第29章 祈祷的特权
§1
第29章 祈祷的特权
§2
Chap. 29—The Privilege of Prayer
§3
上帝藉着大自然，圣经的启示，天意的运作和圣灵的感化向我们说话。但这还是不够的。我们还需要向祂倾心吐意。为了获得属灵的生命和能力，我们必须与我们的天父产生实际的接触。我们的心可以倾向于祂，我们可以思考祂的作为，祂的慈悲和祂的恩赐，但是从最完整的意义上说，这还不能算是与上帝交通。为了达到与上帝交通的目的，我们必须向祂诉说我们实际生活中的事情。{Pr 280.1}[1]
§4
Through nature and revelation, through His providence, and by the influence of His Spirit, God speaks to us. But these are not enough; we need also to pour out our hearts to Him. In order to have spiritual life and energy, we must have actual intercourse with our heavenly Father. Our minds may be drawn out toward Him; we may meditate upon His works, His mercies, His blessings; but this is not, in the fullest sense, communing with Him. In order to commune with God, we must have something to say to Him concerning our actual life.{Pr 280.1}[1]
§5
祷告就如对一位朋友那样，向上帝敞开心怀。我们之所以祷告，不是为了让上帝知道我们的处境，而是使我们能接受祂。祷告不是把上帝带到我们身边，而是把我们自己引向上帝。{Pr 280.2}[2]
§6
Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.{Pr 280.2}[2]
§7
耶稣在世的时候，曾教导祂的门徒怎样祷告。祂要他们把自己的日常需要告诉上帝，把自己的一切忧虑交给祂。祂向他们保证，他们的恳求必蒙垂听。这个保证也是对我们说的。{Pr 280.3}[3]
§8
When Jesus was upon the earth, He taught His disciples how to pray. He directed them to present their daily needs before God, and to cast all their care upon Him. And the assurance He gave them that their petitions should be heard, is assurance also to us.{Pr 280.3}[3]
§9
耶稣住在人间的时候，也曾经常祈祷。我们的救主既然与我们有一样的需要和软弱，祂就成了一个恳求者。祂需要向祂的父寻求新能力的供应，以应付责任和试炼。祂在凡事上作我们的榜样。祂处身在我们的软弱中，作我们的长兄，“在凡事上受过试探，与我们一样”(来4:15)。但祂是无罪的。祂的本性是远离邪恶的。祂在罪恶的世界中忍受心灵的挣扎和折磨。祂的人性使祈求成为祂的必需和特权。祂在与父的交通中得到安慰和喜乐。人类的救主，上帝的儿子尚且感到需要祈祷，软弱有罪的人类岂不更当感到需要恳切不断地祷告吗??{Pr 280.4}[4]
§10
Jesus Himself, while He dwelt among men, was often in prayer. Our Saviour identified Himself with our needs and weakness, in that He became a suppliant, a petitioner, seeking from His Father?fresh supplies of strength, that He might come forth braced for duty and trial. He is our example in all things. He is a brother in our infirmities, “in all points tempted like as we are;” but as the sinless one His nature recoiled from evil; He endured struggles and torture of soul in a world of sin. His humanity made prayer a necessity and a privilege. He found comfort and joy in communion with His Father. And if the Saviour of men, the Son of God, felt the need of prayer, how much more should feeble, sinful mortals feel the necessity of fervent, constant prayer.?{Pr 280.4}[4]
§11
我们的天父随时准备把祂丰盛的福分赐给我们。我们有权利从无穷之爱的泉源中尽情取饮。我们祷告如此之少，真是希奇。上帝等着要听到祂最卑微之儿女的诚恳祈求。但我们却似乎不愿意将自己的需要陈告上帝。上帝以无穷的爱心关怀着他们，预备将超过他们所想所求的福分赐给他们，他们的祈祷竟如此少，信心竟如此软弱，众天使对于我们这些贫穷可怜，易受试探的人类会有何感想呢？众天使喜爱俯伏在上帝面前与祂亲近。他们把与上帝的交通作为最高的喜乐。然而非常需要唯有上帝才能给予之帮助的世人，却似乎不需要圣灵的光照，不需要祂的同在了。{Pr 281.1}[5]
§12
Our heavenly Father waits to bestow upon us the fullness of His blessing. It is our privilege to drink largely at the fountain of boundless love. What a wonder it is that we pray so little! God is ready and willing to hear the sincere prayer of the humblest of His children, and yet there is much manifest reluctance on our part to make known our wants to God. What can the angels of heaven think of poor helpless human beings, who are subject to temptation, when God’s heart of infinite love yearns toward them, ready to give them more than they can ask or think, and yet they pray so little and have so little faith? The angels love to bow before God; they love to be near Him. They regard communion with God as their highest joy; and yet the children of earth, who need so much the help that God only can give, seem satisfied to walk without the light of His Spirit, the companionship of His presence.{Pr 281.1}[5]
