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

2. General Christian Pattern

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

4. 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.

5. Prayers in the Bible

6. 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 17:1ff – “Father, the hour has come…”
Luke 10:21 – “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…”

7. 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 5:9ff
Those who conquered – “Great and amazing … O Lord…” (Rev 15:3-4).

8. Trinitarian Liturgy/Hymnody

9. 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 4th Century
Used primarily after Psalms & Canticles
Sometimes used independently

10. 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.”

11. 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.”

12. 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.

13. 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.”

14. Liturgy/Hymnody Ancient Hymn Verses (from 4th 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.

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

16. Some Things to Remember

17. 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

18. 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.”

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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.