Lord, Teach Us To Pray: Week Two

Matthew 6:9-13

“Were we left to ourselves, any praying we did would both start and end with ourselves, for our natural self-centeredness knows no bounds.” - J.I. Packer

“The holiness of God is the infinite distance between his deity and our humanity.” - Philip Ryken

Before we can hallow God’s name,

something must be done about our sin. 

hallow: verb; to make or reveal as holy 

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. Psalm 24:3-4

God’s name in heaven is hallowed by our holy lives on earth.

hallow: verb; to make or reveal as holy 

“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” John 27:27-28a

“Hallowed be your name” is the only prayer we will pray forever. 

hallow: verb; to make or reveal as holy

“When some of the other petitions shall be useless and out of date, as we shall not need to pray in heaven, ‘Give us our daily bread,’ because there shall be no hunger; nor, ‘Forgive us our trespasses,’ because there shall be no sin; nor, ‘Lead us not into temptation,’ because the old serpent is not there to tempt; yet the hallowing of God’s name will be of great use and request in heaven; we shall be ever singing hallelujahs, which is nothing else but the hallowing of God’s name.” - Thomas Watson

PRAYER PROMPTS

God: Hallow your name in my actions.

  • “For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.” Leviticus 11:44

God: Hallow your name in my words.

  • Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

God: Hallow your name in my thoughts.

  • Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 

God: Hallow your name in my emotions. 

  • As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct… 1 Peter 1:14-15 

God: Hallow your name in my affections. 

  • As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? Psalm 42:1-2 

Life Group Discussion Questions

  1. How does the Lord’s Prayer differ from prayers we would form if left to ourselves?

  2. In your own words, what does it mean to hallow God’s name?

  3. Share some specific ways you could pursue holiness - and pray for holiness - in these areas of your life:

    a. Your actions

    b. Your words

    c. Your emotions

    d. Your thoughts

    e. Your affections.

  4. In view of the fact that we will continue to pray, “Hallowed be your name!” for all eternity, what needs to be different in your life today?