§13
恶者的黑暗笼罩着忽略祷告的人。仇敌耳语式的试探引诱他们犯罪。这都是因为他们没有运用上帝所定意赐给他们的祈祷特权。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。{Pr 281.2}[6]
§14
The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer. 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.{Pr 281.2}[6]
§15
上帝垂听应许我们的祈祷，是有一定条件的。首先我们必须感到需要祂的帮助。祂应许说：“我要将水浇灌口渴的人，将河浇灌干旱之地”(赛44:3)。饥渴幕义寻求上帝的人必得满足。我们的心必须向圣灵的感化敞开，否则就不能领受上帝的福分。{Pr 282.1}[7]
§16
There are certain conditions upon which we may expect that God will hear and answer our prayers. One of the first of these is that we feel our need of help from Him. He has promised, “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.”?Isaiah 44:3. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, who long after God, may be sure that they will be filled. The heart must be open to the Spirit’s influence, or God’s blessing cannot be received.{Pr 282.1}[7]
§17
我们的巨大需要，本身就是我们祈祷最有力的理由。但我们必须祈求主在这些事上帮助我们。祂说：“你们祈求，就给你们。”“上帝既不爱惜自己的儿子为我们众人舍了，岂不也把万物和祂一同白白的赐给我们吗”(太7:7；罗8:32)？ {Pr 282.2}[8]
§18
Our great need is itself an argument and pleads most eloquently in our behalf. But the Lord is to be sought unto to do these things for us. He says, “Ask, and it shall be given you.” And “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”?Matthew 7:7;?Romans 8:32.{Pr 282.2}[8]
§19
我们心中若注重罪孽，依恋已知的罪孽，主就不会垂听我们。但出于痛悔之心的祈求必蒙悦纳。我们如果纠正一切已知的错误，就可以确信上帝必应允我们的祈求。我们自己的善行永不能拯救我们。唯有耶稣的功劳能拯救我们，祂的宝血能洁净我们。然而我们自己仍然有事要做。那就是满足蒙悦纳的条件。{Pr 282.3}[9]
§20
If we regard iniquity in our hearts, if we cling to any known sin, the Lord will not hear us; but the prayer of the penitent, contrite soul is always accepted. When all known wrongs are righted, we may believe that God will answer our petitions. Our own merit will never commend us to the favor of God; it is the worthiness of Jesus that will save us, His blood that will cleanse us; yet we have a work to do in complying with the conditions of acceptance.{Pr 282.3}[9]
§21
使祈祷生效的另一个条件是信心。“因为到上帝面前来的人．必须信有上帝，且信祂赏赐那寻求祂的人”(来11:6)。耶稣对祂的门徒说：“凡你们祷告祈求的，无论是什么，只要信是得着的，就必得着”(可1l:24)。我们相信祂的话吗？{Pr 282.4}[10]
§22
Another element of prevailing prayer is faith. “He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”?Hebrews 11:6. Jesus said to His disciples, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”?Mark 11:24. Do we take Him at His word?{Pr 282.4}[10]
§23
主的保证是宽广无边的。祂信守自己的承诺。如果我们没有立时得到所求的，仍要相信主已垂听，并必应许我们的祈求。我们眼光短浅．常有错误，有时所求的未必都能造福于我们。我们的天父本着爱心，将最符合我们利益的东西赐给我们。如果我们的眼光得到上帝真光的启发，看到事物的真相，就会发现祂所给我们的，正是我们所需要的。我们在祷告似乎没有回音的时候，仍要坚信主的应许。因为时候一到，上帝必将我们最需要的福分赐给我们。但如果我们要上帝完全按照我们所求的给我们，那就是妄想了。上帝太智慧，不会出任何差错。祂太善良，决不会向行义的人偏留任何好东西。所以你们可以大胆地信靠祂。即使你没有看到自己的祷告立时得到应允，也当相信祂可靠的应许：“你们祈求，就给你们”(太7:7)。?{Pr 282.5}[11]
§24
