the true meaning of the divine holiness by thinking of someone or something very pure and then raising the concept to the highest degree we are capable of. God’s holiness is not simply the best we know infinitely bettered. We know nothing like the divine holiness. It stands apart, unique, unapproachable, incomprehensible and unattainable. The natural man is blind to it. He may fear God’s power and admire His wisdom, but His holiness he cannot even imagine.”

The name that we pray to is not just different or unique. It is wholly holy.

His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 1:3–4 NASB

For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

Luke 1:48–50 NIV

Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.

Acts 4:27 NIV

Jesus could’ve taught, “hallowed be thy character” or “thy memory”. Instead, we pray, “hallowed by thy name.”

Songwriters Bill and Gloria Gaither created the Homecoming concert series where the audience sings along with well-known recording artists. The chorus “There’s Just Something About That Name” is one of the highlights. The lyrics and emotion underline the nature of the name of Jesus. His name should be spoken in reverence, never as a punctuation mark or expletive.

Many names for Jesus are found in the New Testament. These names highlight the wonder and majesty of the name above all names.