Matthew 6:9 NKJV
In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Intimacy and Reverence
MY NOTES
Just before this verse, Jesus was teaching the disciples about prayer. Then, he gave them a real-life example of what a prayer might look like. He begins this model prayer with these straightforward, impactful words:
“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” (Matthew 6:9, NKJV)
There’s a beautiful balance here that never gets old. On one side we have intimacy—God as Father. On the other side we have reverence—God who is in heaven, holy and exalted. Both are true at the same time, and both belong in every prayer we pray.
Calling God “Father” was radical in Jesus’ day. Most people approached God with formal titles and careful distance. But Jesus invites us into something closer. In the language He spoke, the word was Abba—the everyday term a child used for their dad. Paul picks up the same idea later:
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” (Romans 8:15-17, NKJV)
That’s the privilege we have. We don’t come as distant servants. We come as adopted sons and daughters who belong in the family.
Yet He’s still our Father in heaven. Heaven is His throne:
“The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.” (Psalm 103:19, NKJV)
When we say “in heaven,” we remember His holiness, His power, and His perfect perspective. He sees everything clearly. He is never limited, never surprised, and never short on resources. Jesus reminds us of this same truth a few verses later:
“For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” (Matthew 6:32, NKJV)
And earlier He said:
“that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45, NKJV)
He is both the loving Father who cares for His children and the sovereign Creator who provides for the whole world.
That’s why the next phrase matters so much: “Hallowed be Your name.” Before we ask for anything, we start with God’s glory. “Hallowed” means set apart, treated as holy, honored. We’re asking that His name—His character, His reputation, everything that reveals who He is—would be treated with the reverence it deserves. In our lives. In our homes. In the world.
Jesus isn’t giving us a rigid script we must recite word-for-word every time. Luke records a slightly different version (Luke 11:2-4), and the disciples prayed in many other ways. This is a pattern—a way of approaching God that keeps intimacy and reverence, need and worship, all in their proper place.
So when you pray, start here. Come close enough to call Him Father. Stay humble enough to remember He is in heaven. And let your first desire be that His name would be honored.
Prayer
Our Abba Father in heaven, thank You that I can call You Father. Thank You for adopting me and letting me come near. Help me never lose the wonder of that privilege. Keep me mindful that You are also holy and enthroned in heaven. Let Your name be honored in my life today—in my words, my choices, and my heart. Teach me to pray with both intimacy and reverence. I thank You for this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Key Takeaways
- Prayer begins with relationship: God is our Father, and we can approach Him with childlike confidence.
- Prayer also begins with reverence: He is our Father in heaven—holy, exalted, and ruling over all.
- True prayer prioritizes God’s glory before our requests: “Hallowed be Your name.”
- We never pray alone. We come as part of the family—“Our Father.”
Proverb for Today
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all the inner depths of his heart. Proverbs 20:27 NKJV
Daily Scripture
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:5-8 NKJV
Closing
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV
Grace be with you. Amen.
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