第35章 公众的祷告
§1
第35章 公众的祷告
§2
Chap. 35 Public Prayer
§3
在公众面前所奉献的祷告应当简短切题。上帝不要求我们用太长的祈祷，使敬拜的时间单调乏味。基督没有强迫祂的门徒举行令人厌烦的仪式和冗长的祷告。祂说：“你们祷告的时候，不可像那假冒为善的人，爱站在会堂里，和十字路口上祷告，故意叫人看见”（太6:5）。{GW 175.1}[1]
§4
The prayers offered in public should be short and to the point. God does not require us to make the season of worship tedious by lengthy petitions. Christ did not enforce upon His disciples wearisome ceremonies and long prayers. When thou prayest, He said, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. [Matthew 6:5.] {GW 175.1}[1]
§5
法利赛人有固定的祷告时间。他们外出时如遇到这个时间，不管是在什么地方——在街上，市场里，或在熙来攘往的人群中，他们就高声背诵规范的祷辞。这种专为荣耀自己而献的崇拜，受到了耶稣的无情指责。但祂并没有反对公共的祈祷，因为祂自己也曾和祂的门徒一起在众人面前祷告。但祂给门徒的印象是公众祷告应当简短。{GW 175.2}[2]
§6
The Pharisees had stated hours for prayer; and when, as often came to pass, they were abroad at the appointed time, they would pause wherever they might be,--perhaps in the street or in the marketplace, amid the hurrying throng of men,--and there in a loud voice rehearse their formal prayers. Such worship, offered merely for self-glorification, called forth unsparing rebuke from Jesus. Yet he did not discountenance public prayer; for He Himself prayed with His disciples and with the multitude. But He impressed upon His disciples the thought that their public prayers should be short. {GW 175.2}[2]
§7
无论什么公众祷告，几分钟就够了。有时上帝的灵可能感动人作特别的祈求。渴慕之心忧伤叹息地哀求上帝。他的心灵象雅各那样挣扎着，若看不到上帝能力的特别显现，就决不罢休。在这种情形之下，也许可以作略长的祈祷。{GW 175.3}[3]
§8
A few minutes is long enough for any ordinary public petition. There may be instances where supplication is in a special manner indited by the Spirit of God. The yearning soul becomes agonized, and groans after God. The spirit wrestles as did Jacob, and will not be at rest without the special manifestation of the power of God. At such times it may be fitting that the petition be of greater length. {GW 175.3}[3]
§9
许多人献上乏味的祷告，不象是向主祈求，而象是对主演讲。这样祈祷的人，倒不如采用基督教导门徒的祷告文。太长的祷告会使听众厌倦，不能预备他们聆听接下来的教训。{GW 175.4}[4]
§10
Many tedious prayers are offered, which are more like giving the Lord a lecture than presenting to Him a request. It would be better if those offering such prayers would confine themselves to the one that Christ taught His disciples to offer. Long prayers are tiring to those who hear, and do not prepare the people to listen to the instruction that is to follow. {GW 175.4}[4]
§11
人在公众面前献上冗长乏味的祷告，往往是因为忽略了私下的祈祷。传道人不应在祈祷时列举那一周所忽略的本分，藉此弥补他们的疏忽，安抚他们的良心。这样的祷告往往降低别人的属灵水准。{GW 176.1}[5]
§12
It is often because secret prayer is neglected that long, tedious prayers are offered in public. Let not ministers go over in their petitions a week of neglected duties, hoping to atone for their neglect and to pacify conscience. Such prayers frequently result in bringing others down to a low level of spirituality. {GW 176.1}[5]
§13
传道人在登上讲台之前，要先在密室里寻求上帝，与祂密切联络。在那里他可以把自己渴慕的心灵，高举到上帝面前，承受恩典甘露的滋润。及至受了圣灵的恩膏之后，他就要负起救人的重担，若不对会众宣扬基督为罪人的唯一避难所，就决不罢休。他觉得自己也许不能与这些听众见面了，就发出打动他们内心的请求。鉴察人心的主必赐给他口才，帮助他说出合时有力的话。{GW 176.2}[6]
§14
