第1510号 祷告的正确态度
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第1510号 祷告的正确态度
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MR No. 1510 - The Proper Attitude in Prayer
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（这份文稿的部分内容收录在SDA圣经注释卷一和卷三，以及《信息选粹》卷二中。）
§4
有人来信问我，向宇宙的君王献祷，应采取何种姿势为宜。我们的弟兄们从何处得来这样一种观点，认为自己应该站着向上帝祷告？一位曾在巴特尔克里克受过大约五年教育的人，在怀姊妹向众人讲话之前带领祷告。但当我看到他站得直直地，要张口向上帝祷告时，我的心里就难受，于是公开责备他。我叫他的名字，说：“要双膝跪下。”这始终是合宜的姿势。I{21MR 59.1}[1]
§5
(Portions of this manuscript have appeared in the SDA Bible Commentary, vols. 1 and 3, and Selected Messages, book 2.)
§6
I have received letters questioning me in regard to the proper attitude to be taken by a person offering prayer to the Sovereign of the universe. Where have our brethren obtained the idea that they should stand upon their feet when praying to God? One who has been educated for about five years in Battle Creek was asked to lead in prayer before Sister White should speak to the people. But as I beheld him standing upright upon his feet while his lips were about to open in prayer to God, my soul was stirred within me to give him an open rebuke. Calling him by name, I said, Get down upon your knees. This is the proper position always. {21MR 59.1}[1]
§7
“于是离开他们约有扔一块石头那么远，跪下祷告”（路22:41）。“彼得叫他们都出去，就跪下祷告，转身对着死人说：‘大比大，起来！’她就睁开眼睛，见了彼得，便坐起来”（徒9:40）。“他们正用石头打的时候，司提反呼吁主说：‘求主耶稣接收我的灵魂！’又跪下大声喊着说：‘主啊，不要将这罪归于他们！’说了这话，就睡了”（徒7:59,60）。“保罗说完了这话，就跪下同众人祷告”（徒20:36）。“过了这几天，我们就起身前行。他们众人同妻子儿女，送我们到城外，我们都跪在岸上祷告，彼此辞别”（徒21:5）。“献晚祭的时候我起来，心中愁苦，穿着撕裂的衣袍，双膝跪下向耶和华我的上帝举手，说：‘我的上帝啊，我抱愧蒙羞，不敢向我上帝仰面；因为我们的罪孽灭顶，我们的罪恶滔天’”（拉9:5,6）。“来啊，我们要屈身敬拜，在造我们的耶和华面前跪下”（诗95:6）。“因此，我在父面前屈膝”（弗3:14）。如果我们的心愿意接受，这一整章都是我们可以学习的宝贵教训。{21MR 59.2}[2]
§8
[Luke 22:41; Acts 9:40; 7:59, 60; Acts 20:36; 21:5; Ezra 9:5, 6; Psalms 95:6; Ephesians 3:14, quoted.] And this whole chapter will, if the heart is receptive, be as precious a lesson as we can learn. {21MR 59.2}[2]
§9
在祷告上帝的时候，正确的姿态乃是双膝跪下。这种敬拜的举动曾强求于三个在巴比伦的希伯来俘虏。在为尼布甲尼撒王所立的那个代表巴比伦王的金像行开光之礼时，“传令的大声呼叫说：‘各方、各国、各族的人哪，有令传与你们：你们一听见角、笛、琵琶、琴、瑟、笙，和各样乐器的声音，就当俯伏敬拜尼布甲尼撒王所立的金像。凡不俯伏敬拜的，必立时扔在烈火的窑中。’因此各方、各国、各族的人民一听见角、笛、琵琶、琴、瑟，和各样乐器的声音，就都俯伏敬拜尼布甲尼撒王所立的金像”（但3:4-7）。{21MR 59.3}[3]
§10
To bow down when in prayer to God is the proper attitude to occupy. This act of worship was required of the three Hebrew captives in Babylon. At the dedication of the golden image, representing the king of Babylon, and which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up, a herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up [Daniel 3:4-7]. {21MR 59.3}[3]
§11
这个向大像屈膝的举动被理解为一个敬拜的举动。但是这种举动只可用来敬拜上帝——祂是全地的王，宇宙的主。这三个希伯来俘虏不肯给任何偶像以这种尊荣，哪怕偶像是用精金制作的。他们如果这样做，实际上就是向巴比伦王屈膝。他们由于不肯照王的命令去做，就受到了惩罚，被抛进熊熊的火窑之中。但是基督亲自来到火中与他们同行。他们毫发无损。{21MR 59.4}[4]
§12
