Prayer as Trinity Dancing

Perichoresis is a term used to describe the dynamic, creative interaction within the Trinity and into which we have been adopted. Often referred to as the “dance of the Trinity,” how does that relate to our image of prayer?

“Lengthening Our Memory 4“: Scott McKnight, at Jesus Creed, shares from Chris Hall’s book, Worshiping with the Church Fathers, in which he examines the topic of prayer in the fathers….

What, or who, has been your best teacher for prayer?

Clement of Alexandria: prayer is communication with God. But this brings in theology: “true theology is the adoration offered by the intellect” (86). Hall here explains the Trinity in terms of perichoresis: God is love in communion, God has always been love in communion, and God created out of that love. Prayer is communion in that communion and God wants us to talk to him because those who love one another want to hear from one another, even when they know what the other one asks.

Father, Son and Spirit, I like that. I’ll have more of that communion dance please.