11. Prayer & the Trinity

Prayer, especially public, is usually addressed to the Father, but we do so because we are one with the Son and are moved by the Holy Spirit. God not only hears your prayer, he starts it. "In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings" (Romans 8:26). Notice how the opening prayer ends, "Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever." It is a Trinitarian formula. The Lord is still praying with us. As the head of our body, he remains with us always. If we are praying with the Son of God, how can our prayer not be acceptable? The Father always hears his children.