The assurance is broad and unlimited, and He is faithful who has promised. When we do not receive the very things we asked for, at the time we ask, we are still to believe that the Lord hears and that He will answer our prayers. We are so erring and shortsighted that we sometimes ask for things that would not be a blessing to us, and our heavenly Father in love answers our prayers by giving us that which will be for our highest good—that which we ourselves would desire if with vision divinely enlightened we could?see all things as they really are. When our prayers seem not to be answered, we are to cling to the promise; for the time of answering will surely come, and we shall receive the blessing we need most. But to claim that prayer will always be answered in the very way and for the particular thing that we desire, is presumption. God is too wise to err, and too good to withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly. Then do not fear to trust Him, even though you do not see the immediate answer to your prayers. Rely upon His sure promise, “Ask, and it shall be given you.”?{Pr 282.5}[11]
§25
如果我们缺乏信心，陷于疑惑恐惧之中，或者试图解决自己所未能看清的问题，就只能加深疑虑。但我们在感到自己软弱无奈的时候，如果能怀着信靠的心来到上帝面前，向无所不知的主阐明我们的需要，那位监察万有，按祂的旨意和真道治理万有的主，必乐意垂听我们的呼求，让真光照入我们的心。藉着诚恳的祈求，我们得以与无穷上帝的心联结在一起。我们或许不能即时看到救赎主以同情和爱心垂顾我们的显著凭据，但实情确是如此。我们可能感觉不到祂明显的抚摸，但祂的确怀着仁爱和慈悯，按手在我们身上。{Pr 283.1}[12]
§26
If we take counsel with our doubts and fears, or try to solve everything that we cannot see clearly, before we have faith, perplexities will only increase and deepen. But if we come to God, feeling helpless and dependent, as we really are, and in humble, trusting faith make known our wants to Him whose knowledge is infinite, who sees everything in creation, and who governs everything by His will and word, He can and will attend to our cry, and will let light shine into our hearts. Through sincere prayer we are brought into connection with the mind of the Infinite. We may have no remarkable evidence at the time that the face of our Redeemer is bending over us in compassion and love, but this is even so. We may not feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon us in love and pitying tenderness.{Pr 283.1}[12]
§27
当我们向上帝祈求怜悯和福分的时候，心中须怀有仁爱和饶恕人的精神。我们怎么能一边祷告“免我们的债。如同我们免了人的债”(太6:12)，一边又抱着不肯饶恕人的精神呢？如果我们希望自己的祷告得蒙垂听。我们要得到饶恕，就得以同样的态度，在同样的范围里饶恕别人。{Pr 283.2}[13]
§28
When we come to ask mercy and blessing from God we should have a spirit of love and forgiveness in our own hearts. How can we pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” and yet indulge an unforgiving spirit??Matthew 6:12. If we expect our own prayers to be heard we must forgive others in the same manner and to the same extent as we hope to be forgiven.{Pr 283.2}[13]
§29
恒心也是祷告蒙悦纳的一个条件。如果我们要在信心和经验中长进，就必须经常祷告。我们“祷告要恒切。”“要恒切祷告，在此警醒感恩”(罗12:12；西4:2)。彼得勉励信徒要“谨慎自守，警醒祷告”(彼前4:7)。保罗说：“凡事藉着祷告，祈求和感谢，将你们所要的告诉上帝”(腓4:6)。犹大说：“亲爱的弟兄呵，你们却要在圣灵里祷告，保守自己常在上帝的爱中”(犹20,21)。不住的祷告使我们的心灵与上帝保持坚不可摧的联系，让上帝的生命注入我们的生命，又让我们生命中的纯净和圣洁，回流到上帝那里。?{Pr 283.3}[14]
§30
Perseverance in prayer has been made a condition of receiving. We must pray always if we would grow in faith and experience. We are to be “instant in prayer,” to “continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.”?Romans 12:12;?Colossians 4:2. Peter exhorts believers to be “sober, and watch unto prayer.”?1 Peter 4:7. Paul directs, “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”?Philippians 4:6. “But ye, beloved,” says Jude, “praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God.”?Jude 20, 21. Unceasing prayer is the unbroken union of the soul with God, so that life from God flows into our life; and from our life, purity and holiness flow back to God.?{Pr 283.3}[14]
