The Holy Trinity The Trinity in Our Prayers

The Holy Trinity The Trinity in Our Prayers, Hymns, and Liturgy

General Christian Pattern

General Pattern • Addressed to the Father • In the Name of the Jesus • (Or through Jesus) • By the power of the Holy Spirit

General Pattern • Father – Plans, directs, sends. It’s his will we seek. • “Name of Jesus” – Represents Jesus’ authority, righteousness. It is because of him and through him that we have access to the Throne of God (Hebrews 4: 16). • “Power of the Holy Spirit” – Our prayers come to God because of the Holy Spirit’s ministry. He empowers our prayers, and even prays for us (Romans 8: 26 -27). • We also hear from God through his Word by the Spirit.

Prayers in the Bible

Prayers in the Bible • Jesus’ Prayers • Matthew 6: 9 -13 – The Lord’s Prayer • Matthew 26: 39 – “My Father, if it be possible…” • John 12: 27 -28 – “Father, glorify your name…” • John 17: 1 ff – “Father, the hour has come…” • Luke 10: 21 – “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…”

Prayers in the Bible • The Apostles’ and Disciples’ Prayers • St Stephen – “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7: 59) • St Peter – “By no means, Lord…” (Acts 10: 14) • 24 Elders – “Worthy are you. . . For you were slain…” (Rev 5: 9 ff • Those who conquered – “Great and amazing … O Lord…” (Rev 15: 3 -4).

Trinitarian Liturgy/Hymnody

Liturgy/Hymnody • Gloria Patri – “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. ” • Dates from the 4 th Century • Used primarily after Psalms & Canticles • Sometimes used independently

Liturgy/Hymnody • Collect – “collects” the prayers of the Congregation, part of the Eucharistic propers • Typical form: • Address: “Almighty God…” • Petition: “Grant that…” • Oblation: “That…” • Doxology: “through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen. ”

Liturgy/Hymnody • Address is occasionally directed to Jesus • E. g. Third Sunday in Advent • “O Lord Jesus Christ…” • Doxology is not always Trinitarian • E. g. Collect for Purity in Holy Communion • “through Christ our Lord. Amen. ”

Liturgy/Hymnody • The Creed is usually recited in corporate liturgy. • The Lord’s Prayer is usually recited in corporate liturgy. • Confession: • “Almighty and most merciful Father…” – Offices • “Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…” – Communion • Consecration: “All glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father…” • Nevertheless other Persons are always mentioned.

Liturgy/Hymnody • Benediction: “The Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: And the Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen. ” • “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. ”

Liturgy/Hymnody • Ancient Hymn Verses (from 4 th Century): • O Father, that we ask be done, Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son, Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee, Doth live and reign eternally. Amen. • All laud to God the Father be; All praise, eternal Son, to thee; All Glory as is ever meet, To God the holy Paraclete. Amen.

Liturgy/Hymnody • Trinitarian hymns are common • “Holy, Holy” • “Holy God, we Praise thy Name” • Also hymns addressed to Jesus or the Spirit • “Fairest Lord Jesus” • “Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest”

Some Things to Remember

Some Things to Remember • While addressing the Father is typical, it’s never wrong to address the other two Persons. • The Persons of the Trinity never act alone, though they do have distinct roles • Father – Plans, directs, sends • Son – Sent by Father, subject to Father’s authority, obedient to Father’s will • Spirit – Sent by Father and Son, carries out will of Father and Son

Some Things to Remember • Don’t be an “accidental modalist” in your prayers. • E. g. , “Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for dying for our sins, and ask that you would fall upon us like you did at Pentecost. ” • Rather, “Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for sending your Son to die for our sins, and ask that you would send your Spirit upon us as you did at Pentecost. ”

Some Things to Remember • Pray the Liturgy • Time-tested • Helps when we are at a loss for words • Is not any less sincere or “spiritual” than spontaneous or extemporaneous prayer

Some Things to Remember • Pray the Scriptures • Especially the Psalms and Canticles • Also New Testament doxologies and hymns • But feel free to use the Gloria Patri, to bring a Trinitarian Reminder

Some Things to Remember • We’re never “bothering” God by praying; he wants to hear from us. • Jesus’ blood makes this possible, and even our privilege. • The Spirit empowers our prayers • God always speaks back as the Spirit speaks through the Word of God.