TrinitarianPrayers forChristianWorship
EBERHARD JÜNGELIconfessesitsfaithinGod,Father,Son,andHolySpirit.However,themystery ofthetriuneGod,thoughfaithfullybelievedandsolemnlyconfessedinworship, seemstobeexistentiallyirrelevanttotheChristianlifebeyondtheserviceof worship.“Thissecretseemstobetransmittedonlyforitsownsake.Evenafterit iscommunicated,asa reality itremainsfullyhidden.” ThislamentbyKarlRahnerovertheexistentialirrelevanceoftheconfessionofthetriuneGodexpresses anexperientialdeficiencythathasbeenwidelydocumented.InGermany,even theformerFederalChancellorHelmutSchmidt,whounderstandshimselftobea
ThedoctrineoftheTrinityhasoftenbeenperceivedaspracticallyirrelevant. Prayerswithtrinitarianstructurecanbegintoovercomethisperception.TheGod whoisconfessedandproclaimedbyChristiansdoesnotexistinsplendidisolation, butisOnewhoexistsfrometernityasaBeingincommunity.Trinitarianprayers callChristianstoexperiencethelifeofthetriuneGod.
trueChristianandwhoforsometimeservedasasynodmemberofhischurch, recentlydeclaredintheweeklynewspaper DieZeit—inhisowncharacteristically incautioushonesty—thatthe Mysteriumtrinitatis (themysteryoftheTrinity)was completelyinaccessibletohimandtoothersaswell. Schmidtstands,without doubt,inthetraditionofImmanuelKant,whoregrettedthattheChristiandoctrineoftheTrinityhadnopracticalrelevanceatall.
Inmyopinion,thisdisastrousexperientialdeficiency,demonstrableinrelationtothe Mysteriumtrinitatis,results—largely,ifnotcompletely—fromthefact thatevenwithinChristianworshiptheconfessionofthetriuneGodremains strangelyisolated.Atbestitshowsupinthechorales,buteventhereitremains moreapiousquotationthansomethingthatmarksthelifeofthebelievingindividualandtheconfessingcongregationinawaybefittingtheintentionofthechorales.
Measurestocounterthislamentableexperientialdeficiencymust,therefore, begininworshipitself.ThatiswhyIhaveregularlygivenatrinitarianstructureto theprayersthatIamcalledtoformulateforworshipservicesledbyme—precisely becauseprayershaveaconstitutivesignificanceforthespirituallifeoftheindividualChristianandthegatheredcongregation.Here,intheprayersofChristian worship,iswherethe Mysteriumtrinitatis hasits SitzimLeben (settinginlife). SomeonewhonoticesthattheaddressofthetrinitarianGodhasitselfatrinitarian structurebeginstounderstandthattheGodwhoisconfessedandproclaimedby Christiansisinhisowninternalrelationshipsmany-faceted.ThisGoddoesnotexistinsplendidisolation,butisOnewhoexistsfrometernityasaBeingincommunity,indeed,whoexistsasa communityofmutualotherness.
Twothingsmustbetakenseriouslyinthisdefinition:themutualotherness itselfandthecommunityassertedwithinthismutualotherness.Infact,distinguishingbetweenGodtheFatherandGodtheSoncallsattentiontothegreatestof allcontrasts:faithinGodtheFatherisfaithinGodastheoriginoflife;faithinGod theSonisfaithintheGodwho,forourbenefit,diedourdeath.ButfaithinGodthe HolySpiritisfaithintheGodwho,inhimself,enduresthiscontrastbetweenlife anddeathandwhoresolvesthecontrasttothebenefitoflife.ThetriuneGodis in thisway acommunityofmutualotherness. This isthetrinitarianlifeintowhich Godseekstodrawus.
Intheprayersthatfollow,thetrinitariancommunityofmutualothernessis addressedinsuchawaythattherespectiveparticularityofeachpersonofthe Trinityiscalledtomind.Thisparticularityisrememberedsothatthosewhoare remindedofitbegintoshareinthelifeofthetrinitarianGod.Andwiththat, Christiansbeginto experience themysteryofthedivineTrinity—anexperience
which,then,hasgreatpracticalvalue.ForifthehumanistheimageofGod,then thehuman,too,ismeanttoturntheothernessthatdistinguishesamongpeopletowardcommunitythatdoesnotleveloutsuchotherness.