This act of bowing the knees to the great image was understood to be an act of worship. But such an act was homage to be rendered to God alone--the Sovereign of the world, the Ruler of the universe; and these three Hebrews refused to give such honor to any idol even though composed of pure gold. In doing so, they would, to all intents and purposes, be bowing to the king of Babylon. Refusing to do as the king had commanded, they suffered the penalty, and were cast into the burning fiery furnace. But Christ came in person and walked with them through the fire, and they received no harm. {21MR 59.4}[4]
§13
无论是公众或私下的敬拜，我们双膝跪在上帝面前向祂恳求乃是我们的本分。这个动作表明我们依靠上帝。{21MR 60.1}[5]
§14
Both in public and private worship it is our duty to bow down upon our knees before God when we offer our petitions to Him. This act shows our dependence upon God. {21MR 60.1}[5]
§15
在圣殿的奉献礼时，所罗门面对祭坛站着。在圣殿的院子里有一个铜制的平台。他登上这个平台之后，站着向天举手，为以色列广大的会众祝福。以色列会众也都站着。“那时，所罗门说：耶和华曾说祂必住在幽暗之处。但我已经建造殿宇作祢的居所，为祢永远的住处。王转脸为以色列会众祝福，以色列会众就都站立。所罗门说：耶和华以色列的上帝是应当称颂的！因祂亲口向我父大卫所应许的，也亲手成就了。祂说：‘自从我领我民出埃及地以来，我未曾在以色列众支派中选择一城建造殿宇为我名的居所，也未曾拣选一人作我民以色列的君；但选择耶路撒冷为我名的居所，又拣选大卫治理我民以色列。’所罗门说：我父大卫曾立意要为耶和华以色列上帝的名建殿，耶和华却对我父大卫说：‘你立意要为我的名建殿，这意思甚好；只是你不可建殿，惟你所生的儿子必为我名建殿。’现在耶和华成就了祂所应许的话，使我接续我父大卫坐以色列的国位，是照耶和华所说的，又为耶和华以色列上帝的名建造了殿。我将约柜安置在其中，柜内有耶和华的约，就是祂与以色列人所立的约”（代下6:1-11）。{21MR 60.2}[6]
§16
At the dedication of the Temple, Solomon stood facing the altar. In the court of the Temple was a brazen scaffold or platform, and after ascending this, he stood and lifted up his hands to heaven, and blessed the immense congregation of Israel, and all the congregation of Israel stood. [2 Chronicles 6:1-11, quoted.] {21MR 60.2}[6]
§17
“所罗门曾造一个铜台，长五肘，宽五肘，高三肘，放在院中，就站在台上，当着以色列的会众跪下，向天举手”（代下6:13）。{21MR 60.3}[7]
§18
For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven [verse 13]. {21MR 60.3}[7]
§19
他那时献上长篇的祷告是合宜的，是受了上帝的感动，以最深切的谦卑，倾吐最虔诚的情感。{21MR 60.4}[8]
§20
The lengthy prayer which he then offered was appropriate for the occasion. It was inspired of God, breathing the sentiments of the loftiest piety blended with the deepest humility. {21MR 60.4}[8]
§21
我提出这些经文作为证据，问道：“J弟兄是在哪里受的教育？”是在巴特尔克里克。我们学校中的传道人，校长和教师，既有上帝赐给祂子民有关恭敬的全部亮光，岂能藉着言传身教，让青年人像法利赛人那样站着祷告呢？这样做，难道不是自满和自以为了不起？难道不是为了张扬和招摇？{21MR 60.5}[9]
§22
I present these proof texts with the inquiry, Where did Brother J obtain his education? At Battle Creek. Is it possible that with all the light that God has given to His people on the subject of reverence, that ministers, principals, and teachers in our schools, by precept and example teach young men to stand erect in devotion as did the Pharisees? Shall we look upon this as significant of their self-sufficiency and self-importance? Are these traits to become conspicuous? {21MR 60.5}[9]
§23
