Hallowing God's Name in Worship
Month 8: Talking with God — The Praying Family · Walking in the Spirit
Today's Scripture
Read together: Matthew 6:9 & John 4:23–24
9 So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. — Matthew 6:9
23 But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” — John 4:23–24
Memory Verse
“So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.”— Matthew 6:9 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Jeremiah 14–17
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. ("Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord.")The Heart of It
"Hallowed be Your name" means "may Your name be treated as holy, honored, and worshiped." But how do we actually do that? Jesus answered a thirsty woman at a well. He told her that the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth (). Real worship isn't about being in the right building or saying the right ritual. It comes from the inside. It comes from a heart that is alive to God. And here's the wonderful thing for a Spirit-filled family. God doesn't leave us to drum up that worship on our own. The Holy Spirit Himself stirs our hearts to love and adore the Father.
To worship "in spirit" means worship that is real and Spirit-empowered. It's not just going through the motions. To worship "in truth" means worship that fits who God truly is. It's based on what the Bible says, not on what we imagine Him to be. The two belong together. We need heart and truth. We need fire and foundation. When the Spirit warms our hearts and God's Word guides our minds, we hallow His name the way He desires. That's why a praying family is also a worshiping family. We don't just ask God for things. We adore Him for who He is, and the Spirit helps us mean it.
Around the Table
Worship means telling God how wonderful He is. And the Holy Spirit helps our hearts feel it!
Let's do it: Lift your hands and sing or say together, "God, You are holy! We love You!"
Jesus said God wants worship "in spirit and in truth." That means real worship from the heart, worship that matches who He really is.
Let's talk: Can you worship God anywhere, or only at church? Why?
"In spirit" means heartfelt worship that the Spirit empowers. "In truth" keeps it anchored to God's Word. Both matter. It's never just feelings, and never just facts.
Let's go deeper: How can the Holy Spirit help your worship be more than just singing along out of habit?
💬 Conversation Starter
What's something that makes you say "Wow!" out loud? Worship is saying "Wow!" to God for how amazing He is.
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Some say worship is just emotional hype. But Jesus tied worship to truth (). It must match who God really is, the way His Word reveals Him. Genuine, Spirit-led worship is heartfelt and truthful. It's never empty excitement. That combination is how we know it's real.
For Dad · Go Deeper
Classic Pentecostal worship has always held "spirit and truth" together. It's heartfelt, Spirit-prompted adoration that is grounded in Scripture. Beware the two ditches. On one side is dry, mechanical religion. On the other is emotional hype with no biblical content. Hallowing God's name in your home means leading worship that is both warm and true. You sing. You express affection to God. And you root it all in what He has actually revealed about Himself. Remember the lane: character over experience. The aim isn't a feeling for its own sake. The aim is a family whose hearts genuinely treasure the holy God. Ask the Spirit to make your own worship sincere this week, not performed. Your kids can tell the difference.
Draws on: Robert Menzies, Speaking in Tongues; A.W. Tozer, Whatever Happened to Worship?
Let's Pray Together
"Holy Father, You are worthy of all our love. Fill us with Your Spirit, so we can worship You from real hearts, in spirit and in truth. May Your name be honored in our family. In Jesus' name, amen."
Worship is heart and truth together, and the Spirit helps me adore the Father for real.