Scripture Readings

Exodus 20:7
“You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.”

Psalm 111 – “Holy and awesome is his name.”

Matthew 7:21–23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven…”

What Does It Mean to Hallow God’s Name?

A Sunday school student once misheard the Lord’s Prayer and thought God’s name was “Howard.” It’s a funny story, but it reminds us how often we overlook the meaning behind the words we pray. When we say “Hallowed be thy name,” we are declaring that God’s name — God’s very being — is sacred and should be revered.

In Exodus 3, God revealed his name to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM” — YHWH. This name, so sacred it was never spoken aloud, was considered the closest thing to God’s actual presence. To misuse it was not just irreverent — it was dangerous. God’s name held power, and speaking it casually diminished the awe it deserved.

Even today, God’s name represents more than a label. It signifies the Creator who sustains our breath and life itself. To “hallow” it is to recognize and honor that power.

What Does “Hallow” Mean?

“Hallow” is an old word meaning “to make holy” or “to set apart.” But as theologian Dale Bruner points out, “set apart” can sound like something we ignore. Instead, he suggests the word “centralize.” When we pray “Hallowed be thy name,” we are asking God to centralize His presence — to bring His power and character to the center of our world.

This is the deep prayer of our hearts in times of division, violence, greed, and confusion. If God’s name — God’s nature — were recognized and centralized, peace would become possible.

How God’s Name Is Centralized

Sometimes we think the best way to honor God’s name is through public displays — events in parks, sermons over loudspeakers, or signs and billboards. These can be meaningful, but they’re not the heart of how God’s name is made known.

God’s name is revealed through relationship. When God sent Moses, He said, “Tell them the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob sent you.” God’s name was made known through people who partnered with Him. Jesus continued this work, hallowing God’s name through love, forgiveness, humility, and compassion.

As the saying goes, “Preach the gospel at all times; if necessary, use words.” The most powerful testimony to God’s name is not a sermon or a sign but a life lived faithfully.

Hallowing God’s Name in Everyday Life

Jesus warned in Matthew 7 that not everyone who does mighty works in His name truly honors Him. What matters is the inward relationship with God that produces humble acts of love and service. God’s name is best centralized not through spectacle but through ordinary faithfulness.

Think of the people who have brought Christ to the center of your life — teachers who encouraged you, parents or grandparents who showed up for you, friends who supported you. One such example was a man named Howard, who lived his faith quietly: mentoring kids, serving his church, greeting newcomers, and befriending neighbors. His ordinary faithfulness revealed God’s extraordinary presence.

No billboards. No headlines. Just a life centered on Jesus — and that was enough to hallow God’s name.