In a discipleship class, the participants were asked to monitor their prayer requests in a prayer journal. The purpose was to keep track of things they would present to God. By doing so, they were encouraged to pray beyond their own individual needs.
What are some things we pray for? Good health? Healing? A promotion? More money? It’s interesting that Jesus told us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, may Your name be kept holy,” or “hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9 NKJV).
Hallow, a seldom-used word, is used four other times in the Bible. What does it mean? To hallow God’s name is to:
• Believe and trust in God. In Numbers 20, instead of obeying God and speaking to the rock to obtain water, Moses struck it twice. God indicted Moses of sin: “You did not trust Me enough to demonstrate My holiness to the people” (v.12).
• Fear God more than we fear men. When we’re caught in a hostile situation, God reminds us to make Him “holy in your life. He is the one you should fear” (Isaiah 8:13).
• Obey God’s commandments. After instructing the people in the importance of holiness (Lev. 17–26), Moses concluded with these words from God, “You must faithfully keep all My commands by putting them into practice. . . . Do not bring shame on My holy name” (22:31-32).
• Glorify God by living holy lives. God’s glory is present in His holiness (Leviticus 10:3). And God is glorified when we live holy lives. “You must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy” (1 Peter 1:15).
Jesus tells us to pray that we will honor, revere, and glorify God as the holy Father. We honor God’s name when we trust Him, fear Him, obey Him, and live a holy life.
More:
Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when He judges the world (1 Peter 2:12).
Next:
What is one thing you can do to bring honor and glory to God this week? How will you live a more holy life in Jesus?
lindagma on August 3, 2010 at 6:42 am
Our Sunday school lesson this week was about having respect for God, recognizing that He is holy. Even as Christians, wanting to please God, we can get caught up in our own “works”. We do all things through CHRIST who STRENGTHENS us. Not us, not our good intentions, but CHRIST.. or GOD. When we do that, we take away from God’s ability, and others see “us” and not HIM. As Christians, long time in the faith, it becomes almost routine… and before we know it, we have put God on “our level”… lacking the respect for who He is… that He is GOD. A trap of the human flesh and a tool of satan. Sometimes a little time away with nature… a beautiful sunset… a newborn baby… can be a reminder of who we are and who HE IS.
Bryan B on August 3, 2010 at 9:21 am
I strongly recommend using a prayer journal. It helps keep you organized, helps to focus your prayer time, and helps you to realize the works that God has done over time.
If you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod, you may want to check out this app: http://iproduceapps.com/prayerjournal. I am the author of it and it has helped out countless people around the world.
agapegirl88 on August 3, 2010 at 10:12 am
I think I will start a prayer journal that sounds like a good idea. I am in the middle of a situation that right now is difficult to bear and was very intense last week. My sister had been struggling with suicide and last week she was admitted to a hospital to protect her. We are praising God for His faithfulness through everything and that He gave us the chance to intervene even before she came even closer, but there is a long road ahead for her and all involved. My struggle this week is keeping focused on praying for her and allowing God to comfort me as well, and not just sitting in the pain and sadness but continueing to rejoice for all God has already done. Please be praying for her and for our family.
grace and peace
agapegirl88
Soldier4Christ on August 3, 2010 at 12:13 pm
agapegirl88, I will keep your sister in my prayers as well as your family. When someone we love attempts suicide it effects everyone in the family. I am believing that God is going to use this tragic situation for good and that when you all come out on the other side that you and your family will be stronger for it. My wife was suicidal at one point many years ago, but with God watching over us we got through it and now she is alive and serving God. May God be with you all.
bethanyF on August 3, 2010 at 4:28 pm
I will thank Him.
laincy on August 3, 2010 at 6:55 pm
I have been working in this company for a few months now, and the situation is always hostile daily. Hostilities from the workers and we are foreigners managing them. We middle managers will have to face the hostilities from our bosses too, who want to rule with a iron hand. Stuck in between, we can feel the burden and hostilities.
Every morning, i will do my devotion in the office as we worked 7 days a week by 14 hours a day. God always speaks to me in many ways. Anyway, praise to Him, as I always believe He will not give us a weight that we are unable to carry.