Starting Point

Introduction

Ever had one of those mornings where you’re late, stressed, and convinced your keys have vanished—only to find them in your pocket the whole time? I have. And it got me thinking…

Sometimes we approach prayer like that—frantic, focused on what we need, searching for answers. But Jesus starts the Lord’s Prayer differently. He hands us the key first: ‘Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come.’ Before we ask for anything, we’re invited to remember who holds the keys. Who’s in charge. Who’s holy. Who’s building something bigger than our to-do list.”

You could label a few keys with tags like “My plans,” “My worries,” “My needs,” and then hold up one labeled “His name” or “His kingdom” to show the shift in focus.

Author Kevin Halloran – "When Prayer is a Struggle" – discovered one of top answers as to why people struggle to prayer – “I don’t know what to pray.” Many people feel like they’re stuck in a rut, repeatedly praying the same thing, & they give up

Charles Spurgeon once said, "True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that - it is a spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth."

Matthew 6:9–15 NIV

“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

The first three requests in the Lord’s Prayer—“Your name,” “Your kingdom,” “Your will”—center entirely on God’s purposes, not our own. In contrast, the next three shift toward our needs: “Give us,” “Forgive us,” “Lead us not… but deliver us.” That means the entire first half of the prayer is wholly devoted to God. These opening petitions also share a deep connection: when God’s name is honored (with “hallowed” meaning treated as holy), His kingdom is revealed, and His will is followed. The coming of the kingdom involves people on earth living in obedience to God, just as the angels do in heaven—revering His name and aligning with His will.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

His name is set apart—let our lives reflect it

As I was studying this passage, I came across a blog by a Catholic theologian, and he said this and i think it portrays what “hallowed” truly means

Hallowed by your name might be the most confusing of these three requests because of its language – we don’t often speak about “hallowing” things in our world, so we may not understand what we are saying! Some Bible translations like the English Standard Version (ESV) retain the phrase “hallowed” because of its familiarity, but offer potentially clearer ways in footnotes of conveying its meaning (for example, “Let your name be kept holy” or “Let your name be treated with reverence”).Other translations like the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) will use more contemporary language (“your name be honored as holy”) in the text itself. Either way, we discover that the root of this phrase is that God would be worshiped; the distinctive aspect of this phrase is that people would praise and honor God, as the phrase “name” is a way of referring to His essence and person. When we make this request, we are asking for people – including ourselves – to worship God rightly, both crying out in formal worship but also living lives that bring God glory. 

God’s name is perfectly hallowed in heaven, but it’s not on earth. For instance, we read scenes in Revelation of the perfect praise that God receives from those who are in heaven

So, as we study this Jesus focuses the first part of prayer on God

Exalting God reminds us who's on the throne.

Exalting God puts us in our place—humble, dependent, loved.

Exalting God shifts our mindset—He’s Lord, not a genie.

Exalting God reveals His nature—Shepherd, King, Judge, Redeemer, Holy.

Exalting God magnifies Him—Big God, small problems. Small God, big problems.

His kingdom is coming—let our lives make room for it.

This is total surrender that our prayers are not driven by selfish desire but with Kingdom purpose.

Praying “Your kingdom come” is a surrender, not a slogan.

It’s not about escape—it’s about engagement.

We’re not asking for a place—we’re inviting a presence.

His kingdom comes when His people live His way.

The kingdom isn’t just future—it’s breaking in now.

We don’t build it—we bear witness to it.

Where Does Your Prayer Begin?

• Start with His name—set apart, holy, worthy.

• Make room for His kingdom—present, powerful, personal.

• Let your life reflect the One you pray to