When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, he started out by teaching them to address God as ‘Our Father’ and then immediately focused their attention to the Holiness of God, borne in his Name. But have you noticed, that Jesus did not merely express the holiness of God’s name by saying “Hallowed is thy Name”, but instead said “Hallowed BE thy Name.”  There is absolutely no doubt that God’s Name is Holy, but is there a possibility of God’s Name being dishonored and not being treated as Holy?

We can dishonor God and not treat his name with respect (hallow it) by our words. Exodus 20:7 establishes that one should not take the name of the Lord in vain, for in doing so, one is guilty of not hallowing God’s name. We can also dishonor God and not treat his name with respect (hallow it), by our deeds (actions). The book of Proverbs in chapter 30 verses 8 and 9 states, “Give us just enough, not too much (riches) nor too little (poverty), but just what is needed, lest in our fullness we deny God or in our emptiness steal and take the name of the Lord in vain.”

Points to ponder:
So when we pray, “Hallowed be thy name.”, let us recognize that in our words and in our deeds we can dishonor God’s name. For God’s name to BE hallowed, our lives must match what our lips teach, i.e., in our actions and in our words, we must be able to say “Hallowed BE thy Name.”

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

Exodus 20:7 (KJV)
7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Proverbs 30:8-9 (KJV)
8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.