"The Fruit of Prayer" Part 8

 

- 8 -

Prayer and the Trinity

 

    Early in my Christian life, I was taught that the believer prays to our Heavenly Father, through the merits of the person and work of the Son, as led and enabled by the Holy Spirit.

 

    I still find this to be the most Biblically faithful pattern of communion with our triune God.

 

    "After this manner, therefore, pray ye, "Our Father, which art in Heaven..." (Matthew 6:9).

    "For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:18).

    "Stand therefore... praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:14; 18).

 

    Establishing this Scriptural standard of prayer in our hearts and minds prepares us seek God in a manner satisfying to both Him and ourselves.  We always do well to follow the Word of God in its ways and tenets, especially in matters so important as communicating with our Lord.  "I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways" (Psalm 119:15).  Furthermore, the Lord Jesus prayed to His Father in the power of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to "walk, even as He walked" (I John 2:6).  Directing our prayers to the Father, through the Son, and by the Holy Spirit therefore sets our spiritual footing on the solid ground of truth, and the fullness of the triune God who is completely involved in the Divine/human communication that comprises the very heart of Christianity.

 

    Knowing that God is fully involved in our prayers helps us to more completely devote ourselves to relationship with Him.  "Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (II Corinthians 3:18).  Since true prayer is fruit, better understanding of the Root that originates and empowers communion with God helps us to better experience the wonder of such a gift.  Again, to the Father, through the Son, and by the Holy Spirit - the fullness of God beckons us to more fully avail ourselves of so great a gift given by the One who loves us completely and forever.

 

"And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

(Matthew 3:16-17)