As we pray through the Lord’s Pray bit by bit, we come to “…hallowed be your name.” The first thing that hits home here is the focus. The focus is not immediately on our requests or needs. The focus is simply and emphatically on God himself. When we speak of the “name” of God we are talking about who God is, how he has revealed himself, and what he has done for us. So here in this part of the prayer, we are taking our eyes off of our name and the names of those around us, and the names of the kingdoms around us, and fixing our gaze directly and solely on God.
Whatever this means, it means in all the chaos of COVID-19, in all our personal crises that strike randomly, above all our hope is in God himself and our hope is in God making himself more known to us and those around us. This is good news because our soul finds rest and security and contentment in knowing who God is and what he has done for us.
In a time where it is easy to think much of ourselves or much of a particular earthly kingdom, God’s name remains unshakable. God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. God is good, all-powerful, infinite, eternal, all-knowing, sovereign, tender, gracious, merciful, steadfast, unchanging, loving, just, holy, righteousness, true, dependent on nothing and no one, needs nothing and no one, and is in Christ is for you. He satisfied his justice on Jesus so that you might only experience his grace.
This is our God and he has not and will not change, regardless of how much changes around us today, tomorrow, and the next day.
The following is meant to help you pray along with this part of the Lord’s Prayer:
“God, above all, make yourself and the life you give known to more and more people during this time. Make yourself more known to my heart. May we know, and may more of those around us know, your goodness, mercy, grace, and love. Open our eyes to who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us. During this time of unrest and uncertainty may we find all our rest, certainty, and satisfaction in You.”
Pray For Others - “Father, I pray for … that he/she/they would know you more and more during this time. Help them know, treasure, and trust even more your goodness, mercy, grace, and love. Open their eyes to Jesus Christ and his salvation. Give them rest and certainty in You.”
