One of the foundations of Christianity is the concept of the Trinity. The doctrine, at its core, teaches that God exists as three separate entities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Yet, these three seamlessly merge as one all-knowing God. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.

With that said, the Father, creator of the universe, is holding back on the day Jesus will return. In this condensed version, Jesus admitted, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father…Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come…So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” From Matthew 24:36-44.

Jesus also explained the Holy Spirit. “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” John 14: 15-17.
In book 1 of the Where Did Everybody Go Series, Pastor “Red” O’Donnell was teaching his first Bible class after the Rapture. Most in the small group knew nothing about the Bible. Those who did have some biblical knowledge had only read the Word of God as an academic exercise. The original class was going to discuss why an untold number of people suddenly disappeared. Red was about to start the class with a prayer. A hand went up. One question about prayer led to several others. The topic for the evening class was scrapped, and an impromptu lesson on prayer began.

At the end of the lesson, the pastor was summarizing earlier questions. The following is a condensed excerpt. “Your personal prayer directed to Jesus can be simple and concise. There are no magical words. When you are ready, say a prayer from your heart and soul. He will hear your words and know what is in your heart.
"As a note, when you say, Amen, you are saying ‘so be it’ or ‘may it be so.’ When you pray, you are committing to your request. Some people end a prayer: ‘In Jesus' name I pray, amen.’ Others may say, ‘I pray in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.’ Those three names refer to the Trinity."

Button (the nickname a lady) had tried to help when Eddie asked who people pray to. At the time, she was confident her answer, God, Jesus,” was right. Now she was not sure. “So, who hears my prayer? Which one of the three should I pray to?”

Most attending tonight's session were new to Christianity. He could see that some were feeling a little overwhelmed. He tried to make his answer clear, but brief. “God the Father is the creator of everything. If you see a majestic mountain or a beautiful lake surrounded by a massive forest, or you watch the sun sink into the Pacific Ocean, feel free to thank Him directly for His creation.

“Think of the Holy Spirit as the invisible force that fills you with insight and guides you towards God’s will. The Holy Spirit can guide you away from evil. Feel free to ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and protection.
“Jesus was here once before. He is returning to justly judge the world and each individual. He is the one returning to set up His kingdom on Earth. Although you can pray to any of the three and you will be heard, Jesus is your best starting point. Also know, when you pray to one, all three will hear.”

In the end, understanding the Trinity is an invitation to explore our own lives to better follow the teachings of Jesus in an Era of Grace. Whether you are a lifelong believer or someone exploring spiritual awareness, reflecting on the Trinity can offer fresh insights into faith and the loving nature of God.
If you are part of a Bible study group or know someone who is, the following might be interesting topics for discussion.

Practical Prayer · How should I decide which person of the Trinity to address in my prayers?
Trinity Clarity · Why is God both three and one? How can that be possible? Hint: As an analogy, one group discussed the Aurora Borealis.

Personal Application · How does understanding the Trinity change the way I live or pray daily?
Emotional Reassurance · Is it okay if I still feel confused about the Trinity or prayer?

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