第16章 为病人祈祷
§1
第16章 为病人祈祷
§2
Chap. 16 - Prayer for the Sick
§3
圣经说，要“常常祷告，不可灰心”（路18:1）。人在筋疲力尽，生命没有把握的时候，会感到需要祷告。人在健康时往往忘记上帝日复一日、年复一年的奇妙恩典，不为祂的福惠而赞美祂。但当疾病临到时，他们就想起了上帝。在人的能力失败之际，人就会觉得需要上帝的帮助。我们慈悲的上帝，决不会抛弃凡诚心向祂求助的人。祂是我们在健康和疾病时的避难所。 “父亲怎样怜恤他的儿女，耶和华也怎样怜恤敬畏祂的人。因为祂知道我们的本体，思念我们不过是尘土”（诗103:13,14）。 “愚妄人因自己的过犯和自己的罪孽，便受苦楚。他们心里厌恶各样的食物，就临近死门”（诗107:17,18）。 “于是他们在苦难中哀求耶和华，祂从他们的祸患中，拯救他们。祂发命医治他们，救他们脱离死亡”（诗107:19,20）。{MH 225.1}
§4
The Scripture says that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (Luke 18:1); and if ever there is a time when they feel their need of prayer, it is when strength fails and life itself seems slipping from their grasp. Often those who are in health forget the wonderful mercies continued to them day by day, year after year, and they render no tribute of praise to God for His benefits. But when sickness comes, God is remembered. When human strength fails, men feel their need of divine help. And never does our merciful God turn from the soul that in sincerity seeks Him for help. He is our refuge in sickness as in health. Like as a father pitieth his children, So the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust. Psalm 103:13, 14. Because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, [men] are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of food; And they draw near unto the gates of death. Psalm 107:17, 18, A.R.V. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, And He saveth them out of their distresses. He sendeth His word, and healeth them, And delivereth them from their destructions. Verses 19, 20, R.V. {MH 225.1}[1]
§5
上帝现在愿意恢复病人的健康，正如圣灵藉着诗人说话时一样。基督与祂在地上服务时一样，依然是富有同情心的医师。在祂里面，有治疗任何疾病的药石，有克服一切软弱的能力。现在的基督门徒应该象祂从前的门徒一样为病人祈祷，病人就会得到痊愈，因为“出于信心的祈祷，要救那病人”（雅5:15）。我们有圣灵的能力和信心的可靠保证，能提出上帝的应许。主应许我们“手按病人，病人就必好了”（可16:18）。这个应许现在与使徒的时代一样可靠。这是上帝儿女的特权。我们要凭着信心把握其中所有的权利。基督的仆人是祂作工的通道。祂要藉着他们施展祂的医治之能。我们的工作就是用信心的膀臂把生病受苦的人带到上帝面前。我们要教导他们信靠那位大医师。{MH 226.1}
§6
God is just as willing to restore the sick to health now as when the Holy Spirit spoke these words through the psalmist. And Christ is the same compassionate physician now that He was during His earthly ministry. In Him there is healing balm for every disease, restoring power for every infirmity. His disciples in this time are to pray for the sick as verily as the disciples of old prayed. And recoveries will follow; for the prayer of faith shall save the sick. We have the Holy Spirits power, the calm assurance of faith, that can claim Gods promises. The Lords promise, They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover (Mark 16:18), is just as trustworthy now as in the days of the apostles. It presents the privilege of Gods children, and our faith should lay hold of all that it embraces. Christs servants are the channel of His working, and through them He desires to exercise His healing power. It is our work to present the sick and suffering to God in the arms of our faith. We should teach them to believe in the Great Healer. {MH 226.1}[2]
§7
救主要我们鼓励生病、受苦、绝望的人持住祂的大能。藉着信心和祈祷，病房能变成一个伯特利。医师和护士可以用自己的言行明白无误地告诉病人：“上帝在这里”要施行拯救，而不是要毁灭。基督愿意在病房彰显祂的慈颜，使医师和护士的心充满祂甜蜜的爱。要是医护人员在生命中有基督相伴，来到病人床边，病人就会感受到慈悲的救主在场。这种感悟对于病人身心健康的恢复是大有帮助的。{MH 226.2}
§8
The Saviour would have us encourage the sick, the hopeless, the afflicted, to take hold upon His strength. Through faith and prayer the sickroom may be transformed into a Bethel. In word and deed, physicians and nurses may say, so plainly that it cannot be misunderstood, God is in this place to save, and not to destroy. Christ desires to manifest His presence in the sickroom, filling the hearts of physicians and nurses with the sweetness of His love. If the life of the attendants upon the sick is such that Christ can go with them to the bedside of the patient, there will come to him the conviction that the compassionate Saviour is present, and this conviction will itself do much for the healing of both the soul and the body. {MH 226.2}[3]
