A six-year-old boy stepped between an attacking dog and his little sister, left hospital with ninety stitches, and then said that if someone had to die, it should have been him. Such wonder at moral beauty opens this reflection on Psalm 113 and the phrase hallowed be your name from the Lord’s Prayer. The speaker leads us through the names by which God revealed himself to Israel and through her own testimonies from Ukraine about a God who lifts the poor from the dust. Listen and see why every prayer comes down to one single request.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- Psalm 113 was sung by the Israelites at Passover. How does remembering the exodus from Egypt help us understand its call to praise the name of the Lord?
- The psalmist asks, "Who is like the Lord our God?" and then describes how God raises the poor from the dust and seats them with princes. What do these two pictures together tell us about God?
- The sermon pointed out that God's names, revealed for example to Moses, show us His character. Which of God's "names", such as Almighty, Merciful or Faithful, do you know from personal experience, and in what situation?
- Kateryna shared how God answered prayer for her brother's release and how He provided for a family of eighteen from Ukraine. Where do you see God in your own life overturning the human order and lifting up those on the margins?
- The speaker quoted the idea that every prayer can be summed up in the words "God, hallow Your name". How does this change the way you ask God for your own needs or pray for others?
- How could you pray the Lord's Prayer this week, adding "hallow Your name" after each line, and what do you want to surrender to God as you do?
