第51章 祷告见证聚会
§1
第51章 祷告见证聚会Social Meetings
§2
最近接到一位我非常尊敬的弟兄来信，询问怎样带领聚会的事。他问是否要一连作许多的祷告，然后歇几分钟，接着再请许多人祷告。{1TT 273.1}[1]
§3
I Recently received a letter from a brother whom I highly respect, making inquiries in regard to how meetings should be conducted. He inquires if there should be many prayers offered in succession, and then a relief of a few moments, and quite a number of prayers again.?{1TT 273.1}[1]
§4
根据我在这个问题上所得到的亮光，我确定上帝无意要我们在聚会礼拜之时，叫人长久跪着倾听几个人的长篇祷告，以致聚会成为冗长而使人厌倦的。有些身体衰弱的人经过这场重累之后，难免要极其烦恼而精疲力竭了。除了身体因长跪而感到疲惫之外，更有甚者，是脑筋也因为连续久祷以致憔悴不堪。这样，灵性便得不到苏醒，聚会对于他们，非但无益，反而有损。他们身心俱疲，也没有得到属灵的力量。{1TT 273.2}[2]
§5
From the light I have had upon the subject I have decided that God does not require us, as we assemble for His worship, to make these seasons tedious and wearisome by remaining bowed quite a length of time, listening to several long prayers. Those in feeble health cannot endure this taxation without extreme weariness and exhaustion. The body becomes weary by remaining bowed down so long; and what is worse still, the mind becomes so wearied by the continuous exercise of prayer that no spiritual refreshment is realized, and the meeting is to them worse than a loss. They have become wearied mentally and physically, and they have obtained no spiritual strength.?{1TT 273.2}[2]
§6
不应当使议事会及祷告会冗长沉闷。人人都应尽力准时赴会；若是有人迟到，晚了一刻钟或半点钟，就不当等候。只要有两个人到场，就可以请求主的应许。不管出席聚会的人数多少，总要尽可能地准时开会。应当把没用的程序和繁文缛节抛开，大家要敏于负责任事。在普通的会议中，不必有超过十分钟的祷告。若位置有所变动，或者因唱诗和宣讲中断了祷告，若是有人觉得有祷告的负担，就可再让他们祷告。{1TT 273.3}[3]
§7
Meetings for conference and prayer should not be made tedious. If possible, all should be prompt to the hour appointed; and if there are dilatory ones, who are half an hour or even fifteen minutes behind the time, there should be no waiting. If there are but two present, they can claim the promise. The meeting should open at the appointed hour if possible, be there few or many present. Formality and cold stiffness should be laid aside, and all should be prompt to duty. Upon common occasions there should not be prayer of more than ten minutes’ duration. After there has been a change of?position, and the exercise of singing or exhortation has relieved the sameness, then, if any feel the burden of prayer, let them pray.?{1TT 273.3}[3]
§8
【简短扼要的祷告】
§9
大家应该觉得，祷告简短乃是基督徒的本分之一。只要把你所求的告诉主，不必东拉西扯。在私下的祷告中，各人有特权要祷告多长就多长，也可随心所欲坦率陈辞。他们可以为自己的亲戚朋友代祷。个人的房间乃是倾吐私人烦恼，苦难，及试探的地方。公共敬拜上帝的场所，却不是发表心中隐情的地方。{1TT 274.1}[4]
§10
【Short, Pointed Prayers】
§11
All should feel it a Christian duty to pray short. Tell the Lord just what you want, without going all over the world. In private prayer all have the privilege of praying as long as they desire and of being as explicit as they please. They can pray for all their relatives and friends. The closet is the place to tell all their private difficulties, and trials, and temptations. A common meeting to worship God is not the place to open the privacies of the heart.?{1TT 274.1}[4]
§12
公共聚会的目的是什么呢？难道是要用祷告来把我们所知道的一切向上帝说明及指教祂吗？我们相聚一堂，乃是要彼此交换思想感情而互相造就，彼此了解各人的盼望和志向而互相得到力量、光明和胆量。本着信心献上我们恳切衷心的祷告，使我们从能力之源领受奋兴和活力。这些聚会应当是最宝贵的时辰，当使这些聚会对于凡爱慕任何宗教事物的人成为兴趣盎然的。{1TT 274.2}[5]
§13
What is the object of assembling together? Is it to inform God, to instruct Him by telling Him all we know in prayer? We meet together to edify one another by an interchange of thoughts and feelings, to gather strength, and light, and courage by becoming acquainted with one another’s hopes and aspirations; and by our earnest, heartfelt prayers, offered up in faith, we receive refreshment and vigor from the Source of our strength. These meetings should be most precious seasons and should be made interesting to all who have any relish for religious things.?{1TT 274.2}[5]
