O Thou incomprehensible, eternal God, Thou King of kings, and Lord of
lords, Thou, who only hast immortality and dwellest in the light which no
man can approach unto, we thank Thee in humility of heart, that Thou
didst come forth out of Thy light and reveal Thyself as one God in three
persons. But because this exalted mystery of the holy Trinity transcends
all our conception and understanding, do Thou Thyself bring our reason,
which thinks itself to be wise, into captivity to Thy obedience, and do
not permit its foolishness to set itself against Thy wisdom. But do Thou
impress upon our hearts the living and believing knowledge, that Thou art
Three and One, in order that we may steadfastly preserve this truth as a
precious treasure against all error, and with the deepest humility may
worship Thee, O Triune God, with equal honor, according to Thy
revelation.
Give us, O holy Father, a knowledge of Thee, that Thou comest from no
one, but didst beget Thy Son from eternity and together with Him lettest
the Holy Spirit proceed from Thee; but also how Thou didst give Thyself
to us as our Father, in order that we might, in childlike obedience and
confidence, consecrate unto Thee every thing in us that is Thy work.
Eternal Son of God, Lord Jesus Christ, reveal Thyself unto us also; how
Thou wast begotten from eternity by Thy heavenly Father as the brightness
of His glory and as the image of His essence, Light of Light, very God of
very God; how Thou out of love to us didst become our brother and didst
redeem us with Thy obedience, suffering and death, that we might in Thee
learn to know the Father aright, and through Thee come to Him, and also
enjoy the fruits of Thy salvation, here in righteousness and holiness,
hereafter in the communion of Thy glory. Lord God Holy Ghost, put Thy
light into our souls, in order that we may know how Thou proceedest as
the essential Breath from the Father and the Son from eternity, as the
true God and as a true person, also how Thou laborest faithfully at the
work of our sanctification. O continue the same in power, to enlighten,
purify, comfort and keep us, and to urge us to do all that is good, in
order that we may through Thy operation at last appear altogether holy
and pure before the throne of Thy glory.
To Thee, O Thou holy Trinity, be ascribed, by us and all creatures,
praise, honor, glory and thanks to all eternity, for Thy eternal majesty
and glory which Thou hast revealed unto us in Thy Word, and for all the
grace and benefits with which Thou hast blessed us. Amen.