How to pray (part 3)

As we look at the model of prayer, given by Jesus, in Matthew 6, we learn just how to pray. Last week,as Jesus prays, “Our Father,” we realize we all belong here! To know that you belong, that I belong, is an amazing feeling!

The week before that, we found out, some call The Lord’s Prayer, the Disciple’s Prayer. Jesus is in fact teaching us to pray as He prays. We also learned within the Lord’s Prayer are two distinct sections, intentional and significant. The first section focusing on God and the second moves into the “us” section, where we ask and God provides.

Today, we are still in the “God” part, as we look at God as holy.

Jesus says, in Matthew 6:9;

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven….”

“Hallowed be your name”

The definition of hallowed is “to honor as holy.”

Leviticus 11:44 states, ^“I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:15 reads, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;”

Why is it important to understand the holiness of God? And why should we strive to be holy people?

When we pray, “Hallowed be your name,” we are not praying for God to be holy. We are acknowledging God is already holy. By praying, we are asking God to reveal His holiness to us and show us who He is.

In Exodus Chapter 3, Moses encounters the burning bush. God calls Moses by name and he responds by approaching the bush. Moses says, “Here I am.” God tells him to “take off his shoes, for the ground he is standing on is holy ground.” Then, God reveals Himself to Moses. God says, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.”

In response, Moses hid his face because he was afraid of God. We do not have to be afraid of God. Instead, we should revere His holiness.

When we come into God’s presence, by way of prayer, we connect with God. This exposure to The Holiness makes some of our un-holiness disappear. In His presence, God reveals who He is and who we are.

“Standing on Holy Ground.”

Just like God called Moses by name, God is calling us by name. Even in all of God’s holiness, He knows our name. As we come into a right relationship with God, we realize, there is no fear. Only love!

We have got to get this “God” part straight first. We don’t have to get it right, but we do need to hold it in a right perspective. Then and only then, can we move to the “us’ part of this prayer.

Join me next week, as we look at “thy Kingdom come” and what that might look like.

Let us pray:

Almighty God, Creator of the entire universe, Maker of my world, help me to understand Your Holiness. Reveal to me who You are and who I am to You. Forgive me for not holding You in the holiness You are. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

P.S. Leave me a comment below because I love hearing from you. Forward this message to a friend and ask them to subscribe to my website. Share this message on Facebook and tag me and others in it. Until next time, reflect on the holiness of God, and hear Him calling your name. -M