“耶稣向那些仗着自己是义人，藐视别人的，设一个比喻，说：有两个人上殿里去祷告；一个是法利赛人，一个是税吏。法利赛人站着，自言自语地祷告说：上帝啊，我感谢祢，我不像别人勒索，不义，奸淫，也不像这个税吏。我一个礼拜禁食两次，凡我所得的，都捐上十分之一”（路18:9-12）。你看，正是这自以为义的法利赛人没有在上帝面前谦卑崇敬，而是傲慢自恃地站着，把自己的好行为都告诉主。“法利赛人站着，自言自语地祷告说”（路18:11）；他的祷告只是做给自己听的。{21MR 60.6}[10]
§24
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank Thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all I possess [Luke 18:9-12]. Mark you, it was the self-righteous Pharisee who was not in a position of humility and reverence before God; but standing in his haughty self-sufficiency, he told the Lord all his good deeds. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself [verse 11]; and his prayer reached no higher than himself. {21MR 60.6}[10]
§25
“那税吏远远地站着，连举目望天也不敢，只捶着胸说：‘上帝啊！开恩可怜我这个罪人。’我告诉你们，这人回家去比那人倒算为义了；因为，凡自高的，必降为卑；自卑的，必升为高”（路18:13,14）。{21MR 60.7}[11]
§26
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted [verses 13, 14]. {21MR 60.7}[11]
§27
我们希望我们的弟兄们在接近独一真活的上帝时，不会表现比外邦人对他们的偶像假神更少的敬畏，否则这些人在最后的审判日子会定我们的罪。{21MR 61.1}[12]
§28
We hope that our brethren will not manifest less reverence and awe as they approach the only true and living God than the heathen manifest for their idol deities, or these people will be our judges in the day of final decision. {21MR 61.1}[12]
§29
我要对一切在我们学校中担任教师的人说，你们不要因不尊敬和自负的行为羞辱上帝。不要怀着法利赛人的精神站着向上帝祷告。不要信靠和依赖自己的力量，而要时常在上帝面前屈膝敬拜祂。{21MR 61.2}[13]
§30
I would speak to all who occupy the place of teachers in our schools. Men and women, do not dishonor God by your irreverence and pomposity. Do not stand up in your Pharisaism and offer your prayers to God. Mistrust your own strength. Depend not in it; but often bow down on your knees before God, and worship Him. {21MR 61.2}[13]
§31
当你们聚集敬拜上帝的时候，务要在祂面前屈膝，以此证明你是全身心地顺服真理的圣灵。有谁曾在这方面仔细研究圣经的榜样和指示呢？我们在美国和外国的学校中，可以信赖谁作教师呢？学生们经过数年的学习之后，岂可带着关于敬重和尊荣上帝的错误观念回到自己的国家，觉得没有义务尊敬白发的人，有经验的人，上帝所拣选几乎一生从事圣工的人呢？{21MR 61.3}[14]
§32
And when you assemble to worship God, be sure and bow your knees before Him. Let this act testify that the whole soul, body, and spirit are in subjection to the Spirit of truth. Who have searched the Word closely for examples and direction in this respect? Whom can we trust as teachers in our schools in America and foreign countries? After years of study shall students return to their own country with perverted ideas of the respect and honor and reverence that should be given to God, and feel under no obligation to honor the men of gray hairs, the men of experience, the chosen servants of God who have been connected with the work of God through almost all the years of their life? {21MR 61.3}[14]
§33
我忠告在美国和任何其它地方上学的人，不要感染不敬的精神。务要亲自明白自己需要何种教育，以便你们教育他人也去获得合适的品格，在不久就要临到全地活人的考验中站立得住。要与最纯正的基督徒为伴。不要选择自命不凡的教师或学生，而要选择那些表现出最深刻的虔诚，在上帝的事上有聪慧之灵的人。{21MR 61.4}[15]
§34