§31
祷告还须殷勤。不要让任何事阻拦你。要尽一切努力使自己的心灵与耶稣保持通畅的联络。要寻找一切机会来到你素来祷告的地方。凡真心寻求与上帝交通的人，必会出现在祷告的会中。他们忠心地履行自己的本分，热情而恳切地吸取他们所能得到的一切益处。他们要利用每一个机会把自己置身于能够接受天上光照的地方。{Pr 284.1}[15]
§32
There is necessity for diligence in prayer; let nothing hinder you. Make every effort to keep open the communion between Jesus and your own soul. Seek every opportunity to go where prayer is wont to be made. Those who are really seeking for communion with God will be seen in the prayer meeting, faithful to do their duty and earnest and anxious to reap all the benefits they can gain. They will improve every opportunity of placing themselves where they can receive the rays of light from heaven.{Pr 284.1}[15]
§33
我们要在家庭范围里祷告，但更不可疏忽私下的祷告，因为这是心灵的生命。我们如果忽略祷告，灵性就不可能活泼。单靠家庭或公众的祷告是不够的。我们要在幽静之处，向鉴察一切的上帝敞开心怀。密室里的祷告，只有听祷告的上帝听见。在那里没有好奇的耳朵来偷听。这种私下的祷告，可以摆脱环境的影响和刺激，安静而热切地达到上帝面前。上帝察看隐情，垂听人发自内心的祈祷，必对我们施以甜蜜而持久的感化力。我们心灵藉着安静而单纯的信，与上帝保持交通，接受上帝的光照，在与撤但的斗争中得到力量与支持。上帝是我们坚固的高台。{Pr 284.2}[16]
§34
We should pray in the family circle, and above all we must not neglect secret prayer, for this is the life of the soul. It is impossible for the soul to flourish while prayer is neglected. Family or public prayer alone is not sufficient. In solitude let the soul be laid open to the inspecting eye of God. Secret prayer is to be heard only by the prayer-hearing God. No curious ear is to receive the burden of such petitions. In secret prayer the soul is free from surrounding influences, free from excitement. Calmly, yet fervently, will it reach out after God. Sweet and abiding will be the influence emanating from Him who seeth in secret, whose ear is open to hear the prayer arising from the heart. By calm, simple faith the soul holds communion with God and gathers to itself rays of divine light to strengthen and sustain it in the conflict with Satan. God is our tower of strength.{Pr 284.2}[16]
§35
你要在密室里祷告。但你在日常工作时也要向上帝倾心吐意。以诺就是这样与上帝同行的。这种默默的祷告，犹如贵重的馨香，上升到施恩座前。凡如此与上帝保持交通的人，是不可能被撒但所胜的。{Pr 284.3}[17]
§36
Pray in your closet, and as you go about your daily labor let your heart be often uplifted to God. It was thus that Enoch walked with God. These silent prayers rise like precious incense before the throne of grace. Satan cannot overcome him whose heart is thus stayed upon God.{Pr 284.3}[17]
§37
没有什么时间或地点不适于我们向上帝献上祷告的，也没有什么事物能阻碍我们以虔诚的祷告精神向主倾吐自己的心意。在人群拥挤的街道上，在繁忙的业务中，我们仍可以向上帝祈求，恳求祂的引导，如同尼希米在亚达薛西王面前请求时所作的那样。我们到处可以找到与上帝交通的密室。我们要时常敞开心门，恳求耶稣作为天上的贵宾来住在我们心中。?{Pr 284.4}[18]
§38
There is no time or place in which it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to God. There is nothing that can prevent us from lifting up our hearts in the spirit of earnest prayer. In the crowds?of the street, in the midst of a business engagement, we may send up a petition to God and plead for divine guidance, as did Nehemiah when he made his request before King Artaxerxes. A closet of communion may be found wherever we are. We should have the door of the heart open continually and our invitation going up that Jesus may come and abide as a heavenly guest in the soul.?{Pr 284.4}[18]
§39
虽然我们的周围是污浊腐败的空气，但我们不必呼吸这种浊气，却可以生活在天国清新的空气之中。我们藉着虔诚的祷告把自己的心提到上帝面前，就能杜绝污秽意念和不洁思想的一切门路。凡敞开心门接受上帝扶助和福分的人，必行在比这地上更圣洁的气氛中，不断与上天交通。{Pr 285.1}[19]
