This second phrase, "Holy be Your Name," fittingly follows on from our prayerful approach to God as King. As soon as we recognize God as the majestic King of the Universe we must rightly respond to Him with this recognition of His holiness and prayerful worship.
Tim Keller, in his book on prayer, references some thoughts offered by John Calvin. These thoughts are fitting considering God's majesty and holiness leads us to approach Him as perfect.
Tim Keller, in his book on prayer, references some thoughts offered by John Calvin. These thoughts are fitting considering God's majesty and holiness leads us to approach Him as perfect.
"Calvin's first rule for prayer is the principle of reverence or the 'fear of God.' ...The fear of God obviously means to be afraid, but afraid of what - and why?
It is natural to think that the fear of God means to be afraid He is going to punish us. 1 John 4:18, however, tells us that 'perfect love drives out fear' and adds that the kind of fear it drives out has 'to do with punishment.' Romans 8:1 teaches that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
What, then, should a Christian be afraid of regarding God?
Think of it like this. Imagine that you suddenly are introduced to some person you have always admired enormously...you reach out to shake her hand and suddenly it hits you. You can't believe you are actually meeting her. You discover to your embarrassment that you are trembling and sweating, and when you try to speak, you are out of breath...you are not afraid of being hurt, or punished. Rather, you are genuinely afraid of doing something stupid or saying something that is inappropriate to the person and the occasion. Your joyful admiration has a fearful aspect to it. You are in awe, and therefore you don't want to mess up.
That captures the concept of the 'fear of God' as well as anything I know. We could say that punishment is a self-absorbed kind of fear. It happens to people wrapped up in themselves. Those who believe the gospel - who believe that they are the recipients of undeserved but unshakeable grace - grow in a paradoxically loving yet joyful fear...we tremble with the privilege of being in His presence and with an intense longing to honour Him when we are there.
To put it another way - you would be quite afraid if someone put a beautiful, priceless, ancient Ming dynasty vase in your hands. You wouldn't be trembling with fear about the vase hurting you but about you hurting it. Of course, we can't really harm God, but a Christian should be intensely concerned not to grieve or dishonour the One who is so glorious and who did so much for us.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
- How does Keller's explanation impact your view of God and prayer?
- By prayerfully reflecting on God's greatness, how are you led to pray?
- If this second phrase leads you to moments of worship, what should follow?
- BONUS QUESTION: how does Keller's analogy of our treatment of God being akin to holding a Ming vase lead you to pray 'Holy be Your Name'?
Tim Keller's book on prayer is aptly titled, Prayer.