第10章 祷告的理由
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第10章 祷告的理由
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Chap. 10—Reasons to Pray
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启迪人心何为真理——我们为何不从主更多地领受呢？祂是亮光与能力之源。我们期望得太少。难道上帝不爱人了吗？难道这种爱不向人间涌流了吗？难道祂不想为祂子民的益处彰显祂自己的强大了吗？基督会使我们在斗争中得胜。谁能怀疑这一点呢？因为我们知道祂撇下了自己的王袍和王冠，以人性的衣袍来到这个世界，以便作人的替身和中保。{Pr 90.1}[1]
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Enlightens the Mind Regarding What Is Truth—Why is it that we do not receive more from Him who is the source of light and power? We expect too little. Has God lost His love for man? Is not this love still flowing earthward? Has He lost His desire to show Himself strong in behalf of His people? Christ will give us victory in the conflict. Who can doubt this when we know that He laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown, and came to this world in the garb of humanity, that He might stand as man’s substitute and surety?{Pr 90.1}[1]
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我们对祷告的能力和功效没有予以应有重视。“况且我们的软弱有圣灵帮助，我们本不晓得当怎样祷告，只是圣灵亲自用说不出来的叹息替我们祷告”（罗8:26）。上帝希望我们在祷告中来到祂面前，祂好光照我们的心思。惟有祂能使人对真理有清楚的了解。惟有祂能软化和折服人心。祂能使人悟性敏锐以分辨真理与谬论。祂能使摇摆的心意坚定，使之对要经受的考验有认识有信心。那么就祷告吧，不住地祷告。垂听但以理祷告的主，也必垂听你的祷告，只要你愿意象但以理那样接近祂。(RH.1904.3.24){Pr 90.2}[2]
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We do not value as we should the power and efficacy of prayer. “The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which can not be uttered.” God desires us to come to Him in prayer, that He may enlighten our minds. He alone can give clear conceptions of truth. He alone can soften and subdue the heart. He can quicken the understanding to discern truth from error. He can establish the wavering mind, and give it a knowledge and a faith that will endure the test. Pray then; pray without ceasing. The Lord who heard Daniel’s prayer, will hear yours if you will approach Him as Daniel did.—(The Review and Herald, March 24, 1904.){Pr 90.2}[2]
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使我们认识天父——我们是否对上帝有了应有的认识？如果我们天天学习祂要我们学的教训，该有多大的安慰和喜乐啊！我们必须通过个人经验去认识祂。多花时间个人祷告亲自与我们的天父交往，这对我们是大有好处的。（MM 102）{Pr 91.1}[3]
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Acquaints Us With the Father—Oh, do we know God as we should? What comfort, what joy, we should have if we were to learn daily the lessons He desires us to learn! We must know Him by an experimental knowledge. It will be profitable for us to spend more time in secret prayer, in becoming personally acquainted with our heavenly Father.—(Medical Ministry, 102.){Pr 91.1}[3]
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把我们彼此间和与上帝联系起来——祈祷会把我们彼此之间联系起来，把我们与上帝联系起来。祈祷会把耶稣带到我们身边，使困惑软弱的人重新得到力量，去战胜世界、肉体和魔鬼。祈祷能够击退撒但的进攻。（COL 250）{Pr 91.2}[4]
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Unites Us With Each Other and With God—Prayer unites us with one another and with God. Prayer brings Jesus to our side, and gives to the fainting, perplexed soul new strength to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. Prayer turns aside the attacks of Satan.—(Christ’s Object Lessons, 250.){Pr 91.2}[4]
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能使我们抵挡试探——上帝的儿女们为什么不愿意祈祷呢？祷告是信心手中的钥匙，可以开启天国的宝藏，其中有全能上帝丰盛的财富。如果我们不常常祈求，时时儆醒，就有冷淡退后和迷失正路的危险。仇敌不断设法阻塞通往施恩座的道路，使我们不能藉着虔诚的恳求和信心得到抵挡试探的恩典和能力。（SC 94, 95.){Pr 91.3}[5]