Wethankyou,dearheavenlyFather, Thateverymorningyourgracecomesfreshandnew.Todayalsoyou quickenuswithyourinexhaustiblepoweroflife.EternalGod,we singyourpraisenowandforever.
LordJesusChrist, Youarethespringthatstillsourthirstforlife.Wethankyouwithour heartsandmouthsandhands.
God,HolySpirit,come, Openourhearts,openourmouths,openourhands,thatwemight magnifyGod’snamewithourthoughts,ourwords,andour courageousacts,singinganewsongbeforealltheworld!
You,wepraise;youalone,ourtriuneGod.
LordGod,heavenlyFather, Evenwhenwecannotseeit,youruletheworld.Giveusstrengthand couragetotrustyourruleratherthanhumanrule.
LordJesusChrist,SonofGodandfriendofhumans, Youhaveexperiencedthedeathtowhichwesentyou;youhave knownthehellthatwemadeforourselves.Butyouhavebrokenthe powerofdeathandhellsothatyoucanbewithuseverydayuntilthe endoftheage.
WepraiseyoualongwiththeFatherinheaven,andweasknowforyour HolySpirit.
AswesilentlybringbeforeourheavenlyFatherthosethingsthat concernusmost,weprayespeciallyforthefreedomofthose Christianswhoareoppressedandimpededintotalitarianstates.Do notcometous,HolySpirit,withoutcomingalsotothemwithcomfort andwithstrength.
EverlastingGod,almightyFather, Fromthebeginning,youhavebeenourhelp.Youarethesourceofall goodgifts,grantingeachofusmorethanwedeserve.Wegiveyou thanks,andweaskyoutoopenoureyestotheblessingswithwhich yousorichlysurroundusoneveryside.
LordJesusChrist,youhumanGod[DumenschlicherGott], Youhavelivedourlifeandsufferedourdeathinordertobeginanew lifewithus.Youembraceusinamysterywhereweareforeversafe.
Wepraiseyourhiddenpresence,evenasweyearnforthefutureglory when,fullyvisible,youwillmeetusandalltheworld.Come,Lord Jesus!
God,HolySpirit,
Powerfromonhigh;youwanttoburnwithinusasaholyfire.Kindle inusalovefortruththatyieldsanearthlyknowledgewhichdoesnot destroythesecretsofthisworldbutratherentersthemprotectingly andlovingly.Deemusworthytoknowevenyou,openingour mouthsinawe.
LordGod,mercifulFather, Wethankyouthatyoualoneareourjudge.Youmakeushopeand yougiveuscourage,foryoujudgeuswithrighteousnessand compassion.Lord,havemercyuponus.
DearLordJesusChrist,
Wepraiseyou,foryouhaveallowedyourselftobejudgedonour behalf.Yougaveyourselfuptojudgmentoutofloveforus.Yougive usconfidenceandyoumakeusfree,foryourloveisstrongasdeath. Yourlovefreesusfromourguiltandliberatesusfromthepowers intowhosehandswehavefallen.YourloveleadsustotheFather’s sidewhereyouintercedeforusandruletheworldwithgraceand mercy.Christ,havemercyuponus.
Come,HolySpirit,
Speaktous,thatwehaveearstohearinaworldhardofhearing.
Come,HolySpirit, Awakenusfromthenightmaresthatoppressus.
Come,HolySpirit,
Renewusthroughandthrough,that,inaworldofviolence,we becomeinstrumentsofpeaceand,inatimeofinjustice,webecome witnessesofcompassion.
LordGod,heavenlyFather, Youknowus.Youknowusbetterthanweknowourselves.Lookwith favoruponallthatisrightwithusanduponthegoodthatwedo. Andwithyourlove,blotoutallthatisevilanddestructive.
LordJesusChrist, YouarethewaytotheFather’shouse.Keepuswithyouthatwereach thegoal.
God,HolySpirit,
Youopentousthewordoftruthfromwhichwelive.Comenowand openourheartsaswell.Gatherthescattered,loosenthebound,
encouragetheidle.Renewourmindsandtonguessothatwedare nowtobringbeforeourFatherinheaventhosethingsthatconcernus most....