§9
上帝是垂听祷告的。基督曾说：“你们奉我的名求什么，我必成就”（约14:14）。祂还说：“若有人服事我，我父必尊重他”（约12:26）。如果我们在生活中遵行祂的话，祂所赐的一切宝贵应许都必成就在我们身上。我们本来不配领受祂的恩慈，但只要我们把自己献给祂，祂就会接纳我们。凡跟从祂的，祂必为他们作工，并藉着他们作工。{MH 226.3}
§10
And God hears prayer. Christ has said, If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it. Again He says, If any man serve Me, him will My Father honor. John 14:14; 12:26. If we live according to His word, every precious promise He has given will be fulfilled to us. We are undeserving of His mercy, but as we give ourselves to Him, He receives us. He will work for and through those who follow Him. {MH 226.3}[4]
§11
然而我们只有在生活中顺从祂的吩咐，才能要求祂实现自己的应许。诗人说：“我若心里注重罪孽，主必不听”（诗66:18）。若是我们半心半意地顺从祂，祂的应许就不会实现在我们身上。{MH 227.1}
§12
But only as we live in obedience to His word can we claim the fulfillment of His promises. The psalmist says, If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. Psalm 66:18. If we render to Him only a partial, halfhearted obedience, His promises will not be fulfilled to us. {MH 227.1}[5]
§13
圣经中有为病人康复而特别祷告的指示。但这样的祷告是非常严肃的，非经慎重考虑，不可冒然进行。在许多情况下为病人祈祷，所谓的信心只不过是冒昧而已。{MH 227.2}
§14
In the word of God we have instruction relative to special prayer for the recovery of the sick. But the offering of such prayer is a most solemn act, and should not be entered upon without careful consideration. In many cases of prayer for the healing of the sick, that which is called faith is nothing less than presumption. {MH 227.2}[6]
§15
有许多人因自我放纵而患病。他们没有遵循自然律和严格纯洁的原则。有些人在饮食、着装和工作习惯上忽略了健康律。某种罪恶往往是身心软弱的原因。如果让他们得到健康之福，他们中有许多人就会继续肆无忌惮地干犯上帝的自然律和道德律，以为上帝既应允祷告，医好他们，他们就可以随心所欲地继续不卫生的行为，放纵扭曲的食欲。如果上帝施行奇事恢复他们的健康，那就等于鼓励他们犯罪了。{MH 227.3}
§16
Many persons bring disease upon themselves by their self-indulgence. They have not lived in accordance with natural law or the principles of strict purity. Others have disregarded the laws of health in their habits of eating and drinking, dressing, or working. Often some form of vice is the cause of feebleness of mind or body. Should these persons gain the blessing of health, many of them would continue to pursue the same course of heedless transgression of Gods natural and spiritual laws, reasoning that if God heals them in answer to prayer, they are at liberty to continue their unhealthful practices and to indulge perverted appetite without restraint. If God were to work a miracle in restoring these persons to health, He would be encouraging sin. {MH 227.3}[7]
§17
教导人仰望上帝医治他们的疾病，却不指教他们放弃不卫生的习惯，那是枉费精力。要获得上帝应允祈祷的福气，他们必须停止作恶，学习行善。他们的环境必须卫生，生活习惯必须纠正。他们的生活必须符合上帝的自然律和道德律。{MH 227.4}
§18
It is labor lost to teach people to look to God as a healer of their infirmities, unless they are taught also to lay aside unhealthful practices. In order to receive His blessing in answer to prayer, they must cease to do evil and learn to do well. Their surroundings must be sanitary, their habits of life correct. They must live in harmony with the law of God, both natural and spiritual. {MH 227.4}[8]
§19
认罪要告诉那些希望为恢复健康而代祷的人，违犯上帝的自然律或道德律都是罪。要获得上帝祝福，就必须先承认和放弃罪恶。{MH 228.1}
§20
【Confession of Sin】
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To those who desire prayer for their restoration to health, it should be made plain that the violation of Gods law, either natural or spiritual, is sin, and that in order for them to receive His blessing, sin must be confessed and forsaken. {MH 228.1}[9]
§22
