Episode 59: The First Petition of the Lord’s Prayer

Episode 59: The First Petition of the Lord’s Prayer

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The First Petition: Hallowed be Thy name. What does this mean?  

God’s name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also.

How is God’s name kept holy?   

God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God’s Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father!

The First Petition from the Large Catechism

  1. If God’s name is holy (without sin, godly, perfect, set apart) in itself without our prayer, then why do we pray for God’s name to be holy?
    We pray that it may be kept holy among us also.


  2. How is God’s name kept holy among us?
    1. When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity.
      “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” John 17:17
    1. When we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it.
      “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
      “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” Ephesians 4:1

  3. How is God’s name profaned among us?
    1. When anyone teaches contrary to God’s Word.
      “Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the LORD.’ Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the LORD, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:31-32
      See also Matthew 15:1-9
    1. When anyone lives contrary to God’s Word.
      “You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, ‘The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Romans 2:23-24

  • How does this petition connect with the Second Commandment?
    “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.” What does this mean? “We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.”
    When we pray that God would keep his name holy among us, we pray that we would keep the Second Commandment in what we say and do.

  • Why do you want God’s name to be kept holy in your life?
    • When God’s Word is taught in its truth and purity, I receive saving faith in my Savior. “‘For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? … So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:13-14, 17
    • When I live a holy life according to God’s Word, I please my heavenly Father, whom I love. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
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