As you pray 'Holy be Your Name' and confess the perfect goodness and greatness of God, it isn't enough just to worship Him. A heart for God's holiness, and a recognition of our own failures, must prompt a desire - a prayer - that we would grow in holiness. Peter echoes the Old Testament refrain when he simply says,
"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" - 1 Peter 1:16-18
It is important to remember, at this point, that pursuit of such holiness must be through dependence on the work of God in our lives. Just as we could never muster the necessary holiness to be accepted and welcomed by God - only Jesus can make us acceptable - so we need faith to continue to be sanctified (made holy).
John Smed captures this succinctly.
John Smed captures this succinctly.
"We cannot impart holiness to ourselves. We cannot keep God's commandments or be like Jesus on our own. The good news is not only that Jesus lived and died as our substitute - He now gives the Holy Spirit to live within the very heart of every believer....
"The Christian life is impossible apart from the Holy Spirit. We are no more able to be holy in our own strength than we are able to leap through the stratosphere and escape the earth's gravity. In our fallen nature we are too weak. The gravity of this world's sin is too great.
"In order to break through the force of gravity a rocket requires an upward thrust of seventeen thousand miles per hour. This requires rocket fuel. To overcome the immense gravity of our weakness and sin we need more than natural power. We need supernatural power. This is why Jesus promises to give us His Holy Spirit....
"For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." - Romans 8:13
"When we pray 'Hallowed by your name," we ask for power. When we do, we will be filled with the courage and strength needed for a life of holiness."
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
- If we are to consider holiness as coming from God, how does that lead us to pray?
- What aspects of our need for holiness lead us to both praise and petition?
You can find Smed's comments in his study guide, 7 Day of Prayer with Jesus.