The Trinity in Prayer: A Biblical Perspective
As a Christian, I was taught from a young age to begin my prayers with the sign of the cross, invoking the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This simple gesture was more than just a habit – it was a declaration of my faith in the triune God. As I grew older and deepened my understanding of Scripture, I came to realize that prayer is inherently Trinitarian.
The Trinity in Scripture
The Bible bears witness to the activity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in creation (Genesis 1:1-2, John 1:1-3) and salvation (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). John Frame summarizes the mutual deity and work of the Trinity, saying, “All three stand together as Creator and Savior… What else can they possibly be, other than one, somehow threefold God?” This Trinitarian mutuality has significant implications for our prayer lives.
The Trinity in Prayer
When we pray, we pray to the Father, through the Son, by the power of the Spirit. Paul Miller notes that the Spirit is not just assisting us in prayer, but is actually praying through us, bringing the childlike heart of Jesus into our hearts and crying out to the Father. This Trinitarian interplay is not limited to personal prayer, but is also present in public prayer.
Trinitarian Prayer in Practice
So what does Trinitarian prayer look like in practice? Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-19 is a great example, as he prays to the Father that the Ephesians would be strengthened by the Spirit so that the Son would dwell in their hearts by faith. This kind of prayer is not a formula to follow, but rather the natural movement of a mind instructed in gospel truth and a heart enflamed by gospel grace.
Addressing the Holy Spirit in Prayer
While it is common to pray to the Father through the Son, it is also biblical to address Jesus in prayer (John 14:13-14). However, praying directly to the Holy Spirit is less clear. While there is no biblical precedent for praying to the Spirit, it is also true that the Spirit is equally God and worthy of worship. Keith Getty’s hymn “Holy Spirit” is a beautiful example of praising the Spirit and petitioning Him in prayer.
Conclusion
In the end, good public prayer is Trinitarian prayer. It is prayer that exalts the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and acknowledges their mutual deity and work. As Matthew Henry’s prayer of adoration so beautifully puts it, “We pay our homage to three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: for these three are one.” May our prayers be a reflection of this glorious truth.
Leave a Reply