In verses Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus provides a model for believers to follow as they pray. He is speaking to crowds that have gathered around Him as He sits and preaches. Jesus is sharing that believers are not to pray to draw attention to ourselves or to just say Christian phrases so we sound good. He exhorts us to pray differently. He then shares what is commonly called the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus says, “Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread,
¹² and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.”

The second line, “. . .hallowed be your name” prompts our minds to focus on the fact that while God is our Dad, He is to be approached with respect and awe. This line is a reminder that as we pray, we stand in the presence of a Holy God, so we must not have unconfessed sin or be living in disobedience. We approach God through the righteousness and holiness of Jesus, standing on our belief that He died on the cross for our sins.

We are entering the holy presence of the same God Who causes all-consuming fire to fall on wickedness (Genesis 19:24) and the earth to swallow up those who are disobedient (Numbers 16:32). This is the same God Who flooded the earth due to man’s sin (Genesis 6:17) and yet cares about every single bird (Matthew 6:26). God is all-knowing and all-powerful as He reigns from His heavenly throne room. If ever we feel our hearts are too casual with approaching the Almighty God, let Revelation chapter 4 remind us.

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for showing us how to pray. May we always remember You are a Holy God sitting on Your throne with flashes of lightning, and rumblings of thunder. You shine like jasper and carnelian, and around Your throne is a rainbow and twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. Before Your throne are the seven torches of fire and a sea of glass, like crystal. Help us to approach You with awe as the Holy God You are. May we reflect Your holiness to a hurting world. In Jesus name we pray, amen.