§14
我怕有些人没有在私祷中向上帝陈明自己的困难，他们把这些难题保留着，而带到祷告会里，补作好几天的祷告。这等人可说是议事会及祷告会的凶手。他们没有传光，也不造就任何人。他们那冰冷枯燥的祷告，消极冗长的见证，给会众投下一重暗影。他们祷告一结束，大家都高兴。他们的祷告及讲论给会场带来的是几乎无法消散的寒冷和黑暗。从我得的亮光看来，我们的聚会应当是属灵的，亲睦的，但却不可太长。人们应当把自己的含蓄、骄傲、虚荣和恐惧都留在家里。在赴这些聚会之时，也不可带有一点异见及成见。正如一个精诚团结的家庭，赴会的弟兄姐妹们的心里，都应存着纯朴、温柔、信任和仁爱，并借他们带来的亮光使大家奋兴活泼起来。?{1TT 274.3}[6]
§15
There are some, I fear, who do not take their troubles to God in private prayer, but reserve them for the prayer meeting, and there do up their praying for several days. Such may be named conference and prayer meeting killers. They emit no light; they edify no one. Their cold, frozen prayers and long, backslidden testimonies cast a shadow. All are glad when they get through, and it is almost impossible to throw off the chill and darkness which their prayers and exhortations bring into the meeting. From the light which I have received, our meetings should be spiritual and social, and not too long. Reserve, pride, vanity, and fear of man should be left at home. Little differences and prejudices should not be taken with us?to these meetings. As in a united family, simplicity, meekness, confidence, and love should exist in the hearts of brethren and sisters who meet to be refreshed and invigorated by bringing their lights together.?{1TT 274.3}[6]
§16
天庭的大教师说：“你们是世上的光。”在宗教生活上，各人的经验未必完全相同。但这些经历不同的人们相聚一堂之时，却可本着单纯和谦让之心，谈论自身的经验。凡想在基督徒属灵历程上进步的人，就应当具有，而且必须具有一种活泼、新鲜而有生趣的经验。活泼的经验，乃是由日常的磨炼、斗争、试探、坚决奋斗和胜利，以及藉着耶稣而得的平安与喜乐综合而成的。简单陈述这些经验，就必产生光明，力量，和知识，足以帮助别人在属灵生活上有长进。敬拜上帝的聚会，对于凡爱慕神圣及属天事物的人，应当是既有教益，又具兴趣。{1TT 275.1}[7]
§17
“Ye are the light of the world,” says the heavenly Teacher. All have not the same experience in their religious life. But those of diverse exercises come together and with simplicity and humbleness of mind talk out their experience. All who are pursuing the onward Christian course should have, and will have, an experience that is living, that is new and interesting. A living experience is made up of daily trials, conflicts, and temptations, strong efforts and victories, and great peace and joy gained through Jesus. A simple relation of such experiences gives light, strength, and knowledge that will aid others in their advancement in the divine life. The worship of God should be both interesting and instructive to those who have any love for divine and heavenly things.?{1TT 275.1}[7]
§18
【耶稣主持的聚会】
§19
天庭的大教师耶稣并没有与世人隔绝。为要赐福给人类，祂从天上下来到地上，亲临人们所在之处。用自己神圣纯洁的生活，照亮众人的道路，并显明那到天上的途径。世人的救赎主设法使祂的教训明显而简要，叫人人都能够领会。祂通常爱在室外传道，那里没有墙垣把祂与跟从祂的群众隔绝。同时还有一些特别的原因，令祂喜欢在林间及海滨教训人。祂可以利用那些动人的风景和一般百姓所熟悉的实物现况，来说明祂想传给他们的重要真理。祂利用自己所发的教训，与上帝在自然界的工作互相联系。小鸟悠然无虑婉转歌鸣，山谷间的花草欣欣向荣，出于污池而不染纤尘的百合花，苍劲挺拔的大树，路旁错落有致的农田，随风荡漾的麦浪，贫瘠不毛的地土，不结实的果树，绵延的小丘，潺潺的清流，点缀在天边的晚霞──这一切都被祂用来向听众灌输神圣的真理。祂把上帝在诸天之间及大地之上创造的大工，与祂所要他们存记在心的生命之道相配合，以便他们在仰观俯察上帝在自然界的奇妙作为之际，也可以油然回忆起祂的教训来。{1TT 275.2}[8]
§20
【The Meetings Jesus Conducted】
§21
Jesus, the heavenly Teacher, did not hold Himself aloof from the children of men; but in order to benefit them He came from heaven to earth, where they were, that the purity and holiness of His life might shine upon the pathway of all and light the way to heaven. The Redeemer of the world sought to make His lessons of instruction plain and simple, that all might comprehend them. He generally chose the open air for His discourses. No walls could enclose the multitude which followed Him; but He had special reasons for resorting to the groves and the seaside to give His lessons of instruction. He could there have a commanding view of the landscape and make use of objects and scenes with which those in humble life were familiar, to