圣经吩咐我们说：“你们要彼此认罪，互相代求，使你们可以得医治”（雅5:16）。要对希望我们代祷的人这样说：“我们看不透你的心，不知道你生活中的秘密。这些只有你自己和上帝知道。你既为你的罪懊悔，就有责任承认这些罪。” 私下所犯的罪，要向人与上帝之间唯一的中保基督承认。因为“若有人犯罪，在父那里我们有一位中保，就是那义者耶稣基督”（约壹2:1）。每一样罪都是得罪上帝的，所以要藉着基督向上帝承认。公开犯的罪要公开承认。若是亏负了同胞，就要向所得罪的人认罪。寻求健康的人若说过坏话，在家中，邻里和教会内挑拔离间，制造纷争，或是做错了什么事使别人陷在罪中，他们就应在上帝和被得罪了的人面前认罪。“我们若认自己的罪，上帝是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义”（约壹1:9）。{MH 228.2}
§23
The Scripture bids us, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. James 5:16. To the one asking for prayer, let thoughts like these be presented: We cannot read the heart, or know the secrets of your life. These are known only to yourself and to God. If you repent of your sins, it is your duty to make confession of them. Sin of a private character is to be confessed to Christ, the only mediator between God and man. For if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1. Every sin is an offense against God and is to be confessed to Him through Christ. Every open sin should be as openly confessed. Wrong done to a fellow being should be made right with the one who has been offended. If any who are seeking health have been guilty of evilspeaking, if they have sowed discord in the home, the neighborhood, or the church, and have stirred up alienation and dissension, if by any wrong practice they have led others into sin, these things should be confessed before God and before those who have been offended. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9. {MH 228.2}[10]
§24
错误得到纠正以后，我们就可以照着圣灵的指示，本着镇静的信心，向主说明病人的需要。祂知道每一个人的姓名，又看顾每一个人，好像祂单单为了那个人才赐下了祂的爱子。上帝的爱伟大而永恒，所以要励病人信靠祂，并保持乐观。为自己担忧会使人衰弱患病。如果病人能摆脱忧郁和沮丧，康复的希望就更大，因为“耶和华的眼目看顾敬畏祂的人，和仰望祂慈爱的人”（诗33:18）。{MH 229.1}
§25
When wrongs have been righted, we may present the needs of the sick to the Lord in calm faith, as His Spirit may indicate. He knows each individual by name, and cares for each as if there were not another upon the earth for whom He gave His beloved Son. Because Gods love is so great and so unfailing, the sick should be encouraged to trust in Him and be cheerful. To be anxious about themselves tends to cause weakness and disease. If they will rise above depression and gloom, their prospect of recovery will be better; for the eye of the Lord is upon them that hope in His mercy. Psalm 33:18. {MH 229.1}[11]
§26
为病人祈祷的时候，要记主“我们本不晓得当怎样祷告”（罗8:26）。我们不知道所求的福是否最有益处。所以我们的祷告应有这样的意思：“主啊，祢知道人心中的一切秘密。祢也认识这些人。他们的中保耶稣曾为他们舍命。祂对他们的爱比我们更大，因此，如果能荣耀祢并使这些病人得益处，我们奉耶稣的名求祢使他们恢复健康。如果他们的康复不符合祢的旨意，我们也求祢施恩安慰他们，与他们同在，在他们受苦时扶持他们。” {MH 229.2}
§27
In prayer for the sick it should be remembered that we know not what we should pray for as we ought. Romans 8:26. We do not know whether the blessing we desire will be best or not. Therefore our prayers should include this thought: Lord, thou knowest every secret of the soul. Thou art acquainted with these persons. Jesus, their Advocate, gave His life for them. His love for them is greater than ours can possibly be. If, therefore, it is for Thy glory and the good of the afflicted ones, we ask, in the name of Jesus, that they may be restored to health. If it be not Thy will that they may be restored, we ask that Thy grace may comfort and Thy presence sustain them in their sufferings. {MH 229.2}[12]
§28
上帝从起初就知道末后。祂洞悉每一个人的心，看透人心中的一切秘密。他知道我们所代求的人如果活下来，能不能经受住将要临到他们的考验，也知道他们活着对他们自己和世界究竟是祸是福。因此我们在恳求的时候应该说：“然而不要成就我的意思，只要成就祢的意思”（路22:42）。耶稣在客西马尼园祷告说：“我父啊，倘若可行，求祢叫这杯离开我”（太26:39）的时候，加上了这一句顺从上帝的智慧和旨意的话。上帝的儿子尚且可以这样说，更何况我们有限而常犯错误的人呢？{MH 230.1}
§29