LordourGod,Father,Son,andHolySpirit, Wecrytoyou.Seehowourworldhasgrownold!ComeHolySpirit, renewtheworld.Andgiveus,too,anewandconfidentspirit,ableto withstandtheassaultsofunbelief.
LordJesusChrist,
Youarethebrightdaywhoexpellsallourdarkness.Cometousnow withyourcreativeword,thatwemightpraiseyouandtheheavenly Fatherwhosentyou.
DearFather,almightyGod,
ThroughyourSonJesusChrist,youhaveentrustedyourselftous. Makeussotrustyouandoneanotherthatwebecomewitnessesof faithinthisworldofmistrustandsuspicion,demonstratingtoallhow muchyoulovethem.Forthisweloveyou,youeternalGod,you humanGod,youcomingGod.
LordGod,heavenlyFather,
Youcreatedtheheavenandtheearth,andentrustedyourcreationto us.Butwehavelaidaheavyhandonthecreation,andwehaveraised ourhandsagainstyouandotherpeople.Weconfesstoyou,almighty God,thatweareunworthysonsanddaughters,fullydeservingyour holyanger.
LordJesusChrist,
YouareGod’seternalSonandyetourbrother:Whereshallweflee thatwecanendure?LordChrist,toyoualone.
God,HolySpirit,
Yourenewtheearthanditspeople.Comenowtous,renewusfully thatourdespondentheartsfindnewcourage,thatourunderstanding findnewandbetterinsight,andthatourworknotbeinvain.Inthe midstofthisperishingworld,makeusfitwitnessesofyourcoming kingdom.
AlmightyGod,heavenlyFather,
YouareapraiseworthyGod,foryouareafriendlyGod.Youforgive oursinsanddonotretaliateagainstusforourmisdeeds.Weconfess toyouourunfriendlyacts,ourmaliciousdeeds,andtheguiltwehave broughtuponourselvesinrelationtoyouandourneighbors.
LordJesusChrist,
Youhavetakenuponyourselfourburdens.Youhavediedforusa sinner’sdeathinorderthatwemightlive.YouarethefaithfulSonof GodtheFather.MakeusalsoGod’sfaithfulchildren.
God,HolySpirit,
Comenowtousunholypeopleandmakeeachofus—however unlikely—asaint.Come,HolySpirit.
AlmightyGod,heavenlyFather,
Youhavegivenuslifeandthemeansoflife.Dailyandabundantly, youprepareatablebeforeus.Yetweneglectthethanksthatyouare due;weareafraidtosharewithotherswhatyouhavegivenus:our dailybread,ourtime,ourhearts,ourlives.Lord,shameuswithyour goodness,andletusunderstandhowwehavesinnedinthought, word,anddeed.
LordJesusChrist,
Yousharedourdistress,andyoudiedforusthatwemightlive.You haveinvitedustothemealforsinners,preparingforusjoyuponjoy atyourowntable.Thoughwearenotworthy,wecomegladly, confessingtoyouourguilt,ourgreatguilt.
God,HolySpirit,
Yourefineusandmakeusholywiththefireofyourlove.Wepray thatyoucomeandrenewusthroughandthroughthatwemight speakfromacleanheart,saying,“Godbemercifultome,asinner!”
AlmightyGod,heavenlyFather,
YouawakenedyourSon,ourLordJesusChrist,fromdeath.Fromthe confinesofthegraveyouhavemadeanewhumanity;fromthe darknessofdeathyouhavebroughtnewlifetolight.Forthiswe thankyou.Forthiswepraiseyou.Glorytoyouinalleternity!
LordJesusChrist,
Youswallowedupdeathinvictoryandgavethatvictorytous wretchedones,touswhohavefailed.Weglorifyyouandpray:lead usoutoftheconfines,outoftheprisonsofourdailylives,andtakeus intoyourrealmoffreedom.Makeusfree,hereandnowandalways.
God,HolySpirit,
Makewidetheworld’sgates,liftupitsdoors,sothatthisworldmight betouchedandrenewedbyyourpower.Openalsoourownhearts, ourminds,andourunderstandingthatwecanmutuallydiscoverone another,understandoneanother,learnloveandrespect.