§40
Although there may be a tainted, corrupted atmosphere around us, we need not breathe its miasma, but may live in the pure air of heaven. We may close every door to impure imaginings and unholy thoughts by lifting the soul into the presence of God through sincere prayer. Those whose hearts are open to receive the support and blessing of God will walk in a holier atmosphere than that of earth and will have constant communion with heaven.{Pr 285.1}[19]
§41
我们需要对耶稣有更清楚的认识，对永生的价值有更充分的理解。上帝儿女的心中应当充满圣洁的美。要达到这一点，我们须求上帝向我们启示属天的事。{Pr 285.2}[20]
§42
We need to have more distinct views of Jesus and a fuller comprehension of the value of eternal realities. The beauty of holiness is to fill the hearts of God’s children; and that this may be accomplished, we should seek for divine disclosures of heavenly things.{Pr 285.2}[20]
§43
我们的心向上仰望，上帝就会让我们呼吸天国的空气。我们这样与上帝亲近，在遇到任何意外试炼的时候，我们就会象花朵向阳那样，自然地倾心于上帝。{Pr 285.3}[21]
§44
Let the soul be drawn out and upward, that God may grant us a breath of the heavenly atmosphere. We may keep so near to God that in every unexpected trial our thoughts will turn to Him as naturally as the flower turns to the sun.{Pr 285.3}[21]
§45
要把你的需要，喜乐，忧伤，顾虑和恐惧摆在上帝面前。祂不会被你压倒累垮。连你们的头发祂也数过。祂决不会不关心祂儿女的需要。“主是满心怜悯．大有慈悲”(雅5:11)。祂的爱心被我们的忧伤和陈诉所触动。把郁积在心中的所有事情都交给祂吧!没有什么大事是祂承受不了的，因为祂托住诸世界，治理宇宙的一切事务。也没有什么与我们平安有关的事，在祂看来是微不足道的。在我们的历史中，没有一页是黑暗到祂不愿意阅读的，也没有什么烦恼是祂难以解开的。上帝最小的儿女所临到的每一患难，伤害心灵的每一忧虑，从他们口中发出的每一喜乐的欢呼和每一虔诚的祷告，都会引起我们天父的眷念和立时关注。“祂医好伤心的人，裹好他们的伤处”(诗147:3)。上帝与每一个人的关系．都十分明确而完整的，就象祂在地只关照那一个人，只把祂的爱子赐给他一个人一样。{Pr 285.4}[22]
§46
Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. “The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”?James 5:11. His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our?heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”?Psalm 147:3. The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.?{Pr 285.4}[22]
§47
耶稣说：“你们要奉我的名祈求；我并不对你们说，我要为你们求父。父自己爱你们。……是我拣选了你们，……使你们奉我的名，无论向父求什么，祂就赐给你们”(约16:26,27；15:16)。然而奉耶稣的名祈求，不只是在祷告的开始和结尾提到祂的名，而是要存着耶稣的心志和精神祈求，同时又要相信祂的应许，依靠祂的恩典，做祂所作的事情。{Pr 286.1}[23]
§48
Jesus said, “Ye shall ask in My name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you.”“I have chosen you: ... that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you.”?John 16:26, 27;?John 15:16. But to pray in the name of Jesus is something more than a mere mention of that name at the beginning and the ending of a prayer. It is to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus, while we believe His promises, rely upon His grace, and work His works.{Pr 286.1}[23]
§49
上帝并没有要我们为了献身侍奉祂而离群索居，成为隐士或僧侣。我们无论在深山或人群之中，都要象基督那样生活。只祷告而不作别事的人，他的祷告是不能持久的，或只能流于形式。人如果脱离社会生活，逃避基督徒的责任和十字架，不殷勤为那热心服务我们的主工作，他们的祷告就失去了题材和献身的动力，变得自私自利了。他们不会为人类的需要和基督之国的建立而祷告，也不会为工作的力量而祈求。{Pr 286.2}[24]
§50
God does not mean that any of us should become hermits or monks and retire from the world in order to devote ourselves to acts of worship. The life must be like Christ’s life—between the mountain and the multitude. He who does nothing but pray will soon cease to pray, or his prayers will become a formal routine. When men take themselves out of social life, away from the sphere of Christian duty and cross bearing; when they cease to work earnestly for the Master, who worked earnestly for them, they lose the subject matter of prayer and have no incentive to devotion. Their prayers become personal and selfish. They cannot pray in regard to the wants of humanity or the upbuilding of Christ’s kingdom, pleading for strength wherewith to work.{Pr 286.2}[24]
