FAQs Mondays: What Do We Pray for in the First Petition of the Lord's Prayer?

Last week, we answered the question, "What does the opening of the Lord's Prayer teach us?".  You can read that post here.  This week we want to continue looking at the Lord's Prayer.

What do we pray for in the first petition of the Lord's Prayer?

In the first petition, which is "Hallowed be your name," we pray that God would enable us and others to glorify him in all of life, and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.  Paul tells us, "For from him [God] and through him and to him are all things.  To him be glory forever. Amen" (Rom. 11:36).  He also reminds us, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).  Revelation 4:11 states, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."  Hear the words of Psalm 67:1-3:

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, (Selah) that your way may be know on earth, your saving power among all nations.  Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!

Summary

The first petition, or request, of the Lord's Prayer is that God would enable us and others to bring him glory.  We approach with a childlike confidence in our heavenly Father's love, and we ask him to make his glory known through us.  We want the world to know how great our Father in heaven truly is.  Next week, we will answer the question, "What do we pray for in the second petition of the Lord's Prayer?".