God knows the end from the beginning. He is acquainted with the hearts of all men. He reads every secret of the soul. He knows whether those for whom prayer is offered would or would not be able to endure the trials that would come upon them should they live. He knows whether their lives would be a blessing or a curse to themselves and to the world. This is one reason why, while presenting our petitions with earnestness, we should say, Nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done. Luke 22:42. Jesus added these words of submission to the wisdom and will of God when in the Garden of Gethsemane He pleaded, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me. Matthew 26:39. And if they were appropriate for Him, the Son of God, how much more are they becoming on the lips of finite, erring mortals! {MH 230.1}[13]
§30
正确的做法就是把我们的愿望告诉无限智慧的天父，然后完全信靠祂，把一切都交托祂。如果我们按照上帝的旨意祈求，我们就知道祂必垂听。然而以不顺服的态度强求是不对的。我们的祈祷必须采取恳求的方式，而不是命令的方式。{MH 230.2}
§31
The consistent course is to commit our desires to our all-wise heavenly Father, and then, in perfect confidence, trust all to Him. We know that God hears us if we ask according to His will. But to press our petitions without a submissive spirit is not right; our prayers must take the form, not of command, but of intercession. {MH 230.2}[14]
§32
有时上帝很明显地施展神能使人恢复健康。但是并非每一个病人都获得医治。许多人在耶稣里安睡了。拔摩岛上的约翰曾奉命写道：“从今以后，在主里面而死的人有福了；圣灵说，是的，他们息了自己的劳苦，作工的果效也随着他们”（启14:13）。由此可见，如果人没有康复痊愈，也不要据此认为他缺少信心。{MH 230.3}
§33
There are cases where God works decidedly by His divine power in the restoration of health. But not all the sick are healed. Many are laid away to sleep in Jesus. John on the Isle of Patmos was bidden to write: Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. Revelation 14:13. From this we see that if persons are not raised to health, they should not on this account be judged as wanting in faith. {MH 230.3}[15]
§34
我们都希望自己的祈祷能得到迅速而直接的应允，所以在遇到应允迟延或不依着我们的意思成就时，就容易灰心失望。然而智慧慈爱的上帝不一定要按照我们所希望的时间和方式回答我们的祈祷。祂为我们所成就的，要比我们所求的更多更好。我们既信靠祂的智慧和慈爱，就不要勉强祂依顺我们的意思，而要设法遵行和成就祂的旨意。我们要让自己的愿望和情趣消失在祂的旨意中。这种考验我们信心的经历，是对我们有益处的，可以证明我们的信心是否真诚，是单单信靠上帝的话呢，还是随着环境而变化？信心是通过操练而增强的。我们必须发挥忍耐的全部作用，牢记圣经中对耐心等候上帝旨意之人的宝贵应许。{MH 230.4}
§35
We all desire immediate and direct answers to our prayers, and are tempted to become discouraged when the answer is delayed or comes in an unlooked-for form. But God is too wise and good to answer our prayers always at just the time and in just the manner we desire. He will do more and better for us than to accomplish all our wishes. And because we can trust His wisdom and love, we should not ask Him to concede to our will, but should seek to enter into and accomplish His purpose. Our desires and interests should be lost in His will. These experiences that test faith are for our benefit. By them it is made manifest whether our faith is true and sincere, resting on the word of God alone, or whether depending on circumstances, it is uncertain and changeable. Faith is strengthened by exercise. We must let patience have its perfect work, remembering that there are precious promises in the Scriptures for those who wait upon the Lord. {MH 230.4}[16]
§36
这些原则不是人人都明白的。许多求上帝医治之恩的人，以为祷告必须迅速直接得到应允，否则就是他们的信心不够。因此患病软弱的人需要聪明的劝导，使他们能审慎行事。他们不应忽略对尚存于世之朋友的责任，也不可忽略用自然的方法来恢复健康。{MH 231.1}
§37
Not all understand these principles. Many who seek the Lords healing mercy think that they must have a direct and immediate answer to their prayers or their faith is defective. For this reason, those who are weakened by disease need to be counseled wisely, that they may act with discretion. They should not disregard their duty to the friends who may survive them, or neglect to employ natures agencies for the restoration of health. {MH 231.1}[17]
§38
人在这方面也常有错误。有人因相信上帝会应允祷告医好他们，就不敢做什么似乎是表显出缺少信心的事。然而他们不可忽略安排身后之事，如同即将辞世的人所应当作的，也不要害怕对亲人说诀别之时所要说的勉励和忠告的话。{MH 231.2}
§39