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Enables Us to Resist Temptation—Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence? Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path. The adversary seeks continually to obstruct the way to the mercy seat, that we may not by earnest supplication and faith obtain grace and power to resist temptation.—(Steps to Christ, 94, 95.){Pr 91.3}[5]
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基督是我们唯一的希望。祂为世人舍了自己的性命，我们当奉祂的名来到上帝面前。依赖祂牺牲的功效。表明祂的爱、祂的喜乐在你的心灵中，因此你才喜乐满足了。要停止谈论不信。在上帝里就是我们的力量。要多多祈祷。祈祷是灵魂的生命。出于信心的祈祷是我们可以藉以成功抵挡仇敌每一次攻击的武器。（1SM 88）{Pr 91.4}[6]
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Christ is our only hope. Come to God in the name of Him who gave His life for the life of the world. Rely upon the efficacy of His sacrifice. Show that His love, His joy, is in your soul, and that because of this, your joy is full. In God is our strength. Pray much. Prayer is the life of the soul. The prayer of faith is the weapon by which we may successfully resist every assault of the enemy.—(Selected Messages 1:88.){Pr 91.4}[6]
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预备我们成为天上教会的成员——对于谦卑有信心的人而言，上帝在地上的殿就是天国的门。颂赞的诗歌，祈祷，及基督的代表人所发的言论，都是上帝所指定的媒介，为要预备一班人进天上的教会，作更高尚的崇拜，凡是不洁净的都不得进去。（5T 491）{Pr 91.5}[7]
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Prepares Us for Membership in the Church Above—To the humble, believing soul, the house of God on earth is the gate of heaven. The song of praise, the prayer, the words spoken by Christ’s representatives, are God’s appointed agencies to prepare a people for the church above, for that loftier worship into which there can enter nothing that defileth.—(Testimonies for the Church 5:491.){Pr 91.5}[7]
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加强我们的信念——我们的信念需要每天藉着谦卑诚恳的祷告和读经予以加强。尽管我们每人都有自己的个性，尽管我们都当坚定地持守我们的信念，但我们必须把这些信念持守为上帝的真理，并靠上帝所赐的力量来持守之。如果我们不这样做，它们就会从我们的手中被夺去。（6T 401.){Pr 92.1}[8]
§18
Reinforces Our Convictions—Our convictions need daily to be reinforced by humble, sincere prayer and reading of the word. While we each have an individuality, while we each should hold our convictions firmly, we must hold them as God’s truth and in the strength which God imparts. If we do not, they will be wrung from our grasp.—(Testimonies for the Church 6:401.){Pr 92.1}[8]
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供应现实的需要——圣经的每一项应许都为我们提供了祈祷的题材，并且提出耶和华的诺言作为我们的保证。不论我们需要什么属灵福惠，我们都有权利藉着耶稣而向父祈求。我们可以怀着孩子般的天真，向主述说我们的确实需要。我们可以把自己现实生活中的事告诉祂，向祂求肉体所需要的食物和衣服，也向祂求生命之粮和基督的义袍。你们的天父知道你们需要这一切。祂邀请你为这些东西向祂祈求。每一样恩惠都是藉着耶稣的名而获得的。上帝必尊重这名，并要以祂的慷慨之心满足你的各种需要。（MB 133）{Pr 92.2}[9]
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Supplies Temporal Necessities—Every promise in the word of God furnishes us with subject matter for prayer, presenting the pledged word of Jehovah as our assurance. Whatever spiritual blessing we need, it is our privilege to claim through Jesus. We may tell the Lord, with the simplicity of a child, exactly what we need. We may state to Him our temporal matters, asking Him for bread and raiment as well as for the bread of life and the robe of Christ’s righteousness. Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things, and you are invited to ask Him concerning them. It is through the name of Jesus that every favor is received. God will honor that name, and will supply your necessities from the riches of His liberality.—(Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 133.){Pr 92.2}[9]
