第55章 私下的祈祷
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第55章 私下的祈祷
§2
Chap. 55 Secret Prayer
§3
家庭祷告和公共祷告都有其地位；但是惟有与上帝私下交往，才能维持属灵的生命。摩西看到那作为上帝荣耀居所奇妙建筑的模型。乃是他与上帝同在山上的时候。我们应当在与上帝同在的山上——与主交通的密室中——默想祂为人为所立光荣的理想。这样，我们就能完成品格的建造，使主的应许实现在我们身上。“我要在他们中间居住，在他们中间来往，我要作他们的上帝，他们要作我的子民”（林后6:17）。{GW 254.1}[1]
§4
Family prayer and public prayer have their place; but it is secret communion with God that sustains the soul-life. It was in the mount with God that Moses beheld the pattern of that wonderful building which was to be the abiding-place of His glory. It is in the mount with God--the secret place of communion--that we are to contemplate His glorious ideal for humanity. Thus we shall be enabled so to fashion our character-building that to us may be fulfilled the promise, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. [2 Corinthians 6:16.] {GW 254.1}[1]
§5
我们在从事日常工作的时候，应当藉着祷告中把自己的心提到天上。当这些静默的祷告像香气一样升到施恩的宝座前时，仇敌就败退了。凡如此与上帝保持心灵交通的基督徒必不会失败。没有什么邪恶的计谋会破坏他们的平安。上帝圣言的一切应许，上帝恩典的所有能力，耶和华的一切资源，都保证会来援助他。以诺就是这样与上帝同行的。上帝与他同在，作他随时的帮助。{GW 254.2}[2]
§6
While engaged in our daily work, we should lift the soul to heaven in prayer. These silent petitions rise like incense before the throne of grace; and the enemy is baffled. The Christian whose heart is thus stayed upon God cannot be overcome. No evil arts can destroy his peace. All the promises of Gods word, all the power of divine grace, all the resources of Jehovah, are pledged to secure his deliverance. It was thus that Enoch walked with God. And God was with him, a present help in every time of need. {GW 254.2}[2]
§7
基督的传道人必须警醒祈祷。他们可以坦然无惧地来到施恩的宝座前。不生气也不疑惑地举起圣洁的手祷告。他们凭着信心可以向在天上的父求智慧和恩典，以便知道如何作工，如何应付人心。{GW 254.3}[3]
§8
Christs ministers must watch unto prayer. They may come with boldness to the throne of grace, lifting up holy hands without wrath or doubting. In faith they may supplicate the Father in heaven for wisdom and grace, that they may know how to work, how to deal with minds. {GW 254.3}[3]
§9
祷告乃是属灵的呼吸，是属灵能力的秘诀，没有其他良方可以代替它，以保持心灵的健康。祈祷使心灵与生命的源泉直接接触，使宗教经验中的筋骨和肌肉健壮。疏忽祷告，或断断续续的祈祷，表面上看来是方便一些，但你却失去了与上帝的联系，属灵的能力失去了生气，宗教经验缺乏健康和活力。{GW 254.4}[4]
§10
Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted, and the health of the soul be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into immediate contact with the Well-spring of life, and strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual faculties lose their vitality, the religious experience lacks health and vigor. {GW 254.4}[4]
§11
我们只有在上帝的坛前，才能用圣火点燃我们的蜡烛。只有上帝的光才能显明人类才干的渺小和无能，并使我们认识到基督的完美与纯洁。惟有仰望耶稣，我们才渴望效法祂。惟有瞻仰祂的公义，我们才能饥渴慕义。惟有在我们恳切祈求时，上帝才满足我们的心愿。{GW 255.1}[5]
§12
It is only at the altar of God that we can kindle our tapers with divine fire. It is only the divine light that will reveal the littleness, the incompetence, of human ability, and give clear views of the perfection and purity of Christ. It is only as we behold Jesus that we desire to be like Him, only as we view His righteousness that we hunger and thirst to possess it; and it is only as we ask in earnest prayer, that God will grant us our hearts desire. {GW 255.1}[5]
§13
上帝的使者若要在工作上取得成功，就要长期与祂同在。有一个故事说到英国兰开夏有一位老年妇女，听邻居们讲论他们传道人成功的秘诀。他们提到他的天赋，他演讲的方式和态度等。那位老妇人说：“都不是的。我来告诉你们他的秘诀是什么吧。你们的传道人与全能者有亲密的交往。”{GW 255.2}[6]
§14
Gods messengers must tarry long with Him, if they would have success in their work. The story is told of an old Lancashire woman who was listening to the reasons that her neighbors gave for their ministers success. They spoke of his gifts, of his style of address, of his manners. Nay, said the old woman, I will tell you what it is. Your man is very thick with the Almighty. {GW 255.2}[6]
