Hallowed Be Your Name Learning to Pray with Wonder, Confidence, and Peace Jesus does something deeply intentional in the Lord’s Prayer. Before He teaches His followers to ask God for anything, He teaches them to remember who God is. Prayer is not meant to begin with panic, requests, or anxiety—it begins with worship. Coleton explains that when Jesus says, “Hallowed be Your name,” He is teaching us to fill our minds and hearts with the greatness, faithfulness, and power of God before we ever bring Him our needs. This message is an invitation to become people who truly pray—not mechanically, not cautiously, but with boldness, awe, confidence, and trust. “Our Father in Heaven” — Remember Who You’re Talking To Matthew 6:9–13 “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name…’” Coleton begins by reminding the church why this prayer series matters so much to him personally. About ten years ago, he began pursuing a deeper prayer life because he wanted prayer to become more than a religious duty—he wanted to love it. During that journey, one quote changed the way he viewed prayer forever. Quote “Satan dreads nothing but prayer. His one concern is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, he mocks our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray.” — Samuel Chadwick That quote helped Coleton realize why prayer often feels difficult. The enemy is not intimidated by human strength, intelligence, or activity. He trembles at the power of God accessed through prayer. Prayer matters because God moves through it. Last week’s focus in the series was the phrase “Our Father in heaven.” Jesus first teaches us that prayer begins by remembering who we are talking to: not a distant force, but a loving Father who welcomes His children. Now Jesus takes us one step further. “Hallowed Be Your Name” — Prayer Begins with Worship Coleton explains that “hallowed” means to treat God’s name as holy, weighty, glorious, and worthy of worship. Quote “‘Hallowed be your name’ means ‘let [your name] be regarded as holy.’ It is not so much a petition as an act of worship; the speaker, by his words, exalts the holiness of God.” — Tremper Longman III Quote “Hallowing is an active kind of praying—honoring, adoring, and naming the greatness of God. While ‘Our Father’ is a reminder of God’s intimacy; ‘hallowed’ is a reminder of His incomprehensible greatness.” — Tyler Staton Coleton explains that hallowing God’s name looks like: Saying what is true about God Remembering what He has done Repeating what He has promised Declaring what is possible with Him This kind of prayer fills the heart with worship before requests are ever made. The Psalms Show Us What Hallowing Looks Like Psalm 44 — Remembering God’s Power Scripture “With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our ancestors… it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face…” — Psalm 44:2–3 The psalmist spends enormous time recounting God’s past faithfulness. He talks about victories God gave, enemies God defeated, and promises God fulfilled. Coleton points out something fascinating: much of this prayer is telling God things He already knows. Why? Not because God needs reminding—but because we do. We forget who He is. We forget what He has done. We forget His power, His promises, and His faithfulness. Hallowing God’s name recenters the soul. 1. Hallowing His Name Expands Our Vision of What Is Possible One of the main effects of worshipful prayer is that it stretches our faith. Quote “The wonderful thing about praying is that you leave a world of not being able to do something and enter into God’s realm where everything is possible. He specializes in the impossible.” — Corrie ten Boom Coleton says many Christians pray extremely safe prayers: “Keep them safe.” “Help them have a good day.” “Bless this meal.” Those prayers are not wrong—but if we truly believe we are speaking to the God of the impossible, why do we so rarely ask Him for impossible things? Hallowing His name enlarges our imagination for what God can do. Hezekiah’s Prayer — Worship Before Deliverance Scripture 2 Kings 19:14–19 King Hezekiah is surrounded by an enormous Assyrian army. Humanly speaking, defeat seems certain. But notice how he prays: “Lord, the God of Israel… you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth…” Before asking for rescue, Hezekiah hallows God’s name. He reminds himself that Assyria may be powerful, but God rules every kingdom on earth. Only after worship does he ask for deliverance. Coleton explains that worship gave Hezekiah courage to pray boldly in an impossible situation. The Apostles in Acts 4 — Worship Produces Boldness Scripture Acts 4:24–30 After Peter and John are arrested and threatened, the disciples gather to pray. What is shocking is what they don’t pray for. They do not pray for safety. They do not pray for persecution to stop. Instead they pray: “Enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders…” Why? Because they began by hallowing God’s name. They remembered that God is sovereign, powerful, and able to use evil for good. Worship gave them courage. Even Jesus Prayed This Way Scripture Mark 14:36 “Abba, Father… everything is possible for you.” In Gethsemane, Jesus Himself begins by declaring what is true about the Father: everything is possible for Him. Coleton emphasizes that hallowing God’s name even led Jesus to pray honestly and boldly. Hallowing Changes the Way We Pray Coleton gives vivid examples of what this can