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每一个人都有向主陈述自身的特别需求，并对日常所受福惠表示感激的特权。 (9T.278, 279.){Pr 92.3}[10]
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Every soul has the privilege of stating to the Lord his own special necessities and to offer his individual thanksgiving for the blessings that he daily receives.—(Testimonies for the Church 9:278, 279.){Pr 92.3}[10]
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不是向上帝提供新的信息——人们对祈祷缺乏应有的认识。我们的祷告不是向上帝报告祂所不知道的事。主熟知每一个人的秘密。我们的祷告不必冗长而高声。上帝洞察人最隐秘的思想。我们在暗处祷告，那位在暗中观察的主必垂听，并在明处回应我们。（MYP 247）{Pr 92.4}[11]
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Does Not Provide New Information to God—Prayer is not understood as it should be. Our prayers are not to inform God of something He does not know. The Lord is acquainted with the secrets of every soul. Our prayers need not be long and loud. God reads the hidden thoughts. We may pray in secret, and He who sees in secret will hear, and will reward us openly.—(Messages to Young People, 247.){Pr 92.4}[11]
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每天供应新的恩典——那些在五旬节从天上得着能力的人，并没有就此永远脱离试探和考验。当他们为真理和正义作见证时，曾屡次遭遇敌对真理之人的攻击。这些仇敌想要破坏他们的基督徒经验，所以他们不得不努力奋斗，以求长大成人，满有基督长成的身量。他们每天祷告，求主赐下新的恩典，好叫他们朝向完美的境地而日臻上乘。在圣灵的感化之下，连最软弱的人也能操练自己对于上帝的信心，并学习发展上帝所赋予的才能，使他们成为圣洁、纯善和高尚的人。当他们以谦虚的心顺服圣灵的潜移默化时，他们就接受了上帝本性一切的丰盛，渐渐变成上帝的形状。（AA 49, 50.)?{Pr 92.5}[12]
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Daily Supplies of Grace Given—Those who at Pentecost were endued with power from on high, were not thereby freed from further temptation and trial. As they witnessed for truth and righteousness they were repeatedly assailed by the enemy of all truth, who?sought to rob them of their Christian experience. They were compelled to strive with all their God-given powers to reach the measure of the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. Daily they prayed for fresh supplies of grace, that they might reach higher and still higher toward perfection. Under the Holy Spirit’s working even the weakest, by exercising faith in God, learned to improve their entrusted powers and to become sanctified, refined, and ennobled. As in humility they submitted to the molding influence of the Holy Spirit, they received of the fullness of the Godhead and were fashioned in the likeness of the divine.—(The Acts of the Apostles, 49, 50.)?{Pr 92.5}[12]
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提供智慧——我们必须从上头寻求智慧，使我们能在这个谬道和欺骗流行的时代站立得住。（EW 87, 88.){Pr 93.1}[13]
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Wisdom Supplied—We must seek wisdom from on high that we may stand in this day of error and delusion.—(Early Writings, 87, 88.){Pr 93.1}[13]
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要极其诚恳地祈祷，以求明白我们所处时代的意义，更加充分了解祂的旨意，并在救灵的事工上取得更大的成效。（2SM 399）{Pr 93.2}[14]
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Pray most earnestly for an understanding of the times in which we live, for a fuller conception of His purpose, and for increased efficiency in soulsaving.—(Selected Messages 2:399.){Pr 93.2}[14]
