At a powerlifting meet, the coach of my competitor introduced himself and then asked for my name. After I said, “My name is Alida,” he laughed and said, “I’ll probably make up a name for you by the end of the day because I’m terrible with names and I either won’t remember or won’t get yours right.” I smiled and replied, “I’ll keep correcting you. Because no matter how long this day is, my name will still be Alida.” I wondered if it was a tactic to dehumanize me and intimidate me before the competition began. What it did was make me stand taller, feel more competitive, and fiercely determined to make sure he remembered the name of the woman who wanted to beat his athlete…and beat her I did.
That exchange stayed with me because names matter. They aren’t just convenient labels. We attach identity, dignity, and value to them. When someone takes the time to learn and say your name correctly, it quietly communicates, You matter. I see you.
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Scripture reminds us that while our names are important, God’s name stands in a category all its own. When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He began by drawing attention to the sacredness of God’s name:
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Matthew 6:9 ESV
Before asking God to meet our needs or give us directions, Jesus is teaching us to pause and recognize the holiness of our Father’s name. To hallow means to set apart, to treat as sacred, to revere. God’s name is not casual. It is not common. It is worthy of honor. Mary echoes this reverence in her song of praise:
“for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.” Luke 1:49 ESV
His Name Matters
God’s name matters because it reflects who He is. His power, His faithfulness, His mercy, His nearness. His name carries the weight of His character and the reality of His presence. Because of this, honoring God’s name is not limited to prayer alone. Paul reminds us:
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 ESV
God’s name is meant to shape not only how we pray, but how we speak, how we act, and how we represent Him in the world. When we claim His name, we carry His reputation into our everyday lives. The psalmist calls us to be intentional with God’s name:
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. Psalm 29:2 ESV
To honor God’s name is to recognize His authority, to stand in awe of His power, and to respond with reverence and obedience. If we care about people getting our names right because it communicates respect, how much more should we care about how we pray, speak, and live in the name of the Lord? His name is more than a word we say. It is a declaration of who He is. May we remember that names matter and to treat His with the sacred awe it deserves, allowing His holy name to shape our prayers, our being, and our lives.
*For those of you who prayer walk, take time to ponder the phrase ‘His Name Matters’. For your copy of this week’s screensaver click here. And to access all of my YouVersion Bible App devotional plans click here.