How is God´s name profaned?

God’s name is profaned by

1. Teaching contrary to what God’s Word teaches (false doctrine).
   

   Ezek. 22:26: Her priests have violated my Law, and have profaned mine holy things... and I am profaned among them.



2. Living contrary to the way God’s Word teaches us to live (sinful life).
   
   

   Rom. 2:23-24: Thou that makest thy boast of the Law, through breaking the Law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you.

   
   
   Luther: “In the first place then, God’s name is profaned when men preach, teach, and speak in the name of God what is false and misleading, so that His name must serve to adorn and to find a market for falsehood. That is, indeed, the greatest profanation and dishonor of the divine name. In the second place, also by an openly wicked life and works, when those who are called Christians and the people of god are adulterers, drunkards, misers, envious and slanderous.”

How is God´s name hallowed?

God’s name is hallowed, when

1. God’s Word is taught clearly and purely (pure doctrine).
   

   Joh. 17:17: Sanctify them though thy truth; thy Word is truth.
   
   Jer. 23:28: He that hath my Word, let him speak my word faithfully.



2. We live as God’s obedient children according to His Word (righteous life).
   

   Matt. 5:16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

   
   
   Luther: “God will not hear anything more dear to Him than that His honor and praise is exalted above everything else, and His Word is taught in its purity and is esteemed precious and dear.”

For what do we pray in the First Petition?

Hallowed be Thy name. What does this mean? God’s name is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition that it may be holy among us also. How is this done? (God’s name is hallowed) When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead a holy life according to it. This grant us, dear Father in heaven. But he that teaches and lives otherwise than God’s Word teaches, profanes the name of God among us. From this preserve us, Heavenly Father.

Because God’s name is our highest treasure, we first of all ask God for help in keeping His name holy.