The Christian name. . .

I was asked recently why we use only first names in the Prayer of the Church, even for the President, Governor.  When we pray for those who lead us in Synod and District, we call them by first names (not nicknames, either).  Why?  To this person it seemed somewhat disrespectful to speak of our political and religious leaders with only first names and confusing to name the people whom we lift before the Lord by first name only (which Lois is sick and what is wrong with her?).

Sadly, my answer was too brief and probably even more confusing.  So if you are reading, here is a better one.  There was a time when the people had no name before God until baptism.  I particularly dislike the question in the current baptismal rite that asks How is this child named?  It sounds like the pastor forgot who he was baptizing and needs a prompt.  The older question is far different.  How shall this child be named?  It is as if the person has no name until that name is sealed upon him or her -- along with the Triune name of God -- and only then has a name and an existence.  But that is precisely what the situation is!  We are nobody until God's call, washing, new birth, and name gives us an identity as His own.  

The name by which God knows you is the name placed upon you when you were born of water and the Spirit and clothed with Christ's righteousness and named as God's own.   That is why we name them at the altar by their given name.  The surname is the family name.  It is from the family and belongs to the family and signifies an earthly relationship.  The first name is the name of the person.  It is not a perfect system -- some of us hate our given names or use middle names or nick names and resist being found out that our first name is Eudora or Hieronymus.   How foolish to be ashamed or embarrassed by a name -- perhaps that is a good reason for our parents to have second thoughts about the unique spelling of a common name or a word not a name which a delirious parent chose in the euphoria of childbirth.  

So if you hear us name Joseph our President or William our Governor or Matthew presiding in Synod or Roger our bishop, we are not being rude but deeply affectionate (and, if they are not children of God we are commending them by their name to God to hasten the day when they will be!).  When we name the sick, the suffering, the dying, and the families of the dead, the first name is the name by which God knows them.... and we know them.... and our prayers arise like incense before His throne of grace.

But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.  Isaiah 43