RR The Pattern Prayer By David Harwood
Shavuah Tov,
Yeshua taught his disciples to pray, "Our Father... Hallowed be your Name" (Matthew 6:9–10). Often it is taught that these words represent a time of praise, readying us to enter God's presence. But they are much more than that. They are an impassioned plea for the hallowing, or "sanctifying," of God's Name that will occur when He reigns in glory on the earth. This is the pivotal and foundational petition of prayer.
The faithful Israelite was threatened by priestly apostasy and surrounded by heathen darkness. In the land of Israel the Jewish people were divided into various sects vying for religious supremacy. They were dominated, humiliated, and cruelly oppressed by Rome. Objects of scorn and discrimination at home and abroad, Israel groaned beneath this heathen yoke.
The Jewish people believed that God would restore Israel in the Messianic kingdom. In that kingdom, God's will would be fully expressed and his Name would be absolutely "hallowed."
God's Name
In the Psalms, we find that individuals often prayed with reference to God's Name (Psalm 25:11; 31:3; 79:9).
Eventually, "the Name" was seen as a synonym for God's person (Psalm 20:1; 44:5).
It is something "tangible," in which one can place one's faith, for “whoever calls upon the Name of Adonai will be delivered” (Joel 2:32).
God's Name and Israel
God's reputation is inextricably bound to his people's condition. Therefore, prayer for Israel's restoration ultimately was, and is, for the glory of God's Name.
The prophets saw the glory of God's Name as being tied to Israel's condition. Jeremiah prayed this way (Jeremiah 14:7, 21).
The Nations and the Name
In Psalm 79, we read that God's Name is ignored by the nations resulting in animosity towards Israel. This leads to God's wrath upon them. That wrath will be the means of restoration and blessing for Israel "for the glory of Thy Name" (Psalm 79:6–7, 9–10, 13).
Now, through Messiah, the remnants of the nations and the remnant of Israel praise the Name of Adonai (Romans 15:9–10).
This praise anticipates the time of the full revelation of Adonai’s Kingdom. Ultimately, all the nations will hallow his Name because God’s righteous acts will be revealed (Revelation 15:4).
Becoming Watchmen
How then should we pray for Israel? First, we must recognize that, apart from a remnant of born-again believers, Israel is under judicial blindness (John 12:38–40; Romans 11:7, 25; 2 Corinthians 3:14; 4:4).
The united remnants of Israel and the nations are to intercede on their behalf, because Israel’s own watchmen are blind (Isaiah 56:7, 10).
In King David's day, Israel was decimated by the judgment of God. The plague was halted due to costly intercession (2 Samuel 24:24–25).
In the same way that plague was stopped, Israel's judicial blindness can be lifted by costly intercession.
Who are these watchmen? They are men and women who have a burden for the glory of God, for the Name of God to be hallowed. They lay aside their comforts to "remind Adonai" day and night of his promises and covenants with the Jewish people. With Paul, they agonize in prayer for Israel's salvation (Rom. 10:1). They are the New Covenant priesthood drawn from all nations.
The content of this intercession is summed up in Psalm 122:6: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." They yearn for the end of bloodshed in Israel. But, even more, they beseech God for salvation, justice, and the worship of Messiah Yeshua to saturate the Jewish people. Only then will Jerusalem know true Biblical peace (shalom).
Seeking First the Kingdom
God's Name will not be fully hallowed "on earth as it is in heaven" until his kingdom is established over Israel and the nations. We who have tasted the goodness of that reign should pray for Israel's restoration. As Paul said, it will be "life from the dead" (Rom. 11:15).
These prayers will be answered. The Messiah returns to establish the full physical reality of the present Kingdom. The expectations of the prophets will be realized (Acts 3:19–21).
Every believer is part of this process as they intercede along the lines Yeshua outlined. However, they do not necessarily understand or desire the means of this prayer’s fulfillment. The Jewish people turn to God through the Messiah. The nations who are in opposition to the Jewish people will be judged. Adonai is going to deliver Israel. It will be life from the dead (Romans 11:12, 15).
Our Father in heaven,
for the sake of your Name restore the heart of Israel to your Son and to your purposes
that your Name may be sanctified in every way and in all the earth.
Let your kingdom come.