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赐予圣灵的洗——上帝忠心的使者正在设法按所指定的方法推进主的工作。他们要与那位大教师密切联络，每日受教于上帝。他们要在恳切的祷告中与上帝较力，祈求受圣灵的洗，以便满足在罪中将亡之世界的需要。所有的能力都应许要赐给那些本着信心宣扬永远福音的人。当上帝的仆人把刚刚来自荣耀宝座的活信息传给世界时，真理的亮光就会象点着的明灯一样照耀出来，照到世界各地。错谬与不信的黑暗就这样从各地心里诚实之人的思想中驱逐。他们正在寻求上帝，“或者可以揣摩而得”（徒17:27）。（TM 459， 460.){Pr 93.3}[15]
§32
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit Given—God’s faithful messengers are to seek to carry forward the Lord’s work in His appointed way. They are to place themselves in close connection with the Great Teacher, that they may be daily taught of God. They are to wrestle with God in earnest prayer for a baptism of the Holy Spirit that they may meet the needs of a world perishing in sin. All power is promised those who go forth in faith to proclaim the everlasting gospel. As the servants of God bear to the world a living message fresh from the throne of glory, the light of truth will shine forth as a lamp that burneth, reaching to all parts of the world. Thus the darkness of error and unbelief will be dispelled from the minds of the honest in heart in all lands, who are now seeking after God, “If haply they might feel after Him, and find Him.”—(Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 459, 460.){Pr 93.3}[15]
§33
供应今日的需要——上帝的真理被接到心里，就能使你有得救的智慧。你若信而从之，就可得到恩典，足够应付当天的责任与磨练。明天的恩典，你在今天是不需要的。你应觉得，所该作的只是今天的事而己。为今天过得胜的生活，为今天而克己，为今天而儆醒祈求，为今天而在上帝里得胜。（3T. 333.)?{Pr 93.4}[16]
§34
Today’s Needs Provided For—The truth of God received into the heart is able to make you wise unto salvation. In believing?and obeying it you will receive grace sufficient for the duties and trials of today. Grace for tomorrow you do not need. You should feel that you have only to do with today. Overcome for today; deny self for today; watch and pray for today; obtain victories in God for today.—(Testimonies for the Church 3:333.)?{Pr 93.4}[16]
§35
关怀上帝圣工的需要——圣工的各种权益为我们提供了深思的材料和祷告的灵感。 (4T.459.){Pr 94.1}[17]
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The Needs of God’s Work Cared For—The varied interests of the cause furnish us with food for reflection and inspiration for our prayers.—(Testimonies for the Church 4:459.){Pr 94.1}[17]
§37
蒙应允的祷告使人发出赞美与感谢——在《撒母耳记上》第2章中，记载着一位侍奉和荣耀了上帝的献身妇人的祷告。她祷告说：“我的心因耶和华快乐；我的角因耶和华高举。我的口向仇敌张开；我因耶和华的救恩欢欣。只有耶和华为圣；除祂以外没有可比的，也没有磐石象我们的上帝。”哈拿因自己的祷告蒙应允而献上的感谢，对于今日那些其要求蒙应允的人，乃是一个教训。我们有没有疏忽，以致没有因上帝的慈爱而向祂报以赞美和感谢呢？{Pr 94.2}[18]
§38
Answered Prayers Are Cause for Praise and Thanksgiving—In the second chapter of 1 Samuel is recorded the prayer of a consecrated woman who served and glorified God. She prayed: “My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.” Hannah’s offering of thanksgiving for the answer to her prayer is a lesson to those who today receive answers to their requests. Do we not neglect to return praise and thanksgiving to God for His lovingkindness?{Pr 94.2}[18]
§39
大卫说：“我爱耶和华，因为祂听了我的声音和我的恳求。祂既向我侧耳，我一生要求告祂”（诗116:1-2）。上帝仁慈地倾听和回答我们的祷告，使我们负起了重大的责任，为赐给我们的恩惠表示感谢。我们应当更多地赞美上帝。要立时承认因祈祷得蒙垂听而获得的福惠。我们应该把它们记在日记里，以便我们拿起日记本，就可想起主的良善，并且赞美祂的圣名。(RH. 1908.5.7){Pr 94.3}[19]
§40
David declares, “I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.” God’s goodness in hearing and answering prayer places us under heavy obligation to express our thanksgiving for the favors bestowed upon us. We should praise God much more than we do. The blessings received in answer to prayer should be promptly acknowledged. The record of them should be placed in our diary, that when we take the book in hand, we may remember the goodness of the Lord, and praise His holy name.—(The Review and Herald, May 7, 1908.){Pr 94.3}[19]
