While Trinitarian theology has gained attention in biblical studies, the book of Chronicles has rarely been examined in relation to the doctrine of the Trinity. Most Trinitarian studies in the Old Testament focus on the Torah, Prophets, or Psalms, leaving a gap in theological interpretation of the Chronicler’s writings. Despite its rich theology and liturgical emphasis, Chronicles has remained largely absent from discussions of Trinitarian thought or literary patterns that reflect divine plurality. This paper addresses that gap by analyzing 1 Chronicles 29 alongside three New Testament prayers—Matthew 6, John 17, and Ephesians 3. Despite differing contexts, these prayers reflect recurring roles of the Father, Son, and Spirit, forming an analogy that suggests theological coherence across Scripture. To examine this, the study proposes the concept of “prayer-literary continuity”—a framework consisting of four elements: literary form, rhetorical expression, theological theme, and redemptive-historical function.
These elements interact to show how Trinitarian theology appears in each prayer. Literary form shapes the prayer’s flow (e.g., praise, petition, intercession), while rhetorical features like repetition and parallelism mark transitions and highlight divine identity. These structures support theological themes such as sovereignty, intercession, and indwelling. The redemptive-historical function locates each prayer at a covenantal or ecclesial turning point. Together, they reflect how prayer both reveals and responds to the Triune God’s work in history.
In 1 Chronicles 29, David’s prayer moves from praise and thanksgiving to supplication. Phrases like “our Father” and “everything comes from you” express divine sovereignty and communal humility. The prayer reflects the Father’s rule, Solomon’s commissioning as a messianic figure, and a plea for a righteous heart, invoking the Spirit’s work. It coincides with the transition to temple preparation and royal succession.
Matthew 6 presents a model prayer taught by the Son to the covenant community. Its structure includes praise, petition, and intercession, with phrases like “your name,” “your kingdom,” and “your will.” It affirms the Father’s authority, the Son’s instruction, and the Spirit’s enabling role, shaping communal identity at a moment of redemption.
John 17 contains praise, intercession for disciples, and prayer for future believers. Terms like “Father,” “glory,” and “protection” emphasize the glorification between Father and Son and the sanctification of the community. Prayed before the crucifixion, it marks a theological climax in salvation history.
Ephesians 3 concludes with Paul’s doxology and petition. Expressions like “kneel before the Father” and “filled with all the fullness of God” highlight dependence on the Father, strength through the Spirit, and Christ’s indwelling. The prayer reflects the formation of a unified Jew-Gentile church.
By naming and analyzing this pattern as prayer-literary continuity, this paper offers a fresh approach to biblical prayers as literary-theological responses to the Triune God. Unlike studies focused only on theme or history, it integrates literary and theological analysis to uncover structural analogy across the canon. This model is introduced here for the first time and may open a new trajectory for future studies on Trinitarian dimensions in biblical prayers, particularly in the neglected texts of the Hebrew Bible.