Have you ever considered what is commonly called the Lord’s Prayer? In the Good News recorded by Matthew, Jesus says this is how we should pray:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.*
What does hallowed be your name mean? One commentator suggests the meaning here is, “Let your name be celebrated, and venerated, and esteemed as holy everywhere, and receive of all men proper honors.”
What’s the big deal about God’s name? What makes people celebrate God’s name?
The people in Bible times had about 16 different names for God based on how they experienced him a different times and in different places. They had these experiences because they trusted God when he called out to them. Here are some of his names. (In Hebrew the word for God is El.)
Name Meaning Bible Reference
El Shaddai God of the mountain Genesis 17:11
El Elyon God Most High Genesis 14:18
El Olan God Eternal Genesis 21:33
El Berit God of the Covenant Judges 9:46
Would you consider trusting God so that you can experience him in a way that reveals his holy name to you?
cultural atheist 