I advise all who attend the schools in America or in any other place, Do not catch the spirit of irreverence. Be sure you understand for yourself what kind of education you need, that you may educate others to obtain a fitness of character that will stand the test that is soon to be brought upon all who live upon the earth. Keep company with the soundest Christians. Choose not the pretentious instructors or pupils, but those who show the deepest piety, those who have a spirit of intelligence in the things of God. {21MR 61.4}[15]
§35
“认识祢独一的真神，并且认识祢所差来的耶稣基督，这就是永生”（约17:3）。这是学生们能获得的惟一安全的知识。{21MR 61.5}[16]
§36
And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. This is the only safe knowledge that students can obtain. {21MR 61.5}[16]
§37
肤浅的读经使我心痛。我写这些话的时候心里叹息，因为我看到人们对圣经的理解多么浅薄。口头的基督教很多，实行的却很少。耶稣说：我就是道路、真理、生命（约14:6）。谁会证明自己是聪明的童女呢？谁是愚拙的童女，有灯却没有油在器皿里呢？难道要成为经上所描绘的样子——一半是聪明的，一半是愚拙的吗？{21MR 61.6}[17]
§38
The light reading of the Scriptures makes my heart ache. Whilst I am writing I groan in spirit as I see how superficial is the understanding of the Scriptures. There is an abundance of profession of Christianity, but very little practice. Jesus says, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Who will prove themselves wise virgins? Who are the foolish virgins? Those who have no oil in their vessels with their lamps. Shall it be as represented--half wise, and half foolish? {21MR 61.6}[17]
§39
我们生活在危险的时期。安息日复临信徒自称是遵守上帝诫命的百姓；但他们正在失去虔诚献身的精神。这种崇敬上帝的精神教人如何就近他们的创造主——因信而存着圣洁和敬畏的心，不是信赖自己，而是信赖一位中保。这样，人才能无论身处何境都保持坚定忠实。人必须屈膝，作为一个领受恩典的百姓，在施恩台前恳求。当他每日从上帝手中得蒙怜悯时，他总会怀着感恩的心将之珍藏在心，为这些他本不配得的宠爱献上感谢和赞美。天使们一直在保护他一生的道路，救他脱离了许多未见的网罗。因为这种从不睡觉，从不打盹的守卫和看护，他应当在每一祷告中承认上帝对他的照顾。{21MR 61.7}[18]
§40
We are living in perilous times. Seventh-day Adventists are professedly the commandment-keeping people of God; but they are losing their devotional spirit. This spirit of reverence for God teaches men how to approach their Maker--with sacredness and awe through faith, not in themselves but in a Mediator. Thus man is kept fast under whatever circumstances he is placed. Man must come on bended knee, as a subject of grace, a suppliant at the footstool of mercy. And as he receives daily mercies at the hand of God, he is ever to cherish gratitude in his heart, and give expression to it in words of thanksgiving and praise for these unmerited favors. Angels have been guarding his pathway through all his life, and many of the snares he has been delivered from he has not seen. And for this guardianship and watchcare by eyes that never slumber and never sleep, he is to recognize in every prayer the service of God for him. {21MR 61.7}[18]
§41
人人都应在自己的无助境况和日常需要中依靠上帝。他们应当保持谦卑，警醒，并且常常祷告。应当自真诚爱戴上帝的心中涌出赞美和感恩。{21MR 62.1}[19]
§42