Send Messiah to rule from Jerusalem
that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Scriptures (TLV)
Matthew 6:9–10
9 “Therefore, pray in this way: ‘Our Father in heaven, sanctified be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Psalm 25:11
For Your Name’s sake, Adonai, pardon my guilt, for it is great.
Psalm 31:4 (31:3 in most English Bibles)
Since You are my rock and my fortress, You lead me and guide me for Your Name’s sake.
Psalm 79:9
Help us, God of our salvation— for the sake of the glory of Your Name. Deliver us, and atone for our sins— for Your name’s sake.
Psalm 20:2 (20:1 in most English Bibles)
May Adonai answer you in the day of trouble! May the Name of the God of Jacob set you up securely on high.
Psalm 44:6 (44:5 in most English Bibles)
Through You we push back our foes. Through Your Name we trample those rising up against us.
Joel 3:5 (2:32 in most English Bibles)
Then all who call on Adonai’s Name will escape, for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be rescue, as Adonai has said, among the survivors whom Adonai is calling.”
Jeremiah 14:7, 21
7 Though our iniquities testify against us, Adonai, act for Your Name’s sake. For our backslidings are many. We have sinned against You. … 21 Do not despise us, for Your Name’s sake. Do not dishonor Your glorious throne. Remember Your covenant with us— do not break it!
Psalm 79:6–7, 9–10, 13
6 Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name. 7 For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his country. … 9 Help us, God of our salvation— for the sake of the glory of Your Name. Deliver us, and atone for our sins— for Your name’s sake. 10 Why should the nations say: “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, let it be known among the nations that You avenge the shed blood of Your servants. … 13 So we, Your people, the flock of Your pasture, will praise You forever. From generation to generation we will recount Your praise.
Romans 15:9–10
9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy. As it is written, “For this reason I will give You praise among the Gentiles, and I will sing to Your name.” 10 And again it says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.”
Revelation 15:4
Who shall not fear and glorify Your name, O Lord? For You alone are Holy. All the nations shall come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed!”
John 12:38–40
38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet, who said, “Adonai, who has believed our report? To whom has the arm of Adonai been revealed?” 39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah also said, 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they might not see with their eyes nor understand with their hearts and turn back, and I would heal them.”
Romans 11:7, 25
7 What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained; but the elect obtained it, and the rest were hardened— … 25 For I do not want you, brothers and sisters, to be ignorant of this mystery—lest you be wise in your own eyes—that a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;
2 Corinthians 3:14
But their minds were hardened. For up to this very day the same veil remains unlifted at the reading of the ancient covenant, since in Messiah it is passing away.
2 Corinthians 4:4
In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so they might not see the light of the Good News of the glory of Messiah, who is the image of God.
Isaiah 56:7, 10
7 these I will bring to My holy mountain, and let them rejoice in My House of Prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar. For My House will be called a House of Prayer for all nations.” … 10 His watchmen are all blind. All of them know nothing. All of them are mute dogs unable to bark, dreamers lying down, lovers of slumber,
2 Samuel 24:24–25
24 But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you at a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to Adonai my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for 50 shekels of silver. 25 Then David built there an altar to Adonai, and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. So Adonai was moved by prayer of entreaty for the land, and restrained the plague from Israel.
Romans 10:1
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for Israel is for their salvation.
Psalm 122:6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem— “May those who love you be at peace!
Romans 11:15
For if their rejection leads to the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
Acts 3:19–21
19 Repent, therefore, and return—so your sins might be blotted out, 20 so times of relief might come from the presence of Adonai and He might send Yeshua, the Messiah appointed for you. 21 Heaven must receive Him, until the time of the restoration of all the things that God spoke about long ago through the mouth of His holy prophets.
Romans 11:12
Now if their transgression leads to riches for the world, and their loss riches for the Gentiles, then how much more their fullness!
Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version. Copyright © 2014, 2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society. Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun 11-Oct-2026 30th of Tishrei, 5787 Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan (Day 1)
Ge 6:9-22 Jos 8 Ps 8 Mt 6 (1 Pet 2)
Yeshua taught his disciples to pray, "Our Father... Hallowed be your Name" (Matthew 6:9–10). Often it is taught that these words represent a time of praise, readying us to enter God's presence. But they are much more than that. They are an impassioned plea for the hallowing, or "sanctifying," of God's Name that will occur when He reigns in glory on the earth. This is the pivotal and foundational petition of prayer.
