“Whenever you pray, say, ‘Father, let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come.

Luke 11:2-4.

2. (a) How is God’s name thus honored, and in harmony with what scriptures? (b) What contrasting situation exists in the world, and how will it be remedied?

² Similar to the scriptures at 1 Kings 8:41-43 and Isaiah 56:6-8, mentioned in the previous article, notice the priority given by Jesus to his Father’s name. Jehovah’s name is certainly not sanctified in the world of today. The spirit of nationalism, of putting self first and of self-indulgence, being content with a “form of godly devotion but proving false to its power,” and other suchlike conditions cause God’s name to be reproached and dishonored or completely ignored. (2 Tim. 3:5) So God must sanctify his own name in answer to this prayer. (Ezek. 36:23) The disgraceful state of affairs will be remedied when God’s kingdom, in the hands of Christ Jesus, goes into action against the nations and their rulers, as described so vividly at Psalm 2.

3. In this connection, what warning and promise does Peter give?

³ These things take place in Jehovah’s day, now so near, as Bible prophecy in course of fulfillment clearly shows. We therefore do well to pay heed to Peter’s inspired admonition and warning:

“Awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved and the elements being intensely hot will melt! But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell. Hence, beloved ones, since you are awaiting these things, do your utmost to be found finally by him spotless and unblemished and in peace.”​—2 Pet. 3:12-14.

4. How are the first two petitions closely linked in the Lord’s Prayer, and how does this help us with reference to the other petitions?

⁴ When all these things are accomplished, God’s name will be completely vindicated and sanctified. That is why the two petitions at Luke 11:2 are closely linked and come first in the Lord’s Prayer. These are the really big events for our day and the near future. Keeping them close in mind will help in taking a more balanced view of our personal daily needs and problems next mentioned in that prayer. Instead of becoming self-centered, which is so easy, we will first ask ourselves: What attitude and course of action on my part will be in harmony with God’s will, as outlined in his Word, and, hence, will honor his name?