Bonus Post: God's Holy Name

Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Matthew 6:1-24

Sometimes God calls us back to basics. In the heart of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Jesus teaches the crowds how to pray. That ‘template’ for prayer has become an opportunity for us to agree together on many a Sunday, prayer gathering, and personal time spent in God’s presence. I’ve been leaning into the Common English Bible (CEB) translation this year, and today is another day that I’m reminded how much language matters to draw out points that we may otherwise miss in a quick reading or recitation of a well known prayer.

“Uphold the holiness of your name…” - We typically say ‘hallowed’ or we attribute holiness to the name of God. But look at the wording here… again, it is not our actions or our attributions, but instead we look to God to uphold the holiness of God’s name. It reminds me of Psalm 46:10 where we are reminded to be still because God’s name WILL be praised in all the nations. Uphold the holiness of your name God, through our obedience and devotion to you.

And…

“Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven…” - Again, I reflect on the call to be still, while seeing a new vision of heaven. We think of the imagery of the New Jerusalem coming down from the clouds, but what if… - indulge me here for a moment - what if all this time God has been preparing the Church to rise up and BE the new Jerusalem right here where we are? Bring in your kingdom or bring UP your kingdom here on earth God, so that we may honor your name, which you uphold as holy.

How can we pray The Lord’s Prayer and mean it just a little bit more? How can we trust God to uphold the holiness of God’s name, and to bring forth the kingdom in unexpected ways because of the faithfulness of the Church?

For more content like this, be sure to follow millvillenazarene on Instagram and Facebook!