Tell them "I am who I am" sent you. Ex. 3:13
Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God. Ex. 20:7
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (Jn. 14:13)
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit--fruit that will last--and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (Jn. 15:16)
Thoughts: The name of God is important. God is not everything or anything. God is a specific, personal being with a name. There are many names for God in the Bible- pronouns like "God (El)" or attributes like "The Holy One" or "God Almighty (El Shaddai)". But the name given to Moses in Exodus 3- ["Tell them I am sent you- I am who I am (Yahweh)], is the name above all names. God has an address- a name. Often the word "Lord" is used in place of this name. in the New Testament Jesus is called "Lord." Jesus is also the name by which we approach the triune God. Our claim to the ear of the Father through the name of Jesus gives us the key to the door of the throne room- allowing us confidence in prayer. The first step in prayer is knowing who we are addressing in prayer. Christian prayer is not bending God to us but us to God. We ask God about our needs and desires- but we do so recognizing that His will, not ours, is what needs to be done. Our prayer is made to the Lord through the Son who died to give us good standing to communicate with Him. Xerxes extended the golden scepter so Ruth could approach him. Christ is the golden scepter that is extended to us. We ask to the name and for the name. All prayers recognize- it is His kingdom and His will- not ours- that should be done. Older ways of praying would often add, "For the sake of your name" or "For the sake of your Son." We ask that God would bless us that people would see the Blessor and glorify God. We ask that God would bless us that we would have opportunity to bear fruit for His Kingdom.
Prayer: Lord, let me not demean your name- but glorify your name.
Q & A 122
Q. What does the first petition mean?
A. “Hallowed be your name” means: Help us to truly know you,1 to honor, glorify, and praise you for all your works and for all that shines forth from them: your almighty power, wisdom, kindness, justice, mercy, and truth.2 And it means, Help us to direct all our living— what we think, say, and do— so that your name will never be blasphemed because of us but always honored and praised.3
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