Seeking God's Glory - Mining the Catechism

I love the way the Heidelberg Catechism treats "hallowed be your name" by talking both about knowing God (which then necessarily pours into honoring, glorifying, and praising) and directing our lives. When we truly know God, hallowing his name will be the response we desire, and then the prayer to shape our lives in that direction recognizes the Holy Spirit's work in our lives of overcoming sin that stands in the way of good desires. We have an important role in hallowing God's name, and God is necessary in that role from start to finish.

Lord’s Day 47

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

¹ Jer. 9:23-24; 31:33-34; Matt. 16:17; John 17:3

  ² Ex. 34:5-8; Ps. 145; Jer. 32:16-20; Luke 1:46-55, 68-75; Rom. 11:33-36

  ³ Ps. 115:1; Matt. 5:16