The faithful Israelite was threatened by priestly apostasy and surrounded by heathen darkness. In the land of Israel the Jewish people were divided into various sects vying for religious supremacy. They were dominated, humiliated, and cruelly oppressed by Rome. Objects of scorn and discrimination at home and abroad, Israel groaned beneath this heathen yoke.
The Jewish people believed that God would restore Israel in the Messianic kingdom. In that kingdom, God's will would be fully expressed and his Name would be absolutely "hallowed."
God's Name
In the Psalms, we find that individuals often prayed with reference to God's Name (Psalm 25:11; 31:3; 79:9).
Eventually, "the Name" was seen as a synonym for God's person (Psalm 20:1; 44:5).
It is something "tangible," in which one can place one's faith, for “whoever calls upon the Name of Adonai will be delivered” (Joel 2:32).
God's Name and Israel
God's reputation is inextricably bound to his people's condition. Therefore, prayer for Israel's restoration ultimately was, and is, for the glory of God's Name.
The prophets saw the glory of God's Name as being tied to Israel's condition. Jeremiah prayed this way (Jeremiah 14:7, 21).
The Nations and the Name
In Psalm 79, we read that God's Name is ignored by the nations resulting in animosity towards Israel. This leads to God's wrath upon them. That wrath will be the means of restoration and blessing for Israel "for the glory of Thy Name" (Psalm 79:6–7, 9–10, 13).
Now, through Messiah, the remnants of the nations and the remnant of Israel praise the Name of Adonai (Romans 15:9–10).
This praise anticipates the time of the full revelation of Adonai’s Kingdom. Ultimately, all the nations will hallow his Name because God’s righteous acts will be revealed (Revelation 15:4).
Becoming Watchmen
How then should we pray for Israel? First, we must recognize that, apart from a remnant of born-again believers, Israel is under judicial blindness (John 12:38–40; Romans 11:7, 25; 2 Corinthians 3:14; 4:4).
The united remnants of Israel and the nations are to intercede on their behalf, because Israel’s own watchmen are blind (Isaiah 56:7, 10).
In King David's day, Israel was decimated by the judgment of God. The plague was halted due to costly intercession (2 Samuel 24:24–25).
In the same way that plague was stopped, Israel's judicial blindness can be lifted by costly intercession.
Who are these watchmen? They are men and women who have a burden for the glory of God, for the Name of God to be hallowed. They lay aside their comforts to "remind Adonai" day and night of his promises and covenants with the Jewish people. With Paul, they agonize in prayer for Israel's salvation (Rom. 10:1). They are the New Covenant priesthood drawn from all nations.
The content of this intercession is summed up in Psalm 122:6: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." They yearn for the end of bloodshed in Israel. But, even more, they beseech God for salvation, justice, and the worship of Messiah Yeshua to saturate the Jewish people. Only then will Jerusalem know true Biblical peace (shalom).
Seeking First the Kingdom
God's Name will not be fully hallowed "on earth as it is in heaven" until his kingdom is established over Israel and the nations. We who have tasted the goodness of that reign should pray for Israel's restoration. As Paul said, it will be "life from the dead" (Rom. 11:15).
These prayers will be answered. The Messiah returns to establish the full physical reality of the present Kingdom. The expectations of the prophets will be realized (Acts 3:19–21).
Every believer is part of this process as they intercede along the lines Yeshua outlined. However, they do not necessarily understand or desire the means of this prayer’s fulfillment. The Jewish people turn to God through the Messiah. The nations who are in opposition to the Jewish people will be judged. Adonai is going to deliver Israel. It will be life from the dead (Romans 11:12, 15).
Our Father in heaven,
for the sake of your Name restore the heart of Israel to your Son and to your purposes
that your Name may be sanctified in every way and in all the earth.
Let your kingdom come.
Send Messiah to rule from Jerusalem
that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Scriptures (TLV)
Matthew 6:9–10
9 “Therefore, pray in this way: ‘Our Father in heaven, sanctified be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Psalm 25:11
For Your Name’s sake, Adonai, pardon my guilt, for it is great.
Psalm 31:4 (31:3 in most English Bibles)
Since You are my rock and my fortress, You lead me and guide me for Your Name’s sake.
