What do we pray for in the first petition?
In the first petition (which is, Hallowed be thy name,) acknowledging the utter inability and indisposition that is in ourselves and all men to honor God aright, pray, that God would by his grace enable and incline us and others to know, to acknowledge, and highly to esteem him, his titles, attributes, ordinances, word, works, and whatsoever he is pleased to make himself known by; and to glorify him in thought, word, and deed: that he would prevent and remove atheism, ignorance, idolatry, profaneness, and whatsoever is dishonorable to him; and, by his overruling providence, direct and dispose of all things to his own glory.
Proofs
- In the first petition (which is, Hallowed be thy name,) (Matthew 6:9)
- acknowledging the utter inability and indisposition that is in ourselves and all men to honor God aright, (2 Corinthians 3:5)
- pray, that God would by his grace enable and incline us and others to know, to acknowledge, and highly to esteem him, (Psalm 67:2–3)
- his titles, (Psalm 83:18)
- attributes, (Psalm 86:10–13, 15)
- ordinances, word, (2 Thessalonians 3:1; Psalms 147:19–20; 138:1–3; 2 Corinthians 2:14–15)
- works, and whatsoever he is pleased to make himself known by; (Psalm 145)
- and to glorify him in thought, word, (Psalms 103:1; 19:14)
- and deed: (Philippians 1:9, 11)
- that he would prevent and remove atheism, (Psalm 67:1–4)
- ignorance, (Ephesians 1:17–18)
- idolatry, (Psalm 97:7)
- profaneness, (Psalm 74:18, 22–23)
- and whatsoever is dishonorable to him; (2 Kings 19:15–16)
- and, by his overruling providence, direct and dispose of all things to his own glory. (2 Chronicles 20:6, 10–12; Psalms 83; 140:4, 8)