Start your day with quick daily devotions: February 12, 2021

Scripture reading - Psalm 145: 1-7, 17-21 My mouth will speak in praise to the Lord. May every creature praise his holy name forever and ever. - Psalm 145: 21 With the words "hallowed be thy name," Jesus introduces the first petition, or request, of the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6: 9). The first half of this prayer makes requests focused on the glory and honor of God, and the second half focuses on our needs as God's people. Being the first request, "hallowed be your name" is the heaviest of all. the petitions in this prayer.

Today we don't use the word sanctified very often. So what is this petition asking for? A more current wording might be "May your name be holy" or "May your name be honored and praised". In this appeal we ask God to show the world who he is, to reveal his almighty power, wisdom, kindness, justice, mercy and truth. We pray that God's name may be recognized and honored now, even as we look forward to the day when "every knee will bow, in heaven, on earth and under the earth, and every tongue recognizes that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father ”(Philippians 2: 10-11). In other words, "hallowed be your name" provides the foundation for our prayers, for our individual lives, and for our lives together as a church, the body of Christ on earth. So when we pray these words, we ask God to help us live today as his servants who reflect his glory and lordship everywhere, now and forever. In what ways can you honor God's name today? Prayer: Father, may you be glorified in and through our lives and the church everywhere on earth. Amen.