“Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost…”
The Gloria Patri is a timeless song of praise that reminds us God is faithful through every generation.
The words and music of the Gloria Patri have united generations of believers in praise — a simple yet powerful reminder that all glory belongs to God.
Gloria Patri
A Short Song of Praise to the Triune God
The Gloria Patri is one of the short worship words we often sing or say in church.
It begins:
“Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost…”
These words remind us that Christian worship is centered on the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Reel Reflection
What Is the Gloria Patri?
The word Gloria means “glory.”
The word Patri means “to the Father.”
The Gloria Patri is a short hymn of praise sometimes called a doxology, which means words of praise to God.
It praises:
God the Father
Creator, provider, and source of life
God the Son
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord
God the Holy Spirit
God’s presence, power, and comfort with us
Why We Say or Sing It in Worship
The Gloria Patri helps us remember that worship is not mainly about us.
Worship lifts our hearts toward God.
When we sing these words, we are saying:
God is worthy of glory.
God has always been faithful.
God is faithful now.
God will be faithful forever.
Grounded in Scripture
“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”
— Revelation 4:8, NASB
The Gloria Patri echoes the truth that God is eternal. He was worshiped in the beginning, He is worshiped now, and He will be worshiped forever.
Reasons We Believe
The Gloria Patri teaches an important Christian truth: God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This is called the Trinity.
We do not worship three gods. We worship one God, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This truth shapes Christian prayer, baptism, worship, and faith.
Obedience in Action
When we sing the Gloria Patri, we practice giving glory to God.
That means we learn to:
Praise God with our words
Honor God with our choices
Trust God in every season
Remember that our lives belong to Him
Walk It Out
This week, when you hear or sing the Gloria Patri, pause and listen carefully.
Ask yourself:
What does it mean to give glory to God today?
How can my words honor God?
How can my actions point others toward Christ?
Where do I need to remember that God is faithful forever?
A Simple Prayer
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
receive our worship and praise.
Teach us to give You glory with our words, our hearts, and our lives.
Help us remember that You were faithful in the beginning, You are faithful today, and You will be faithful forever.
Amen.
Learn More About Worship at Pleasant Grove UMC
→ Return to Worship Words
→ Learn more about Understanding Our Worship
→ Explore Worship Practices
→ Learn about The Lord’s Prayer
→ Visit What to Expect in Worship
→ Plan your next visit at PGUM.org
Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church is a Beacon of Light in Pleasant Grove and western Jefferson County, helping neighbors grow in faith, worship, and love.
