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We began gathering to worship at our new location on Sunday, October 20th, 2024.
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Fresh Bread from the Pastor's Pen

In Matthew 6:9-10, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray, not only giving us a pattern for prayer but revealing profound truths about the nature of God. This passage calls us to recognize our Heavenly Father's sovereignty and personal nature. When we approach God in prayer, we acknowledge His authority and deep care for us as His children, a beautiful and powerful truth that shapes how we pray and live.

Our Father in Heaven: Sovereign and Personal

Jesus begins the Lord’s Prayer by directing us to address God as “Our Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9 LSB). This opening phrase holds a wealth of meaning. By calling God "Father," we are reminded of our intimate relationship with Him. He is not distant or detached; He is deeply personal, caring for us as His beloved children. At the same time, He is “in heaven,” emphasizing His authority and sovereignty over everything.

This dual recognition—of God as both Father and King—invites us to approach Him confidently. Knowing God is our Father means we can live without fear. He will provide for our needs, never forsake us, and guide us according to His will. When we pray, we can trust that God is not only able to act (because He is sovereign) but also willing to act (because He is our loving Father). This truth should fill our hearts with peace and assurance, even in life’s most uncertain moments.

Hallowed Be Your Name: Revering God’s Holiness

The next part of the prayer, “Hallowed be Your name,” calls us to recognize and revere the holiness of God. To hallow means to make something holy or to treat it as sacred. When we pray these words, we affirm that God’s name—His character, His reputation—is set apart and worthy of the highest honor.

Throughout Scripture, God’s holiness is central to His identity. The Old Testament contains several passages, including Genesis 1:1, where God’s holiness is displayed in His act of creation, and Leviticus 11:44, where He calls His people to be holy because He is holy. The psalmist echoes this truth, declaring, “Holy is He” (Psalm 99:3 LSB).

Recognizing God’s holiness leads us to live with a deep reverence for Him. Our prayers should not be flippant or mindless; they should reflect a heart in awe of the One who created the universe and yet desires a relationship with us. And God’s holiness is tied to His promises. He acts for the sake of His great name, ensuring that His promises are fulfilled, not because we deserve it but because His name is on the line.

God’s Promises for the Sake of His Holy Name

A key theme from Ezekiel 36:17-28 is that God acts for the sake of His holy name. Israel had profaned God’s name through their disobedience, yet God promised to restore and cleanse them, not because of their righteousness, but for the sake of His name. This passage gives us a profound insight into the heart of God. His actions are rooted in His desire to display His holiness and fulfill His promises.

This truth is not just for Israel but for all believers. God will always keep His promises because of His commitment to His holy name. This is why we can trust Him completely. When we pray, we are appealing to a God who is not only willing to act according to His promises but is bound by His holy character to do so.

Praying with Confidence in God’s Faithfulness

In the New Testament, Paul reiterates God's promise-keeping nature. He writes, “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 1:20 LSB). Every promise God has made is fulfilled in Christ. Whether it is the promise of salvation, His presence, or future glory, we can be confident that God will do what He has said.

This confidence transforms the way we pray. We do not approach God in doubt or uncertainty but in faith, knowing He is willing and able to accomplish His purposes. As we pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 LSB), we express trust in God’s sovereign plan and His ability to bring it to pass.

Conclusion: Praying as Disciples of a Holy God

As followers of Christ, we are called to pray with a recognition of God’s holiness and sovereignty. Matthew 6:9-10 reminds us that prayer is not just about asking for things but about aligning ourselves with the character and purposes of God. When we hallow His name, we acknowledge He is set apart and worthy of our reverence. When we trust in His promises, we express faith in His ability to keep those promises, not because of who we are but because of who He is.

In a world full of uncertainty, we can rest in the truth that our heavenly Father is sovereign, holy, and faithful. As we pray, let us do so with hearts full of trust, reverence, and confidence, knowing that God will always act for the sake of His holy name. We can pray ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name' with confidence that He will answer us according to His great Name.