All should lean upon God in their helplessness and daily necessity. They should keep humble, watchful, and prayerful. Praise and thanksgiving should flow forth in gratitude and sincere love for God. {21MR 62.1}[19]
§43
他们应当在正直人的集会中和在会众中赞美至高的上帝。凡感到自己与上帝有生命联系的人，都应当站立在主面前，做祂的见证人，宣扬上帝的仁爱，恩慈和良善。要言语诚恳，简单，热切，有智慧，心中燃烧着上帝的爱，嘴唇成为圣洁，来荣耀祂，不仅在圣徒的聚会中，也在各处作祂的见证人。地上的居民应当知道祂是上帝，是独一真实永活的上帝。{21MR 62.2}[20]
§44
In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation should they praise the Most High God. All who have a sense of their vital connection with God should stand before the Lord as witnesses for Him, giving expression of the love, the mercies, and the goodness of God. Let the words be sincere, simple, earnest, intelligent, the heart burning with the love of God, the lips sanctified to His glory to make known the mercies of God not only in the assembly of the saints, but to be His witnesses in every place. The inhabitants of the earth are to know that He is God, the only true and living God. {21MR 62.2}[20]
§45
应当有聪明，认识到怎样以诚挚的爱，抱着崇敬的态度来到上帝面前。我们对创造主的尊崇越来越缺少了。对祂的伟大和威严也越来越漠视了。然而上帝在这末世对我们讲话。我们在狂风暴雨和隆隆雷声中听见了祂的声音。我们也听到了祂所许可的种种灾难，就是地震，水灾和扫荡全地的毁灭性气候。我们听到了船舶被吞没在汹涌的汪洋之中。上帝有时在旋风和狂风之中，有时则像祂与摩西谈话那样面对面地与那些不肯承认祂的家庭说话。祂还对信靠祂的小孩子和白发苍苍的老人述说祂的慈爱。地上的智慧只有看见那看不见的事物，才算是智慧。{21MR 62.3}[21]
§46
There should be an intelligent knowledge of how to come to God in reverence and godly fear with devotional love. There is a growing lack of reverence for our Maker, a growing disregard of His greatness and His Majesty. But God is speaking to us in these last days. We hear His voice in the storm, in the rolling thunder. We hear of the calamities He permits in the earthquakes, the breaking forth of waters, and the destructive elements sweeping all before them. We hear of ships going down in the tempestuous ocean. God speaks to families who have refused to recognize Him, sometimes in the whirlwind and storm, sometimes face to face as He talked with Moses. Again, He whispers His love to the little trusting child and to the gray-haired sire in his dotage. And earthly wisdom has a wisdom as it beholds the unseen. {21MR 62.3}[21]
§47
在使岩石移动脱离本位的旋风和暴风之后，传来了安静微小的声音。但愿人人遮住自己的脸，因为上帝离我们很近。但愿他们把自己藏在耶稣基督里面；因为祂是他们的藏身之所。当谦卑的寻求者以恭敬的态度等候主对祂的仆人说话时，祂便亲自用祂那钉痕的手遮掩磐石之穴。（《文稿》1897年84b号）怀爱伦著作托管委员会1990年9月13日全文发表于马里兰州银泉市。{21MR 62.4}[22]
§48
When the still small voice which succeeds the whirlwind and the tempest that moves the rocks out of position, is heard, let all cover their face, for God is very near. Let them hide themselves in Jesus Christ; for He is their hiding place. The cleft in the rock is hidden with His own pierced hand while the humble seeker waits in bowed attitude to hear what saith the Lord unto His servants.--Ms 84b, 1897. Ellen G. White Estate Silver Spring, Maryland September 13, 1990. Entire Ms. {21MR 62.4}[22]