May the Name of the Lord be Honored Among all Peoples
"My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty." (Malachi 1:11)
"“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name," (Mt 6:9)
The words we just read from Malachi come in the middle of a strong admonition to the people of God. God chastises them for “lighting useless fires” on His altar. He refuses to accept empty sacrifices— sacrifices that come from divided hearts and disobedient lives. Remarkably in the middle of these strong words of admonition to an idolatrous people, God declares that His name will be great among the nations. God’s glory and renowned will not be contained by a wayward or disobedient people.
What was true for wayward Israel is also true for the wayward in our day, whether in America, or Canada, the Netherlands, Korea, or China. Sinfulness and idolatry will not have the last word. God will cause His name to be great among the nations.
PRAYER
"My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty." (Malachi 1:11)
"“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name," (Mt 6:9)
The words we just read from Malachi come in the middle of a strong admonition to the people of God. God chastises them for “lighting useless fires” on His altar. He refuses to accept empty sacrifices— sacrifices that come from divided hearts and disobedient lives. Remarkably in the middle of these strong words of admonition to an idolatrous people, God declares that His name will be great among the nations. God’s glory and renowned will not be contained by a wayward or disobedient people.
What was true for wayward Israel is also true for the wayward in our day, whether in America, or Canada, the Netherlands, Korea, or China. Sinfulness and idolatry will not have the last word. God will cause His name to be great among the nations.
PRAYER
- Praise the Lord for the remarkable growth of the church in what was once predominately pagan African (In 1900, 9 million Christians, in 2000, 380 million!). Indeed the Name of the Lord is being exalted in our day.
- Pray that believers would be full of desire for God’s name to be known and honored.
- Pray that stale stereotypes and misconceptions about God would be shattered.
- Pray that the story of what God has done and is doing will establish His reputation in our community.