AlmightyGod,dearheavenlyFather,
Youareworthyofpraise,youwhosowonderfullycreatedtheworld, crowningitwithhumanbeings.Youpreservetheheavenandthe earth.Everymorningyougiveintoourhandstheworkofyour hands—thoughweshamefullymisuseit.
Youentrusttoustheworldthatwemightliveonearthinpeaceand joy.Notwe,eternalCreatorandfatherlyPreserver—notwe,butyou areworthyofpraise.Wepraiseyou!
LordJesusChrist,SonofGodandLightfrometernalLight, Youaretobepraisedbyalltheworld,foryouhaveborneandbroken throughthedarknessofoursins.Yourdeathtookawaythepowerof death.Raisedfromthedead,youbrokethroughthedarknesswith whichwesooftenandsofurtivelydarkenourownlivesandthoseof others.YouareandremaintheLightofLife:thelightthatillumines, thelightthatwarms,thelightthatguidesourway—highlytobe praisedintimeandeternity!
God,HolySpirit,
Yougloriousbondofunbreakablelovebetweenheavenandearth!
Youcometopeoplewhoareunabletopraise.Youopenclosedears andtouchembitteredhearts.Yourenewwhatwemakeold.Come, HolySpirit,youunsettlingSpirit,moveandfreeourheartssothatwe heartilypraiseyou,sothatallofus,inthanksandprayer,entrust ourselvestoyou,theSpirit,theSon,andtheFather:ourGod.
DearheavenlyFather,
Yougiveusourdailybread.Wethankyou,andweneverceaseto pray:Everymorning,giveusandallyourchildreneverythingwe needforourphysicallives.
LordJesusChrist,
Youarethebreadoflife,cometousfromheaven.Wepraiseyou,for youhavegivenyourselftosatisfyourhungerforlife.Wepraiseyou inourprayerthatyounourishoursoulsandstrengthenthemwith yourHolySpirit.
God,HolySpirit, Cometous,filluswithjoyandwithlustforlife.Renewthehungerin thosewho,spirituallyandtemporally,aretiredoflife.Fillwith insightthosewhoaregreedy,makingusseenotonlywhereweare meanttogiveratherthantotake,butalsowherewecanfreelytake, freelypray,freelybeg.Giveusthisdayourdailybread.
LordGod,heavenlyFather, Wepraiseandexaltyouthatwemaygatherhereinyourname,that wemightbehereforyoujustasyouarehereforus.Makeuslistento yousothatinthemidstofourmuddledliveswemightfindpaths thatbringusfinallytoseeyoufacetoface.
LordJesusChrist,
Youaretheway,thewayoflifethatleadsustrulyforward.Wethank youforyouleadnooneastray;insteadyouseekthosewhostray, callingalltheworldtoyourselfsothatnothingandnooneislost.
LordGod,HolySpirit,
Comeintoourhearts,wepray,andmakeusworthyofyourtruth. Giveuseverydaythecouragetoknowthetruthandgiveusthisday thecouragetospeakitinourhearts,namingourconcernsbeforethe heavenlyFather....
LordJesusChrist, YouknowtheFather’sgreatpower.Wethankyouforhisevengreater love.
Lord,HolySpirit, InyoutheFatherispresent.Wethankyouforthenearnessofhis help.
LordGod,heavenlyFather, Cometous,wepray,asfriend,andbeourhelpinallourdays.Give directionandpurposetothoseamonguswhoarebright.Give composureandcouragetothosewhoareweak.Andtothelazygivea swiftkick.Encouragethewearywithalivingspirit.Leadthewayfor allwhohavelosthope.Guidethelonelytoalovingneighbor.Bring lovershappilytogether.
Lord,touchalsothepowerfulwithaspiritofinsight.Leadthemout ofthewickedstruggleforpowerandintothewholesomestrugglefor justiceandorder,theworthystruggleforhumancompassion.Their laborishard;mayitservethewell-beingofallpeoples,aboveall thosewhoareoppressed,thosewhosewoundscryaloudtoheaven. HealLord,foritistime.
BringpeacetoVietnam,protectthepeaceonthebordersofIsrael. Givefreedomtoallwhohavenone.Touchthechurchwithanew spirit,thattheynevercomplainwithoutalsogivingthanks,thatthey neverfightwithoutsuffering,thattheyneverstandstillwithout growth.Driveoutofusthethirstforspiritualviolence.Initsplace bringthecourageofspiritualpower,to forgive sinsinadecaying worldandtocallforththetimeofresurrectionofthedead.Giveus couragetocrytoyou:Lord,neverceasetoseekus,youwiththeSon
andtheSpirit,inlifeandindeath,untilwefindourselvesineternity.