Before entering the desk, the minister should seek God in his closet, and come into close connection with Him. There he may lift his thirsty soul to God, and be refreshed with the dew of grace. Then with an unction from the Holy Spirit upon him, giving him a burden for souls, he will not dismiss a congregation without presenting before them Jesus Christ, the sinners only refuge. Feeling that he many never again meet these hearers, he will make appeals that will reach their hearts. And the Master, who knows the hearts of men, will give him utterance, helping him to speak the words he ought to speak at the right time and with power. {GW 176.2}[6]
§15
【祈祷要恭敬】
§16
有人以为向上帝祈祷若采用平常与人谈话的方式，是一种谦卑的表现。他们在祷告中经常不必要和不恭敬地提到“全能的上帝”，从而妄称了上帝圣洁可畏之名。人若非低声和心怀敬畏，就决不可提说这名。{GW 176.3}[7]
§17
【Reverence in Prayer】
§18
Some think it a mark of humility to pray to God in a common manner, as if talking with a human being. They profane His name by needlessly and irreverently mingling with their prayers the words, God Almighty,--awful, sacred words, which should never pass the lips except in subdued tones and with a feeling of awe. {GW 176.3}[7]
§19
夸张的话不论是在讲台上、家庭中或密室里都不适合于祷告。特别是作公众祷告的人，更当用简明的话语，使人人都能理解他所说的话，可与他同心祈求。{GW 177.1}[8]
§20
High-flown language is inappropriate in prayer, whether the petition be offered in the pulpit, in the family circle, or in secret. Especially should the one offering public prayer use simple language, that others may understand what is said and unite with the petition. {GW 177.1}[8]
§21
蒙上天垂听，而在地上得到应允的，是由衷而出的信心祈祷。上帝知道人类的需要。在我们祈求之前，祂早已知道我们的心愿。祂看见人心与试探和疑惑作斗争。祂注意到祈祷者的诚心。祂会悦纳人心的谦卑和哀恸。祂说：“但我所看顾的，就是虚心痛悔、因我话而战兢的人”（赛66:2）。{GW 177.2}[9]
§22
It is the heart-felt prayer of faith that is heard in heaven and answered on earth. God understands the needs of humanity. He knows what we desire before we ask Him. He sees the souls conflict with doubt and temptation. He marks the sincerity of the suppliant. He will accept the humiliation and affliction of the soul. To this man will I look, He declares, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word. [Isaiah 66:2.] {GW 177.2}[9]
§23
我们有权凭着信心祷告。有圣灵指示我们祈求。我们用简单的话向主陈述我们的需要，并本着信心求主成就祂的应许，这样，会众就可看出我们已学会在祷告中与上帝交流。他们也必得到鼓励，相信主在会场中，要打开他们的心领受祂的福惠。他们必更加相信我们的诚心，并乐意听从那传给他们的教训了。{GW 177.3}[10]
§24
It is our privilege to pray with confidence, the Spirit inditing our petitions. With simplicity we should state our needs to the Lord, and claim His promise with such faith that those in the congregation will know that we have learned to prevail with God in prayer. They will be encouraged to believe that the Lords presence is in the meeting, and will open their hearts to receive His blessing. Their faith in our sincerity will be increased, and they will listen with willing ears to the instruction given. {GW 177.3}[10]
§25
我们的祈祷应当充满温柔仁爱。我们若是渴望更深更广地明白救主的爱，就必呼吁上帝多赐智慧。如果有什么时候需要激动人心的祈祷和讲道，那就是现在了。万物的结局近了。但愿我们都能看明尽心寻求上帝的必要性!这样我们就必寻见祂。{GW 177.4}[11]
§26
Our prayers should be full of tenderness and love. When we yearn for a deeper, broader realization of the Saviours love, we shall cry to God for more wisdom. If ever there was a need of soul-stirring prayers and sermons, it is now. The end of all things is at hand. O that we could see as we should the necessity of seeking the Lord with all the heart! Then we should find Him. {GW 177.4}[11]
§27
愿上帝教导祂的子民怎样祈求。我们学校的教师和教会的传道人，应当每天在基督门下受教。然后他们就会恳切地祈祷，所求的必蒙垂听，所传的道就大有能力了。{GW 178.1}[12]
§28
May God teach His people how to pray. Let the teachers in our schools and the ministers in our churches, learn daily in the school of Christ. Then they will pray with earnestness, and their requests will be heard and answered. Then the word will be proclaimed with power. {GW 178.1}[12]
