After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Matthew 6:9 (KJV)

Dear God, I think we tend to read over this part of the Lord’s Prayer, but it’s no accident that acknowledging you, who you are, and your holiness is the first step. “Hallowed be thy name.” How often we forget to worship you in our prayers. How often I forget.

I decided to look up a definition for “hallowed.” Here’s what I found on Merriam-Webster:

When the translators for the King James version were coming up with what word they should use to describe what the original text was saying, this was the best they could do. Since then, other translators have taken a shot at it:

• New American Standard: Hallowed
• New International Version: Hallowed
• New Living Translation: Holy

It’s interesting that two out of the three stayed with Hallowed. I guess when you get it right you get it right, and the translators of the King James Version got it right. That’s as good as we can do in the English language for revering your name.

Father, help me to remember to revere you in everything I do. Help me to always lead with worship and reverence whenever I pray to you. Help me to not forget that this is the most important part of my prayer—that’s why it’s first. You are my God. You are my Lord. You are the only one in whom I can put my trust. I cannot put my faith in our government or military, our economy, my relatives, my wife, my children, my health, etc. All I have is you. You are my hope. You are my source for peace. Hallowed is your name.

Of course, I pray all of this through the grace of your precious son and in his name, Jesus,

Amen