The Trinitarian Pattern of Prayer
The Bible presents prayer in a distinctly Trinitarian way: believers come to the Father through the Son, and the Holy Ghost helps us in our weakness.
- Read the primary Bible passages carefully and in context.
- Compare Scripture with Scripture before drawing the conclusion.
- State the main truth in plain words you could explain to someone else.
- Complete the Quick Checks and guided study before moving on.
Jesus taught His disciples to address the Father
Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
The ordinary New Testament pattern is prayer to the Father in the name of the Son. “In Jesus' name” is not a magic closing phrase. It means we come on Christ's authority, in harmony with who He is and what He wills.
The Holy Ghost helps our weakness
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Romans 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Sometimes a believer does not even know how to frame the burden. The Holy Ghost is not distant from that weakness. Romans 8 says He helps our infirmities and intercedes according to God's will.
One access, three divine Persons
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
This single verse gives a beautiful summary: through him — Christ; by one Spirit — the Holy Ghost; unto the Father. Christian prayer fits the Bible's revelation of the Trinity rather than collapsing Father, Son, and Holy Ghost into one Person.
Compare Scripture with Scripture
Scripture trail: Matthew 6:9 • John 16:23 • John 16:24 • Romans 8:26 • Romans 8:27 • Ephesians 2:18 • Matthew 6:9, John 16:23, John 16:24, Romans 8:26 • Matthew 6:6-13
Do not rush past the references. Open them, read the surrounding verses, and make the Bible carry the weight of the conclusion.
Think it through
- What does the passage teach about God, the believer, and the proper content or attitude of prayer?
- How does this truth shape prayer without turning prayer into a saving work or a technique for controlling God?
- How could you pray this truth back to God in your own words today?
Teach it back
Without looking at the lesson explanation, summarize The Trinitarian Pattern of Prayer in two or three sentences and support your explanation from Scripture. If you cannot explain it simply yet, return to the passages and work through them again.
Slow down and work the text
Reopen Matthew 6:9, John 16:23, John 16:24, Romans 8:26. Read enough before and after each verse to see the setting. Do not settle for remembering a slogan when you can inspect the wording for yourself.
- Write the main claim of The Trinitarian Pattern of Prayer in one sentence.
- Underline or write down the exact words in the passages that support that claim.
- Compare at least two of the passages. What truth becomes clearer when they are read together?
- Ask what could be misunderstood if one phrase were isolated from its context.
- Turn one truth from the lesson into a short, Bible-shaped prayer to God.
- What does this lesson teach about God and prayer?
- How should this truth affect the way you pray?
- What mistaken idea about prayer does the Scripture correct?
We ordinarily pray to the Father through the Son, while the Holy Ghost helps us. Biblical prayer is thoroughly Trinitarian.
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