§41
我们的品格能够发生变化——但我们所需要的是内心的改变。只有藉着亲自寻求上帝的赐福，祈求祂的能力，热诚恳求祂的恩典临到我们身上，我们的品格才能发生变化。这种变化是我们今日所需要的。为了获得这种经验，就得操练坚忍的精神，表显由衷的真诚。我们应当诚心询问：“我当做什么事才可以得救？”我们应当知道自己正在朝向天国迈出的步伐。（1SM 187)?{Pr 94.4}[20]
§42
Our Characters May Be Transformed—The change we need is a change of heart, and can only be obtained by seeking God individually for His blessing, by pleading with Him for His power, by fervently praying that His grace may come upon us, and that our characters?may be transformed. This is the change we need today, and for the attainment of this experience we should exercise persevering energy and manifest heartfelt earnestness. We should ask with true sincerity, “What shall I do to be saved?” We should know just what steps we are taking heavenward.—(Selected Messages 1:187.)?{Pr 94.4}[20]
§43
我们对圣经的理解扩大了——人若忽略祷告，则没有一日一时是安全的。我们特别需要求上帝赐智慧，使我们明白祂的话。因为圣经已将试探者的奸计，以及抵挡他的有效方法都指明了。撒但是善于引用圣经的。他常加上自己的解释，希望藉此使他们跌倒。所以我们应当虚心研究圣经，永不可忘记自己是必须依赖上帝的。我们一方面必须时刻谨防撒但的诡计，一方面应当不住地作信心的祈祷说：“不叫我们遇见试探。”（GC 530）{Pr 95.1}[21]
§44
Our Understanding of God’s Word Expanded—No man is safe for a day or an hour without prayer. Especially should we entreat the Lord for wisdom to understand His word. Here are revealed the wiles of the tempter and the means by which he may be successfully resisted. Satan is an expert in quoting Scripture, placing his own interpretation upon passages, by which he hopes to cause us to stumble. We should study the Bible with humility of heart, never losing sight of our dependence upon God. While we must constantly guard against the devices of Satan, we should pray in faith continually: “Lead us not into temptation.”(The Great Controversy, 530.){Pr 95.1}[21]
§45
我们必须以祈祷的精神去研究圣经。只有圣灵能使我们体会到圣经中一些容易明白的教训是何等重要，并帮助我们不致曲解圣经中深奥难懂的真理。圣天使的职责乃是要预备我们的心去领会上帝的话，以致我们能欣赏其中的优美，领受其中的警告，并因其中的应许而得到鼓舞和力量。我们应当像诗人一样的祈祷说：“求祢开我的眼睛，使我看出祢律法中的奇妙”（诗119:18）。信徒之所以往往无力抵抗试探，乃是因为他们忽略了祷告和读经，以致在受试探时，不能立时记起上帝的应许，并以圣经的武器去应付撒但。但天使要在那些愿意领受上帝教训之人的周围，并要在最紧要的时候使他们想起所需要的真理。这样，当仇敌如同急流的河水冲来时，耶和华的灵必要把他驱逐出去（见赛59:19）。（GC 599, 600.){Pr 95.2}[22]
§46
The Bible should never be studied without prayer. The Holy Spirit alone can cause us to feel the importance of those things easy to be understood, or prevent us from wresting truths difficult of comprehension. It is the office of heavenly angels to prepare the heart so to comprehend God’s word that we shall be charmed with its beauty, admonished by its warnings, or animated and strengthened by its promises. We should make the psalmist’s petition our own: “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.”Psalm 119:18. Temptations often appear irresistible because, through neglect of prayer and the study of the Bible, the tempted one cannot readily remember God’s promises and meet Satan with the Scripture weapons. But angels are round about those who are willing to be taught in divine things; and in the time of great necessity they will bring to their remembrance the very truths which are needed. Thus “when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.”?Isaiah 59:19—(The Great Controversy, 599, 600.){Pr 95.2}[22]