§15
当人象以利亚那样献身，并拥有他那样的信心时，上帝就会象从前一样向他显现。人若象雅各那样恳求主，当年的效果就会重现。上帝必赐能力回答信心的祈祷。{GW 255.3}[7]
§16
When men are as devoted as Elijah was and possess the faith that he had, God will reveal Himself as He did then. When men plead with the Lord as did Jacob, the results that were seen then will again be seen. Power will come from God in answer to the prayer of faith. {GW 255.3}[7]
§17
耶稣的一生过着时刻信靠的生活，藉着不住地与上帝交往而得到维持，所以祂为天国的服务没有失败也没有动摇。基督每天遭遇试探，时刻遭民间领袖的反对。祂知道自己必须藉着祈祷来加强祂的人性。祂要造福人类，就必须与上帝交往，从祂那里得到精力、恒心和坚定不移的精神。{GW 255.4}[8]
§18
Because the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by continual communion, His service for heaven was without failure or faltering. Daily beset by temptation, constantly opposed by the leaders of the people, Christ knew that He must strengthen His humanity by prayer. In order to be a blessing to men, He must commune with God, from Him obtaining energy, perseverance, steadfastness. {GW 255.4}[8]
§19
救主喜欢在山上清静之处与天父独自交往。祂白天热心工作救人脱离灭亡。祂医治病人，安慰伤心的人，叫死人复活，使绝望的人得着希望和喜乐。祂往往白天完工之后，便在晚间离开城市的混乱，出去跪下祈求祂的父。有时祂整夜祈祷；及至与上帝交往回来之后，就身心舒畅，重新得力，振起精神克尽本分、应付试炼了。{GW 256.1}[9]
§20
The Saviour loved the solitude of the mountain in which to hold communion with His Father. Through the day He labored earnestly to save men from destruction. He healed the sick, comforted the mourning, called the dead to life, and brought hope and cheer to the despairing. After His work for the day was finished, He went forth, evening after evening, away from the confusion of the city, and bowed in prayer to His Father. Frequently He continued His petitions through the entire night; but He came from these seasons of communion invigorated and refreshed, braced for duty and for trial. {GW 256.1}[9]
§21
基督的传道人是否受着撒但的试探与猛烈的攻击？那位无罪的主也曾如此。祂在这些困苦窘迫的时辰转向祂的天父。祂自己就是福气和力量之源，能医治人的疾病，也能让死人复活。祂甚至斥责风暴，连狂风骤雨也听从祂的吩咐。但祂却祈祷，而且常常大声流泪祷告。祂为门徒祷告，也为自己祷告，从而认同我们的需要。祂的恳求有力。祂是生命之君，曾与上帝较力，并得了胜。{GW 256.2}[10]
§22
Are the ministers of Christ tempted and fiercely buffeted by Satan? So also was He who knew no sin. In the hour of distress He turned to His Father. Himself a source of blessing and strength, He could heal the sick and raise the dead; He could command the tempest, and it would obey Him; yet He prayed, often with strong crying and tears. He prayed for His disciples and for Himself, thus identifying Himself with human beings. He was a mighty petitioner. As the Prince of life, He had power with God, and prevailed. {GW 256.2}[10]
§23
传道人若真是基督的代表，就必成为祈祷的人。他们会以恒切而百折不回的信心祈求上帝坚固他们，加添他们力量去服务，又用红炭沾他们的口，使之圣洁，好知道如何向众人宣讲主的道。{GW 256.3}[11]
§24
Ministers who are truly Christs representatives will be men of prayer. With an earnestness and faith that will not be denied, they will plead with God to strengthen and fortify them for service, and to sanctify their lips by a touch of the living coal, that they may know how to speak His words to the people. {GW 256.3}[11]
§25
祈祷就是向上帝敞开心怀，如同与朋友谈心一样。信心的眼睛会看到上帝就在旁边。祈祷的人会得到上帝慈爱和关怀他的宝贵证据。拿但业的祈祷出于诚心，就得到主的垂听应允。主鉴察万人的心。“正直人的祈祷，为祂所喜悦”（箴15:8）。凡向主敞开心门而不自高自大、并诚心认识到自己软弱和不配的人，主必立即垂听。{GW 257.1}[12]
§26
Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. The eye of faith will discern God very near, and the suppliant may obtain precious evidence of the divine love and care for him. The prayer that Nathanael offered came from a sincere heart, and it was heard and answered by the Master. The Lord reads the hearts of all, and the prayer of the upright is His delight. [Proverbs 15:8.] He will not be slow to hear those who open their hearts to Him, not exalting self, but sincerely feeling their weakness and unworthiness. {GW 257.1}[12]