§51
如果我们忽略与弟兄在一起聚会的的特权，不在侍奉上帝的事上互相帮助和鼓励，就会蒙受损失。我们的心将不再体验圣经真理的活力和重要意义，不再被成圣的影响所启迪和鼓舞，于是在属灵衰退了。在我们基督徒的交际中，常因缺乏彼此的同情而蒙受许多损失。独善其身的人没有尽到上帝要他尽的本分。要适当培养我们的社交天性，能使我们体谅他人，在侍奉上帝的事上能得到力量和进步。?{Pr 286.3}[25]
§52
We sustain a loss when we neglect the privilege of associating together to strengthen and encourage one another in the service of God. The truths of His word lose their vividness and importance in our minds. Our hearts cease to be enlightened and aroused by their sanctifying influence, and we decline in spirituality. In our association as Christians we lose much by lack of sympathy with one another. He who shuts himself up to himself is not filling the position that God designed he should. The proper cultivation of the social elements in our nature brings us into sympathy?with others and is a means of development and strength to us in the service of God.?{Pr 286.3}[25]
§53
基督徒如果能聚在一起，互相谈论上帝的爱和救赎的宝贵真理，他们自己的心就会得到鼓舞，并且能彼此鼓舞。我们每天可以从天父那里学到更多，并对祂的恩典有新的体验。于是我们会乐意讲述祂的慈爱。我们这样作的时候，内心就得到温暖与振奋。我们越多默想耶稣，谈论耶稣，而少注意自己，与祂就越亲近。{Pr 287.1}[26]
§54
If Christians would associate together, speaking to each other of the love of God and of the precious truths of redemption, their own hearts would be refreshed and they would refresh one another. We may be daily learning more of our heavenly Father, gaining a fresh experience of His grace; then we shall desire to speak of His love; and as we do this, our own hearts will be warmed and encouraged. If we thought and talked more of Jesus, and less of self, we should have far more of His presence.{Pr 287.1}[26]
§55
如果我们一得到上帝眷顾我们的证据就思念祂，祂就会一直留在我们的思想中，使我们乐意谈论祂，赞美祂。我们谈论属世的事，是因为我们对这些事有兴趣。我们谈论自己的朋友，是因我们爱他们，愿与他们同甘共苦。然而我们爱上帝胜过爱属世朋友的理由，却非常之大。我们要自然而然地要让上帝占据我们思想的首位，谈论祂的恩慈，述说祂的权能。上帝赐给我们丰盛的恩典，不是单为我们思慕，而对上帝无所回报。这些恩赐是要不断提醒我们想起祂，以慈绳爱索把我们连结起来，使我们感谢天上的施恩者。我们入俗太深了。应当举目仰望天上圣所敞开的门户。在那里上帝荣耀的光照在基督面上。“凡靠着祂进到上帝面前的人，祂都能拯救到底”(来7:25)。{Pr 287.2}[27]
§56
If we would but think of God as often as we have evidence of His care for us we should keep Him ever in our thoughts and should delight to talk of Him and to praise Him. We talk of temporal things because we have an interest in them. We talk of our friends because we love them; our joys and our sorrows are bound up with them. Yet we have infinitely greater reason to love God than to love our earthly friends; it should be the most natural thing in the world to make Him first in all our thoughts, to talk of His goodness and tell of His power. The rich gifts He has bestowed upon us were not intended to absorb our thoughts and love so much that we should have nothing to give to God; they are constantly to remind us of Him and to bind us in bonds of love and gratitude to our heavenly Benefactor. We dwell too near the lowlands of earth. Let us raise our eyes to the open door of the sanctuary above, where the light of the glory of God shines in the face of Christ, who “is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.”?Hebrews 7:25.{Pr 287.2}[27]
§57