DearFatherinheaven,
Youseekustirelessly,thoughwegoastray.Wearegratefulthatno placeisoff-limitsinyoursearchforus.YourdearSonJesusChristhas toldushowmuchyoucare.Inhim,youcomeaftereachofus.Your goodSpiritopensoureyestothegoodgiftswithwhichyouenliven thelostandthefound.GiveusthatgoodSpirit,andtakecareofus throughJesusChristyourSonourLord,whowithyouandthegood andHolySpiritlivesandrulesfromeverlastingtoeverlasting.
Wethankyou,almightyGod,dearheavenlyFather, ForyourSonJesusChrist,whocametoearthforoursake,whodied sothatwecouldfindpeace:peace,OGod,withyou;peacewithone another;andforeachofus,peacewithourselves.
LordJesusChrist,wegiveyouthanks
Thatyouhavecomeneartousinbreadandwine,closertoeachofus thanwearetoourselves.Whereyouare,Lord,sindeparts.Where youare,thereislifeandhappiness.Lord,abidewithusalways.
God,HolySpirit,bondoflovebetweenFatherandSon,betweenheaven andearth,
Bindus,too,tooneanother;makeusgrowintoacommunitythat doesnotrequiresameness,butthataffirmsandstrengthensand defendstheothernessofeach.Strengthenourfaith,renewourlove, andenlivenourhopethatwemightlive,speak,act,and,ifneedbe, sufferaswitnessesandinstrumentsofyourtruth,alwaysstirredand heldbyyou,theThreeinOne—until,freedfromsinanderror,wesee youineternity.
Lord,ourGodandheavenlyFather, Youhaveappointedandcalledusmortalstoyoureternalkingdom. Weknowthatwearenotworthyofyou,soallthemoreweare gratefulforyourfatherlymercy.
LordJesusChrist,GodofGod,LightoftheFather’sLight, Youhaveilluminedthedarknessofthisworldandhavebrought warmthandbrightnessintoourownlives.Wetrustyou,andwe entrustourselvestoyou.
God,HolySpirit,
Youvisitusinourfrailty.YoucarryourfrailexistencetotheFather andtohiseverlastinglife,tothelifethatendures.Cometousnow andpullustogether,eachone.Gatherusall,differentasweare,into yourowncongregationthatwemightbearcommonwitnesstothe truththatcomfortsusinlifeandindeath.
AlmightyGod,dearheavenlyFather, Yougiveusourdailybreadandpreserveourlivesinyourloving kindness.Wethankyouandaskthatyoucontinuetofeedussothat weinturnmightworktofeedahungryworld.
LordJesusChrist, Youarethebreadoflife.Awakeninusahungerforyou.
Lord,HolySpirit, Gatherusaroundthislivingbread;uniteusthroughthisbreadthat makesuslivefortimeandeternity.Maywetastehowfriendlyyou are,God,Father,Son,andHolySpirit.
AlmightyGod,dearheavenlyFather, Insurpassingwisdomyouguidethecourseofourworld.Theworld alwaysseekstoescapeyou,Lord,butwithagentlehandyouguide allthingsbacktoyou.Wethankyou,Lord,andpraythatyouwould guidealsothecourseofourliveswithinthisworldthatwemightfind rest,OGod,inyou.
LordJesusChrist, Yoursurpassingwisdomisrevealedinthedepthsofhumanmisery andinwordsandactionsthatseemfoolishinoureyes.Openour blindeyestoyourhiddenglorythatshineswhereitisleastexpected.
God,HolySpirit, YouaretheSpiritthatmakesthefoolishwiseandtheweakstrong. Liftus,HolySpirit,outofourownweakness.Encouragetheweary, gatherthescattered,calmthedistracted.God,HolySpirit,youarethe Spiritofjoy.Fillusnowwiththejoyoffaith,sothatwe,freeoffear andtimidity,cancomeoutofourselvesandentrustourselvesfully andcompletelytoyou,OTriuneGod.