Hallowed Be Thy Name

The first part of the Our Father ends with the words ‘on earth as it is in heaven’.

Try adding these words to each of the opening phrases of the prayer. So, today’s prayer will read: ‘Hallowed be thy name on earth as it is in heaven.’

This can help us to know what it is we are praying for today.

As far as we can understand, heaven is the reality of total prayer and praise of God. In heaven, God’s name is held holy. The angels sing ‘Holy, holy, holy!’ Every notion and image of heaven is centered round the all-encompassing holiness of God in whom everything is fulfilled.

So, we strive, as best we can, to make the praise of God the centre of our lives, the most important thing we can secure. We have been created to praise God, to hallow His name. This is the greatest source of joy: to bow in humble adoration and proclaim: ‘My God how great Thou art.’

To profane the name of God is to denigrate ourselves and each other. It undermines the very dignity of each person. Life is harsher when the name of God is used casually or even aggressively.

Pray for Five:

Today, let’s pray for an increasing reverence for God’s name, for a recognition that God is at the heart of everything that is good in this life. Especially, let’s pray these things for our five people. Hallowed be Thy name.

By Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catcholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.