Triperspectival Prayer

After dropping my kids off at daycare this morning I decided to take a quick walk around my block just to get a little fresh air and spend some quiet time before I dove into my day. As I walked I began praying, which is not something I feel I’m very good at or do nearly enough.

My prayer this morning was something like this:

God, thank you for your perfect love and for the love and life of your son Jesus. Thank you for what you have done for your name’s sake to redeem this world, defeating sin, and restoring us to your holiness.

Father, transform my heart. May the truth of your love wash over me and change me.

Lord, lead me this day. Lead me where you would have me go. Enable me to be what you have called me to be as a husband and a father and as a servant. May my work glorify you and may I serve with a heart of joy and love.

After I prayed, I immediately recognized that my prayer followed a Triperspectival structure consisting of a Normative, Existential, and Situational element.

Normative - I began my prayer focused on the truth of the Gospel, addressing who God is, who Jesus is, and what they are doing in the world.

Existential - I next prayed that I would be changed by this truth, speaking to what God is doing in my life.

Situational - I then addressed how I would respond to this truth and change. That I would go forth as part of God’s mission, specifically speaking to the areas that I know God has called me.

My prayer also brought to mind something I read on Drew Goodman’s blog about giving Triperspectival Benedictions at Kaleo Church. Drew and Kaleo have had a tremendous influence on my thinking in this area and I highly recommend you read Drew’s posts on Tripersectivalism if you are interested.