With the words “hallowed be your name,” Jesus introduces the first petition, or request, of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9). The first half of this prayer makes requests that focus on glory and honor to God, and the second half focuses on our needs as God’s people. Being the first request, “hallowed be your name” is the most weighty of all the petitions in this prayer.

We don’t use the word hallowed very often today. So what is this petition asking for? A more current wording could be “May your name be holy” or “May your name be honored and praised.”

In this appeal, we ask God to show the world who he is—to reveal his almighty power, wisdom, kindness, justice, mercy, and truth. We pray that God’s name may be recognized and honored now, even as we look forward to the day when “­every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).

In other words, “hallowed be your name” provides the foundation for our prayers, for our individual lives, and for our lives together as the church, Christ’s body on earth.

So when we pray these words, we are asking God to help us live today as his servants who reflect his glory and lordship everywhere, now and forever.

In what ways can you honor God’s name today?