Psalm 79:9
Help us, God of our salvation— for the sake of the glory of Your Name. Deliver us, and atone for our sins— for Your name’s sake.
Psalm 20:2 (20:1 in most English Bibles)
May Adonai answer you in the day of trouble! May the Name of the God of Jacob set you up securely on high.
Psalm 44:6 (44:5 in most English Bibles)
Through You we push back our foes. Through Your Name we trample those rising up against us.
Joel 3:5 (2:32 in most English Bibles)
Then all who call on Adonai’s Name will escape, for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be rescue, as Adonai has said, among the survivors whom Adonai is calling.”
Jeremiah 14:7, 21
7 Though our iniquities testify against us, Adonai, act for Your Name’s sake. For our backslidings are many. We have sinned against You. … 21 Do not despise us, for Your Name’s sake. Do not dishonor Your glorious throne. Remember Your covenant with us— do not break it!
Psalm 79:6–7, 9–10, 13
6 Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name. 7 For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his country. … 9 Help us, God of our salvation— for the sake of the glory of Your Name. Deliver us, and atone for our sins— for Your name’s sake. 10 Why should the nations say: “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, let it be known among the nations that You avenge the shed blood of Your servants. … 13 So we, Your people, the flock of Your pasture, will praise You forever. From generation to generation we will recount Your praise.
Romans 15:9–10
9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy. As it is written, “For this reason I will give You praise among the Gentiles, and I will sing to Your name.” 10 And again it says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.”
Revelation 15:4
Who shall not fear and glorify Your name, O Lord? For You alone are Holy. All the nations shall come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed!”
John 12:38–40
38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet, who said, “Adonai, who has believed our report? To whom has the arm of Adonai been revealed?” 39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah also said, 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they might not see with their eyes nor understand with their hearts and turn back, and I would heal them.”
Romans 11:7, 25
7 What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained; but the elect obtained it, and the rest were hardened— … 25 For I do not want you, brothers and sisters, to be ignorant of this mystery—lest you be wise in your own eyes—that a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;
2 Corinthians 3:14
But their minds were hardened. For up to this very day the same veil remains unlifted at the reading of the ancient covenant, since in Messiah it is passing away.
2 Corinthians 4:4
In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so they might not see the light of the Good News of the glory of Messiah, who is the image of God.
Isaiah 56:7, 10
7 these I will bring to My holy mountain, and let them rejoice in My House of Prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar. For My House will be called a House of Prayer for all nations.” … 10 His watchmen are all blind. All of them know nothing. All of them are mute dogs unable to bark, dreamers lying down, lovers of slumber,
2 Samuel 24:24–25
24 But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you at a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to Adonai my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for 50 shekels of silver. 25 Then David built there an altar to Adonai, and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. So Adonai was moved by prayer of entreaty for the land, and restrained the plague from Israel.
Romans 10:1
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for Israel is for their salvation.
Psalm 122:6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem— “May those who love you be at peace!
Romans 11:15
For if their rejection leads to the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
Acts 3:19–21
19 Repent, therefore, and return—so your sins might be blotted out, 20 so times of relief might come from the presence of Adonai and He might send Yeshua, the Messiah appointed for you. 21 Heaven must receive Him, until the time of the restoration of all the things that God spoke about long ago through the mouth of His holy prophets.
Romans 11:12
Now if their transgression leads to riches for the world, and their loss riches for the Gentiles, then how much more their fullness!
Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version. Copyright © 2014, 2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society. Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun 11-Oct-2026 30th of Tishrei, 5787 Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan (Day 1)
Ge 6:9-22 Jos 8 Ps 8 Mt 6 (1 Pet 2)
Posted in Rabbis Reflections
Recent
Archive
2026
January
RR Psalm 42:12(11) Part 8RR Psalm 43:1 Part 1RR In Praise of Milk By David HarwoodRR Psalm 43:2 Part 2RR Psalm 43:3 Part 3RR Psalm 43:4 Part 4RR Psalm 43:5 Part 5RR Psalm 44:1-5(1-4) Part 1RR “The Priority & Power of Relationship” by Jerry MillerRR Favor on top of Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 44:6-9(5-8) Part 2RR Psalm 44:10-13(9-12) Part 3RR Psalm 44:14-17(13-16) Part 4RR Psalm 44:18-22(17-21) Part 5RR The Throne By David HarwoodRR Psalm 44:23-27(22-26) Part 6RR Psalm 45:1-3(1,2) Part 1RR PPsalm 45:4(3) Part 2RR Psalm 45:5(4) Part 3RR Psalm 45:6(5) Part 4RR Psalm 45:7(6) Part 5RR “Guarding our Relationship with the Lord” by Jerry MillerRR Doubting Favor by David HarwoodRR Psalm 45:8(7) Part 6RR Psalm 45:9(8) Part 7RR Psalm 45:10(9) Part 8RR Psalm 45:11-13(10-12) Part 9RR Favor and Calling By David HarwoodRR YESHUA BEYOND THE BIBLE By Dr. Raymond Finney RR Psalm 45:11-13(10-12) Part 10
February
RR Psalm 45:14-16(13-15) Part 11RR Psalm 45:17,18(16,17) Part 12RR Psalm 46:1,2(1) Part 1RR Psalm 46:3,4(2,3) Part 2RR Charismata - Signs of Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 46:5-8(4-7) Part 3RR “Guarding our Relationship with the Lord” by Jerry MillerRR Psalm 46:5-8(4-7) Part 5RR Psalm 46:5-8(4-7) – Part 4RR Psalm 46:5-8(4-7) Part 6RR Psalm 46:9-12(8-11) Part 7RR THE ONE AND ONLY YOU (Part 1) The Amazing Mystery of Light and You By Dr. Raymond FinneyRR Favor and Sanctity by David HarwoodRR Psalm 46:9-12 (8-11) Part 8RR Psalm 47:1-4(1-3) Part 1RR Psalm 47:1-4(1-3) Part 2RR Psalm 47:1-4(1-3) Part 3RR Psalm 47:1-4(1-3) Part 4RR Gratitude for Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 47:6(5) Part 5RR Psalm 47:7(6) Part 6RR Psalm 47:9(8) Part 8RR Psalm 47:10(9) Part 9RR Psalm 48:1-3 Part 1RR “Guarding our Relationship with the Lord, Part 3” by Jerry MillerRR Some Favorite Verses (1) By David HarwoodRR Psalm 1:1 Part 1 (rerun)
March
RR Psalm 48:4(3) Part 2RR Psalm 48:8,9 Part 5RR Psalm 48:8,9 Part 4RR Psalm 48:5-7 Part 3RR Psalm 48:10-12 Part 6RR Psalm 48:10-12 Part 7RR Some Favorite Verses (2) Generosity and Enabling Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 48:13-15 Part 8RR Psalm 49:1-5 Part 1RR Psalm 49:1-5 Part 2RR Psalm 49:6(5) – Part 3RR Some Favorite Verses (3) Favor in Speaking and Knowledge By David HarwoodRR Psalm 49:7-9(6-8) Part 4RR Psalm 49:10,11(9,10) Part 5RR Psalm 49:12(11), 13(12) – Part 6RR Psalm 49:14(13) Part 7RR Manifestations of Favor in Speaking and Knowledge By David HarwoodRR Psalm 49:15,16(14,15) Part 9RR Psalm 49:15,16(14,15) Part 8RR Psalm 49:19-21(18-20) Part 11RR Psalm 49:17,18(16,17) Part 10RR Psalm 50:1,2 Part 1RR Psalm 50:3 Part 2RR “Guarding our Relationship with the Lord, Part 5” by Jerry MillerRR Yeshua’s Enriched Speech and Knowledge By David HarwoodRR Psalm 50:5 Part 4RR Psalm 50:4 Part 3RR Psalm 50:6 Part 5RR Psalm 50:6 Part 6RR Psalm 50:7-15 Part 7
April
RR Psalm 50:7-15 Part 8RR Psalm 50:7-15 Part 9RR Yeshua Provides a Pattern By David HarwoodRR Pasach 3 Torah Lesson – Exodus 33-12-34:26 By Jeffrey FreemanRR Let's Celebrate Yom HaBikurimRR Psalm 50:16-21 Part 10RR Psalm 50:16-21 Part 11RR Sh’mini Torah lesson – Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47 By Jeffrey FreemanRR Psalm 50:22,23 Part 13RR Psalm 50:16-21 Part 12RR Yeshua Grew By David HarwoodRR Psalm 51:1,2 Part 1RR Psalm 51:3 Part 2