Trinitarian Prayer

Learn something new every day..

Got this from James at school cos we're doing a bibly study for ISCF this friday yey

Stanley Grenz, Theology for the Community of God, p96-97

Our affirmation of the doctrine of the trinity forms the foundations for the way we pray. In fact we can enjoy renewed meaning and power in our prayer life as we grow in our understanidn of the nature of the triune God who calls us to pray and who responds to prayer. Cognizance of the doctrine of the Trinity will facilitate a consciousness of whom we address in prayer

The practice of some Christians is simply to address all prayer to Jesus. This, of course, is understandable, for we sense a closenss to our Lord who walked the earth and experienced the conditions of human existence. Others emply the general term "God" in addressing prayer. This too is understandable, for prayer is communication with God.

Yet, the doctrine of the Trinity suggests a more theologticallly mature manner of praying. Because God is triune - noine other than father, Son, and Spirit - our prayers out to be addressed to the three Trinitarian persons in accordance with both the purpose of the specific prayer we are voicing and the function of each Trinitarian person.

As the New Testament itself confirms, we normally ought to address the Father in prayer. Jesus Himself instructed his disciples to pray "our heavenly Father." And James reminds his readers that "every good and perfect gift comes from the father" (James 1:17). The doctrine of the Trinity reminds us that the Father functions as the ground and source, both of creation itself and also salvation. Consequently, prayer is properly addressed to the Father as this glorious ground and source (rev 4:8-11). For this reaons, in prayer we come before the Father. We praise him for who he is, thank him for what he has done, and petition him in the face of need, becayuse he is the good and wise supplier of all that we lack.

Certain prayer, however, ought to be addressed ot the Son. In prayer we can praise our Lord for who he is. In so far as his work is completed, prayer addressed to the Son should also include thanksgiving for what he has done (See Rev 5:11-14). In addition, however, because the Son now intercedes for us, we can also thank him for this activity, And because we anticipate his return at the end of history, we can praise him in advance for what that event will mean. In this manner, we become the advance chorus of all creaiton that will publicly pay him homage as the Lord of all (phil 2:9-10)

As the one who completes the program of God, the work of the spirit is ongoing. In this context we can also address prayer to the third member of thr Trinity. ALthough there is no direct biblical reference to prayer addressed to the spirit we can appeal to the long tradition of church liturgy and hymnologoy which leads us to appriach the third Trinitarian person.l We will naturally offer our praise and thanksgiving to him. In addition, however, we may petition the spirit in areas of his work in the world, although it is also proper to petition the Father to send the Holy spirit to engage in such work.

At the same time, we must keep in mind that the Spirit acts as the "silent" member of the Trinity. Rather than draw attention to himself, he manifests his presence by exalting the Son and the Father. Spiritfilled prayer, therefore, moves from the spirit through the Son to the Father, for generally the Spirit prompts and empowers us to address our heavenly Father, through the name of Jesus