§29
【祈祷的姿势】
§30
无论是公众还是个人的崇拜，祷告时双膝跪在上帝面前，乃是我们的特权。我们的榜样耶稣曾“跪下祷告”（路22:41）。圣经记载祂的门徒也是“跪下祷告”（徒9:40）。保罗说：“我在父面前屈膝”（弗3:14）。以斯拉双膝跪下“在上帝面前承认以色列的罪”。但以理一日三次双膝跪在上帝面前，祷告感谢（但6:10）。{GW 178.2}[13]
§31
【Our Attitude in Prayer】
§32
Both in public and in private worship, it is our privilege to bow on our knees before the Lord when we offer our petitions to Him. Jesus, our example, kneeled down, and prayed. [Luke 22:41.] Of His disciples it is recorded that they, too, kneeled down, and prayed. [Acts 9:40; 20:36; 21:5.] Paul declared, I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. [Ephesians 3:14.] In confessing before God the sins of Israel, Ezra knelt. [See Ezra 9:5.] Daniel kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God. [Daniel 6:10.] {GW 178.2}[13]
§33
一个人之所以能对上帝表示真实的崇敬，乃是因为他感觉到上帝的无限伟大，并体会到祂与我们同在。每一个人的心都当因那看不见之主的临格而深受感触。祈祷的时辰和地点都是神圣的，因为有上帝同在。而且当我们在举止和态度上表示尊敬时，这种感觉就必加深。诗人说“祂的名圣而可畏”（诗111:9）。当天使称呼上帝的圣名时，他们都要遮盖自己的脸。如此看来，我们这些堕落有罪的人在提说祂的圣名时，岂不更应肃敬么？{GW 178.3}[14]
§34
True reverence for God is inspired by a sense of His infinite greatness and a realization of His presence. With this sense of the Unseen, every heart should be deeply impressed. The hour and place of prayer are sacred, because God is there; and as reverence is manifested in attitude and demeanor, the feeling that inspires it will be deepened. Holy and reverend is His name, [Psalm 111:9.] the psalmist declares. Angels, when they speak that name, veil their faces. With what reverence, then, should we, who are fallen and sinful, take it upon our lips! {GW 178.3}[14]
§35
不论老少，人人都该思考这些说明世人应当如何尊重上帝特别临格之处的经文。祂曾在焚烧着的荆棘中吩咐摩西说：“当把你脚上的鞋脱下来，因为你所站之地是圣地”（出3:5）。雅各在他看见天使的异象之后，感叹说：“耶和华真在这里，我竟不知道……这不是别的，乃是上帝的殿，是天的门”（创28:16,17）。{GW 178.4}[15]
§36
Well would it be for old and young to ponder those words of Scripture that show how the place marked by Gods special presence should be regarded. Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, He commanded Moses at the burning bush, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. [Exodus 3:5.] Jacob, after beholding the vision of the angels, exclaimed, The Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. . . . This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. [Genesis 28:16, 17.] {GW 178.4}[15]
§37
“惟耶和华在祂的圣殿中，全地的人，都当在祂面前肃敬静默”（哈2:20）。{GW 179.1}[16]
§38
The Lord is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him. [Habakkuk 2:20.] {GW 179.1}[16]
§39
在公众面前，不适宜献上说教式的单调祷告。出于信心和热心的简短祈祷，会软化听众的心。但冗长的祈祷会使他们等得不耐烦，在每听一句话时，都希望这是结束。传道人如果先在密室里与上帝角力，直到觉得自己的信心可以握住那“你们祈求，就给你们”（太7:7）的应许了，他在公众面前的祈祷就会直接切入要点。他会本着诚心和信心，求上帝赐恩典给他和他的听众。{GW 179.2}[17]
§40
Prosy, sermonizing prayers are uncalled for and out of place in public. A short prayer, offered in fervor and faith, will soften the hearts of the hearers; but during long prayers they wait impatiently, as if wishing that every word might end it. Had the minister making such a prayer wrestled with God in his chamber until he felt that his faith could grasp the promise, Ask, and it shall be given you, he would in his public prayer have come to the point at once, asking with earnestness and faith for grace for himself and his hearers. {GW 179.2}[17]