Often there is danger of error here. Believing that they will be healed in answer to prayer, some fear to do anything that might seem to indicate a lack of faith. But they should not neglect to set their affairs in order as they would desire to do if they expected to be removed by death. Nor should they fear to utter words of encouragement or counsel which at the parting hour they wish to speak to their loved ones. {MH 231.2}[18]
§40
祷告求医的人不要忽略利用他们力所能及的疗法。使用上帝提供减轻痛苦和帮助自然复原的方法，并不是对信心的否定。我们与上帝合作，使自己处在最有利于康复的状态中，这也不是否定信心。上帝使我们获得了生命定律的知识。这种知识是我们可以运用的。我们应当千方百计利用一切有利条件，配合自然的定律来恢复健康。我们既然祈求使病人康复，就应更加努力，感谢上帝使我们有特权与祂合作，并要求祂祝福祂所提供的方法。{MH 231.3}
§41
Those who seek healing by prayer should not neglect to make use of the remedial agencies within their reach. It is not a denial of faith to use such remedies as God has provided to alleviate pain and to aid nature in her work of restoration. It is no denial of faith to co-operate with God, and to place themselves in the condition most favorable to recovery. God has put it in our power to obtain a knowledge of the laws of life. This knowledge has been placed within our reach for use. We should employ every facility for the restoration of health, taking every advantage possible, working in harmony with natural laws. When we have prayed for the recovery of the sick, we can work with all the more energy, thanking God that we have the privilege of co-operating with Him, and asking His blessing on the means which He Himself has provided. {MH 231.3}[19]
§42
圣经准许我们使用治疗的方法。以色列王希西家生了病时，一位上帝的先知去告诉他要死的消息。他就向主呼求。主便垂听了祂的仆人，传信息给他，加他十五年的寿数。上帝完全可以用一句话立刻医好希西家，但祂却特别指示：“当取一块无花果饼来，贴在疮上，王必痊愈”（赛38:21）。{MH 232.1}
§43
We have the sanction of the word of God for the use of remedial agencies. Hezekiah, king of Israel, was sick, and a prophet of God brought him the message that he should die. He cried unto the Lord, and the Lord heard His servant and sent him a message that fifteen years should be added to his life. Now, one word from God would have healed Hezekiah instantly; but special directions were given, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaster upon the boil, and he shall recover. Isaiah 38:21. {MH 232.1}[20]
§44
有一次基督把泥涂在一个盲人的眼睛上，对他说：“你往西罗亚池子里去洗，……他去一洗，回头就看见了”（约9:7）。基督很可以单用自己大医师的能力把这人治好，然而祂利用简单的自然物为辅助。祂虽然没有赞同药物的治疗，但是祂许可使用简单和自然的治疗法。{MH 233.1}
§45
On one occasion Christ anointed the eyes of a blind man with clay and bade him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam. . . . He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. John 9:7. The cure could be wrought only by the power of the Great Healer, yet Christ made use of the simple agencies of nature. While He did not give countenance to drug medication, He sanctioned the use of simple and natural remedies. {MH 233.1}[21]
§46
我们为病人的康复祷告，不论结果如何，都不要丧失信靠上帝的心。即使我们面对丧亡之痛，也要接受这苦杯，记住那是天父的手放在我们嘴边的。如果病人痊愈了，领受医治恩典的人切不可忘记自己对创造主有了新的责任。十个麻疯病人得到洁净，只有一个回来找耶稣归荣耀给祂。我们绝不可像其余忘恩的九个，心中不为上帝的恩典所感动。“各样美善的恩赐，和各样全备的赏赐，都是从上头来的；从众光之父那里降下来的；在祂并没有改变，也没有转动的影儿”（雅1:17）。{MH 233.2}
§47
When we have prayed for the recovery of the sick, whatever the outcome of the case, let us not lose faith in God. If we are called upon to meet bereavement, let us accept the bitter cup, remembering that a Fathers hand holds it to our lips. But should health be restored, it should not be forgotten that the recipient of healing mercy is placed under renewed obligation to the Creator. When the ten lepers were cleansed, only one returned to find Jesus and give Him glory. Let none of us be like the unthinking nine, whose hearts were untouched by the mercy of God. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17. {MH 233.2}[22]