A Brief History of God (Trinity Sunday Prayer)

(Image of Creation)

When the world was created and humanity was born,
people became aware that the world was bigger than themselves.
They proposed a creator,
but who was this God?

(Idolatry Image)

Some saw an overlord, a greater being to be served,
a model for a system of using those who are downtrodden.
A god that justifies the status quo
and punishes those who step out of line.

(Moses Image)

But a group of people who saw a different God
one who adopted a nomadic people
a God who loved the helpless
and called to a radical way of community.

(Nativity Scene)

Then we believe God came to earth at Christmas
divinity wrapped in primitive nappies
transcendence wrapped in flesh
the infinite becoming a child.

(Jesus’ ministry)

So, who was this man?
A godly man showing us how to live a good life,
or God living among us, taking the good and bad,
and even death.

(Good Friday)

And how about that death?
Was this the world’s rejection of all that is good,
or God’s thundering “yes” to the universe,
reconciliation coming through a sacrifice of love?

(Pentecost)

We have just celebrated Pentecost,
the coming of something new,
yet God’s transformative power
was mistaken for drunkenness.

(Flame image)

So what is this Spirit,
God’s action within our very hearts
or an evolutionary trend to help us get along?
Lord, help us to believe.

(Church Image)

And who are we?
A human institution craving power for itself,
or a community continuing God’s redemptive work.
Lord, make us your church.

(Trinity Image)

We gather here today to celebrate the Trinity,
three persons but one God,
God that astounds our expectation, and befuddles our imagination,
Lord, you are worthy of our life, our thanks and our praise.