This first petition in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) is designed to bring us further into the presence of God, but with the aim that God would be glorified.  Hence, when we pray “Hallowed be Your name,” we are in fact praying as such: “Lord, let Your name be hallowed in me so that I will experience who You are and give You praise; and let Your name be hallowed in my friends so that they also can know You and praise You.”  Therefore, though we are asking God to show Himself to us in all His glory, and though we are seeking to ascend further into the heavenlies to experience the awesomeness of God, the aim is not to get our personal needs met, rather it is that God would be lifted up and glorified.  Hence, in this first petition, Jesus is teaching us that we should start our prayers by recognizing God for who He is and by seeking to bring Him glory.

So how do we bring Him glory by praying “Hallowed be Your name?”  Well, here are two ways.  First, we can take this statement not only as a petition but also as adoration.  Hence, when we say “Hallowed be Your name” we can let those words remind us of the name “Father;” and we can think of all that He means to us as our Father.  We can think of how great and good He is; and then we can tell Him so.  Therefore, by this first petition, we worship Him and adore Him.

But let us not stop there.  Let’s remember that “Hallowed be Your name” is primarily a petition.  Therefore, Jesus is teaching us here that we ought to ask Him to hallow His own name.  This is the first priority in praye

What it means to hallow God’s name.  There are two things to consider here: His name and the hallowing of His name.  First of all, let’s take a look at “Your name.”  Andrew Murray has said that the name spoken of here is “Father,” referring back to “Our Father in heaven.”  Lenski suggests, however, that we should think of His name as being God’s word, because, he says, “God’s Word is his onoma, his complete name, made known to us that we may know God and enter into communion with him.”  I like what both of these men have said.  I like what Murray said because the name Father is more in keeping with the context of this prayer.  However, I tend to agree more with Lenski because I think we are to hallow all that He is—His complete name.  Yes, we are to hallow God in all of His character and attributes.

 Now what does hallowed mean?  How do we hallow His name and pray that His name be hallowed?  The most basic meaning of this word is to sanctify or make holy, which means to separate from that which is profane and earthly.  In this verse it means that we are to recognize God as different and holy, then to treat Him as holy, and to pray that He would be treated as holy.  Moreover, we are to pray that His name be esteemed and praised by all men.