Day 7: Hallowed

This might be the most difficult line of the Lord's Prayer to understand, simply because it uses language mostly unfamiliar to us(unless of course you spend a bit of time with Harry Potter). Its unfamiliarity often causes this line to roll off my tongue without too much thought or conviction, so I found it helpful to define a few words and then see the phrase in a few different translations.

The Holman Christian Standard Bible renders this line, “Let your name be honoured as holy," and the Contemporary English Version translates it "Help us to honour your name." The word “hallowed” here is the word often translated "sanctified" and it means to be set apart; greatly revered or honoured.  

So far Jesus has instructed his disciples to approach God as gracious and compassionate Father, the one who is Most High and yet draws intimately near. While this line affirms God's holiness(which we already said is part of His "far-ness"), it goes a step further and also asks God to help the one praying to be awestruck by it.*

If you've been around church you probably have a pretty good idea of what it means for God to be Holy.  We learned last week that it means distinct in both a spatial sense(he's transcendent) and also in a moral sense(he's entirely without sin.)  

I feel incompetent to adequately flesh out this word in this space(maybe in any space!), but it's been helpful for me to think of God's Holiness as the defining characteristic of his "otherness."  This absolute purity of character is not just another entry on a long list of traits, instead it fundamentally defines every other trait.  If I can put it more simply, God is holy good, holy loving, holy patient, holy sovereign, holy just and holy holy.  

That's a lot of intellectual jargon there, but the essence of this is profound for our prayer life.  I'm blown away by this thought by author Donald McCullough: 

"God's holiness may be summarized this way; God is utterly distinct and this set apartness consists in the fact that God redeems, that God loves.  Holiness therefore refers to the fact that God is antithetical to humanity precisely in the overcoming of this antithesis."

I know, it hurts my brain too.  Thank goodness for authors who interpret authors.  Here's a clearer explanation of that thought:

"In other words what makes God holy and different from us, is that he draws nears precisely when humans would run away."**

Yes that.  That is an amazing thought.  Loving those who hate you, saving those who brought trouble on themselves, drawing near to the sinner?  How many times have you envisioned Him sitting on the throne shaking his head or sighing deeply at your latest mess-up?  Not God my friend.  He is Holy love.  Holy patient.  Holy holy.  At that moment of failure when you are sure He is furthest away, it is then He is most near.  His holiness is what guarantees that.

Part of what it means to pray "hallowed be your name," is to ask God to open our eyes to this unbelievable holiness that we might respond rightly.  To see clearly the holiness of God ought to bring about the recognition of our own sinfulness yes, and also the understanding that anything good in this life is wrapped up in the goodness of God Himself. In the words of Julian of Norwich, "God is all that is good, and the goodness that all things have-it is He!"

The prophet Isaiah actually saw the holiness of God.  We're going to read though his encounter today in attempt to form our hearts in love and awe of our Holy God.  Find it near the middle of your Bible, or use this link to read Isaiah 6:1-8.  Note/circle/list everything that Isaiah sees in verses 1-4.  What does each thing he sees teach us about the character of God?  Now read through verses 5-8 and pay attention to how Isaiah responds to His vision of God.  Consider how the Lord is calling you to respond to the truth of his holiness today.  What must you do?  What must you turn from?

Finally, let's pray together.  The words are becoming familiar in a new way right?  As you pray each line, consider the posture it affords you, and your purpose in praying it.

Our Father,

 Come to the one who knows and loves you intimately.  Receive His love.  

 Revel in what this means for you and talk to Him about it.

In heaven,

Tell Him all the ways He is greater and Most High, then focus on His nearness.  Remember He delights in being with you, that His presence gives you new life.  So hang out here as you need.  

Hallowed be Your name

Talk to God about what He has revealed to you today about His holiness.  Give to him all the honour and praise He is due, then ask Him to open your eyes to His uniqueness and help you to genuinely love and revere Him more because of it. 

Your Kingdom come.

Give us each day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

And lead us not into temptation." (Luke 11:1-4 ESV) 

Love praying with you friend.  See you tomorrow.

*R.C Sproul, “Hallowed be thy name,” 2018.

**Skye Jethani, With God Daily