The Lord's Prayer

Growing up in the church my entire life, I have heard the Lord's Prayer many times over the years. However, it wasn't until a few years ago when I received a book given to me as a freebie while a freshman at a local university that this seemingly routine prayer developed new meaning in my life. The book was titled, "The Holiness of God", by a well-known theologian named R.C. Sproul. Ever since i first opened it, this book has greatly impacted my faith and understanding of Christ. R.C. Sproul's "The Holiness of God" enlightened on one small verse that begins the Lord's Prayer, a small but highly foundational verse. The Lord's Prayer is found in the book of Matthew, chapter 6 verses 9 through 13. The passage begins like this, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." I never realized fully what this short verse meant. Rather than being a petition, "our father in heaven, hallowed be your name" is an acknowledgement that God is to be regarded as Holy. This verse is foundational to our understanding of the Lord's Prayer. R.C. Sproul described this concept so perfectly and concisely: " God's kingdom will never come where His name is not considered holy. His will is not done on earth as it is in heaven if His name is desecrated here." Who knew that such a powerful truth could hinge on such a short verse! How has Christ's holiness impacted your life?