look like in everyday life. Instead of praying weak, hopeless prayers, we pray with remembrance: “You are the God who split the Red Sea—make a way for me.” “You heard Hannah’s prayer after years of waiting—hear mine too.” “You turned Saul into Paul—change this person’s heart.” “You used evil for Joseph’s good—redeem this painful situation.” Hallowing God’s name teaches us to pray according to God’s character and history. Asking Big Things Honors God Quote “Our God is so good, gracious, and powerful that we can never ask or assume too much of him. We don’t offend Him with large requests; we offend Him with small ones!” — J.D. Greear Coleton shares the story of Alexander the Great generously granting a soldier’s extravagant request because the request honored both his wealth and generosity. In the same way, bold prayer honors God because it assumes He is both powerful and good. 2. Hallowing His Name Produces Peace, Rest, and Confidence Hallowing God’s name does not only increase boldness—it also calms fear. Psalm 46 — Worship Leads to Fearlessness Scripture “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1 Then comes the result: “Therefore we will not fear…” — Psalm 46:2 The psalmist’s peace flows from remembering who God is. Coleton explains that worship anchors the soul in unstable moments. Psalm 23 — David’s Confidence Came from God’s Character Scripture “The Lord is my shepherd…” Outcome: “I lack nothing.” Scripture “You are with me…” Outcome: “I will fear no evil.” David’s peace was connected to his remembrance of God’s presence and care. Coleton and Rainey’s Story of Fear and Faith Coleton shares a deeply personal moment when someone falsely accused him and tried to get him fired. Sitting in the car devastated, he and Rainey began hallowing God’s name together. They remembered: God sustaining their long-distance relationship God healing their relationship during difficult seasons God opening ministry doors unexpectedly God never once failing them As they remembered God’s faithfulness, peace slowly replaced fear. Their conclusion became: “If God has been faithful before, He will be faithful again.” And God ultimately took care of them. Hallowing God’s Name in Real Life Coleton gives practical examples of how worship reshapes fear: When Facing Enemies God used Saul’s attacks to prepare David for kingship. No enemy can stop God’s plan. When Struggling with Sin God promises grace greater than our failures. Scripture “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” When Worried About Provision Jesus said the Father cares for birds and flowers—and values His children far more. When Life Feels Chaotic God still reigns over nations and history. When Facing Death Jesus transformed death from ultimate loss into the doorway to eternal life. Hallowing His name teaches believers to trust God in every circumstance. Jesus Prepares Us Before We Ask Coleton points out something powerful in the Lord’s Prayer: Jesus has not told us to ask for anything yet. Before requests come: We remember He is Father. We remember He is holy. We remember His power. We remember His faithfulness. Only then are we prepared to pray boldly and trustingly. Practical Ways to Practice Hallowing His Name 1. Begin Prayer with Worship Coleton encourages using worship music to shape the heart before praying. Songs mentioned: “Good Plans” — Red Rocks Worship “Same God” — Elevation Worship “Won’t Stop Now” — Elevation Worship “Do It Again” — Elevation Worship “I Believe” — Charity Gayle “The Truth” — Megan Woods “Don’t Fight Alone” — Jon Reddick 2. Remember God’s Promises in Scripture The Bible teaches us what God has done before so we can trust what He will do again. Coleton emphasizes that Scripture fuels confident prayer. 3. Remember God’s Faithfulness in Your Own Life Reflect on: Ways God provided Times He protected Seasons He healed Moments He restored Remembering past faithfulness strengthens present trust. 4. Practice Gratitude Coleton references One Thousand Gifts and how gratitude journals helped cultivate trust in God’s faithfulness. The more we notice God’s goodness, the easier it becomes to trust Him for impossible things. Closing Challenge Quote “Powerful prayer begins with adoration.” — Tyler Staton The heart of this sermon is simple but transformative: Jesus wants His people to pray with power. And powerful prayer begins by hallowing the name of God—remembering who He is, what He has done, and what is still possible with Him. Discipleship Group Questions Why do you think Jesus teaches us to worship before asking for things in prayer? How could that reshape your prayer life? What are some “safe prayers” you tend to pray? What impossible or faith-filled prayers might God be inviting you to begin praying? Which story or example from this sermon encouraged you the most personally, and why? Where have you seen God’s faithfulness in your own past? How can remembering those moments strengthen your trust in your current season? What practical step can you take this week to begin “hallowing His name” more intentionally in prayer? Culture of Gospel Share this with someone in your life who doesn’t know Jesus Christianity is not about pretending to be strong—it’s about discovering that there is a God so loving, powerful, and faithful that you can bring Him your impossible situations and your deepest fears. Jesus teaches us that prayer is not talking into the dark, but speaking to a Father who hears, cares, and still changes lives today.