我们要“因耶和华的慈爱和祂向人所行的奇事，都称赞祂”(诗107:8)。我们的祈祷不应只包括祈求和领受。不要专想到自己的需要，而从不思考我们所领受的恩惠。我们祷告并不太多，但我们的感恩却太少。我们不断地领受上帝的恩典，却很少表示感谢，很少赞美祂为我们所作的事。{Pr 287.3}[28]
§58
We need to praise God more “for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men.”?Psalm 107:8. Our devotional exercises should not consist wholly in asking and receiving. Let us not be always thinking of our wants and never of the benefits we receive. We do not pray any too much, but we are too sparing of giving thanks. We are the constant recipients of God’s mercies, and yet how little gratitude we express, how little we praise Him for what He has done for us.{Pr 287.3}[28]
§59
古代的以色列人聚集侍奉上帝的时候，耶和华吩咐说：“在……耶和华上帝的面前，你们和你们的家属都可以吃，并且因你们手所办的一切事蒙耶和华你的上帝赐福”(申12:7)。凡是为荣耀主而作的事，都要在赞美和感谢的歌声中快快乐乐地去做，决不要愁眉苦脸。{Pr 288.1}[29]
§60
Anciently the Lord bade Israel, when they met together for His service, “Ye shall eat before the Lord your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the Lord thy God hath blessed thee.”?Deuteronomy 12:7. That which is done for the glory of God should be done with cheerfulness, with songs of praise and thanksgiving, not with sadness and gloom.{Pr 288.1}[29]
§61
我们的上帝是一位温柔慈怜的父亲。决不要以侍奉祂为伤心痛苦的事。我们应当乐于敬拜主，参加祂的圣工。上帝已将伟大的救恩赐给祂的儿女。祂不愿意他们视祂为一个苛刻严厉的监工。祂是他们最好的朋友。当他们敬拜祂的时候, 祂愿意与他们同在，赐福给他们，安慰他们，使他们心中充满喜乐和仁爱。主希望祂的儿女在侍奉祂的事上得到安慰，从祂的工作中看到快乐而不是困难。祂希望来敬拜祂的人都切身体会到祂的眷顾和慈爱，并愉快地从事在日常生活中的工作，靠着主的恩典在凡事上诚实忠心。{Pr 288.2}[30]
§62
Our God is a tender, merciful Father. His service should not be looked upon as a heart-saddening, distressing exercise. It should be a pleasure to worship the Lord and to take part in His work. God would not have His children, for whom so great salvation has been provided, act as if He were a hard, exacting taskmaster. He is their best friend; and when they worship Him, He expects to be with them, to bless and comfort them, filling their hearts with joy and love. The Lord desires His children to take comfort in His service and to find more pleasure than hardship in His work. He desires that those who come to worship Him shall carry away with them precious thoughts of His care and love, that they may be cheered in all the employments of daily life, that they may have grace to deal honestly and faithfully in all things.{Pr 288.2}[30]
§63
我们应当聚集在十字架周围，以基督和祂的被钉作为我们默想、谈论和最乐于倾情吐意的题目。我们应当把从上帝所领受的每一福分铭记在心。我们既认识了祂的大爱，就当欣然将凡事都交托那为我们而被钉在十字架上的圣手之中。{Pr 288.3}[31]
§64
We must gather about the cross. Christ and Him crucified should be the theme of contemplation, of conversation, and of our most joyful emotion. We should keep in our thoughts every blessing we receive from God, and when we realize His great love we should be willing to trust everything to the hand that was nailed to the cross for us.{Pr 288.3}[31]
§65
我们的心能随着赞美的歌声向天国攀升。在天庭中，是以诗歌和音乐崇拜上帝的。当我们表达自己的感恩时，就与天军的敬拜接近了。我们要“以感谢献上为祭”荣耀上帝。要怀着敬虔的喜乐，“以感谢和歌唱的声音，”来到我们的创造主面前(诗50:23；赛5l:3)。（SC 93-104）{Pr 288.4}[32]
§66
The soul may ascend nearer heaven on the wings of praise. God is worshiped with song and music in the courts above, and as we express our gratitude we are approximating to the worship of the heavenly hosts. “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth” God.?Psalm 50:23. Let us with reverent joy come before our Creator, with “thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.”?Isaiah 51:3.{Pr 288.4}[32]