“Hallowed be thy name”

Over the next few weeks, in our devotions we’ll take a look at each phrase in the Lord’s Prayer, one at a time.  This week’s phrase is, “Hallowed be thy name.”

¹⁰ The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.                                                             – Proverbs 18:10

What’s in a name?  It’s more than just words.  Your name includes the attachments of everything you have said and done.

As recently as 2000, the name “Ken Lay” would have been highly honored by many Americans.  This entrepreneur had founded Enron, helped thousands of people to have good jobs, and was one of America’s highest-paid CEOs, earning $42 million per year.  He also was a philanthropist.  Did you know that the YMCA down the street from our church used to be called “Ken Lay YMCA?”  That’s because he donated money to build the facility.

But then came 2001, when Enron went bankrupt.  This became the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history.  20,000 employees lost their life savings.  Investors in Enron lost billions of dollars.  in 2006, Ken Lay was found guilty of several charges of fraud and conspiracy.  Six weeks later, before he could be sentenced for his crimes, he died.  And after he died, the YMCA of Greater Houston’s Board of Directors changed the name of the facility down the street to “Katy Family YMCA.”

A good name can take a lifetime to build and a moment to destroy.  How wonderful that the name of the LORD will never change!  His name is a sturdy, fortified tower.  We run to it and are safe.  That’s because he always does the right thing.  His unconditional love never changes.  His promises are never shaky.  His words are never hollow.  Everything God says and does has your best interest in mind.

Hallow God’s name today…that is, set it apart as something sacred and special.  Because his name – his words and his actions – will always be consistently perfect.

Prayer (written by Martin Luther, about the words, “Hallowed be thy name”):

Father, Son, Spirit:  Your name is our strong fortress where we find refuge and are safe.  In your Holy Word, you have revealed yourself to us as our Creator, our Redeemer, and our Sanctifier.  Who could thank you enough for this treasure?  Without your Word, we poor, blind sinners would still be groping in darkness.  Even now, in our weakness, we provoke your anger by putting our confidence in that which is not God, and which can never save us.

Help us to honor your name in our hearts by holding fast to your precious promises, and by making them our greatest treasure.  Help us honor your name on our lips by a pure and faithful recounting of all that you have done to save us.  And help us honor your name on our lips by a pure and faithful recounting of all that you have done to save us.  And help us honor your name with our lives, that we may reflect your glory in holiness   Amen.