§27
我们需要祷告，就是真诚、热烈、恳切的祷告，就象大卫所献的祷告那样。他说：“上帝啊，我的心切慕祢，如鹿切慕溪水。”“我羡慕祢的训辞。”“我切慕祢的救恩。”“我羡慕渴想耶和华的院宇；我的心肠，我的肉体，向永生上帝呼吁”（诗42:1；119:40,174；84:2）。{GW 257.2}[13]
§28
There is need of prayer, earnest, fervent, agonizing prayer, such prayer as David offered when he exclaimed, As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. I have longed after Thy precepts. I have longed for Thy salvation. My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. [Psalm 42:1; 119:40, 174; Psalm 84:2.] {GW 257.2}[13]
§29
教训和讲道最有效果的人，是那些谦卑地等候上帝，渴望祂引导和恩典的人。基督徒的口号是警醒、祈祷、作工。真基督徒的人生是时时祷告的人生。祂知道一天的亮光力量不足以抵御第二天的试炼和斗争。撒但不断地变换他的试探。我们每天的遭遇不同。在新的环境下会有新的危机，随时有预料不到的试探包围我们。我们只有藉着从天而得的力量和恩典，才有希望应付试探，履行我们当前的责任。{GW 257.3}[14]
§30
Those who teach and preach the most effectively are those who wait humbly upon God, and watch hungrily for His guidance and His grace. Watch, pray, work--this is the Christians watchword. The life of a true Christian is a life of constant prayer. He knows that the light and strength of one day is not sufficient for the trials and conflicts of the next. Satan is continually changing his temptations. Every day we shall be placed in different circumstances; and in the untried scenes that await us we shall be surrounded by fresh dangers, and constantly assailed by new and unexpected temptations. It is only through the strength and grace gained from heaven that we can hope to meet the temptations and perform the duties before us. {GW 257.3}[14]
§31
我们不配而有罪的人类竟有权利向上帝提出请求，我们的祷告竟能发生效果，这真是一件奇妙的事。与无穷的上帝相联——人还能希望得到什么更高的权力呢？软弱有罪的人有权利与他们的创造主说话，我们所说的话竟能达到宇宙大君的宝座前，我们行路时可以与耶稣交谈。祂说：我在你的右边（见诗16:8）。{GW 258.1}[15]
§32
It is a wonderful thing that we can pray effectually; that unworthy, erring mortals possess the power of offering their requests to God. What higher power can man desire than this,--to be linked with the infinite God? Feeble, sinful man has the privilege of speaking to his Maker. We may utter words that reach the throne of the Monarch of the universe. We may speak with Jesus as we walk by the way, and He says, I am at thy right hand. [See Psalm 16:8.] {GW 258.1}[15]
§33
我们可以在心中与上帝交通，也可与基督结伴同行。当我们从事日常工作的时候，我们可以倾心吐意，而不被任何人的耳朵所听闻。但我们的话决不会寂然消失。没有什么事能压抑心灵的愿望。它能超脱街市的嘈杂和机器的噪音。我们是与上帝说话，所以我们的祈祷必蒙垂听。{GW 258.2}[16]
§34
We may commune with God in our hearts; we may walk in companionship with Christ. When engaged in our daily labor, we may breathe out our hearts desire, inaudible to any human ear; but that word cannot die away into silence, nor can it be lost. Nothing can drown the souls desire. It rises above the din of the street, above the noise of machinery. It is God to whom we are speaking, and our prayer is heard. {GW 258.2}[16]
§35
既然这样，你们就祈求吧。你们祈求，就必得着。要求谦卑，求智慧，求勇气，求信心的加增。每一个出于诚心的祷告必蒙应允。上帝的应允也许不是照着你的意思，或你所希望的时辰，但祂必按着最有利于你的时间和方式给你。你在孤单、疲乏、试炼之中所献的祷告，上帝必定应允你，不一定按照你的期望，但总是与你有益的。{GW 258.3}[17]
§36
Ask, then; ask, and ye shall receive. Ask for humility, wisdom, courage, increase of faith. To every sincere prayer an answer will come. It may not come just as you desire, or at the time you look for it; but it will come in the way and at the time that will best meet your need. The prayers you offer in loneliness, in weariness, in trial, God answers, not always according to your expectations, but always for your good. {GW 258.3}[17]