illustrate the important truths He made known to them. With His lessons of instruction He associated the works of God in nature. The birds which were?caroling forth their songs without a care, the flowers of the valley glowing in their beauty, the lily that reposed in its purity upon the bosom of the lake, the lofty trees, the cultivated land, the waving grain, the barren soil, the tree that bore no fruit, the everlasting hills, the bubbling stream, the setting sun, tinting and gilding the heavens—all these He employed to impress His hearers with divine truth. He connected the works of God’s finger in the heavens and upon the earth with the words of life He wished to impress upon their minds, that, as they should look upon the wonderful works of God in nature, His lessons might be fresh in their memories.?{1TT 275.2}[8]
§22
基督尽其一切努力，设法使自己的教训生动有趣。祂知道疲惫饥饿的群众是不能领受属灵上的利益的，因此祂也不忘记他们肉体的需要。有一次祂施行神迹，使那些聚集来听祂宣讲生命之道的五千听众都吃饱。在向群众传讲宝贵真理时，祂也注意到四围的环境。那些景物十分赏心悦目，使爱好美景之人胸中涌起赞美之感。祂颂扬上帝在其创造之工中的智慧，并指导他们的心思由自然之物而引至创造自然的上帝，以致能与祂的神圣教训联系起来。{1TT 276.1}[9]
§23
In all His efforts Christ sought to make His teachings interesting. He knew that a tired, hungry throng could not receive spiritual benefit, and He did not forget their bodily needs. Upon one occasion He wrought a miracle to feed five thousand who had gathered to listen to the words of life which fell from His lips. Jesus regarded His surroundings when giving His precious truth to the multitude. The scenery was such as would attract the eye and awaken admiration in the breasts of the lovers of the beautiful. He could extol the wisdom of God in His creative works, and could bind up His sacred lessons by directing their minds through nature up to nature’s God.?{1TT 276.1}[9]
§24
这样，那些风景，树木，飞鸟、谷中的花、丘陵山岗、湖泊和美丽的诸天，便在他们的心中与那些神圣的真理发生联系，以至在基督升天之后，他们仍可见景生情，肃然回忆起主的教训。{1TT 276.2}[10]
§25
Thus the landscape, the trees, the birds, the flowers of the valley, the hills, the lake, and the beautiful heavens were associated in their minds with sacred truths which would make them hallowed in memory as they should look upon them after Christ’s ascension to heaven.?{1TT 276.2}[10]
§26
基督在教训众人之时，并没有把时间专用在祷告上。祂不象法利赛人那样，强迫人参加沉闷的仪式并做冗长的祷告。祂教门徒怎样祷告：“你们祷告的时候，不可象那假冒为善的人，爱站在会堂里，和十字路口上祷告，故意叫人看见；我实在告诉你们，他们已经得了他们的赏赐。你祷告的时候，要进你的内屋，关上门，祷告你在暗中的父，你父在暗中察看，必然报答你。你们祷告，不可象外邦人，用许多重复话；他们以为话多了必蒙垂听。你们不可效法他们；因为你们没有祈求以先，你们所需用的，你们的父早已知道了。所以你们祷告，要这样说”（太6:5-9）。?{1TT 276.3}[11]
§27
When Christ taught the people, He did not devote the time to prayer. He did not enforce upon them, as did the Pharisees, long, tedious ceremonies and prayers. He taught His disciples how to pray: “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen?of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him. After this manner therefore pray ye.”?Matthew 6:5-9.?{1TT 276.3}[11]
§28
【公众的祷告】
§29
基督要给祂的门徒留下一个观念，那就是他们所做的祷告务须简短，只要陈述他们所需要的，不必多说。祂提到他们祈祷的长度及内容，说明他们心中所盼望的属灵与属世之福惠，以及感恩道谢的话。在祂的模范祷告文中，意义是多么的深远全面啊！它把一切的实际需要都概括在内了。任何普通的祷告只须一两分钟就足够了。但有时有些祷告是由上帝圣灵特别授意，本着灵感而祈求。那饥渴的心灵，思慕上帝，烦恼叹息在心中争斗，象雅各的经验一样，若不得着上帝能力的特别显现，就不安息。这就是上帝所愿有的。{1TT 277.1}[12]
§30
【Public Prayer】
§31
Christ impressed upon His disciples the idea that their prayers should be short, expressing just what they wanted, and no more. He gives the length and substance of their prayers, expressing their desires for temporal and spiritual blessings, and their gratitude for the same. How comprehensive this sample prayer! It covers the actual need of all. One or two minutes is long enough for any ordinary prayer. There may be instances where prayer is in a special manner indited by the Spirit of God, where supplication is made in the Spirit. The yearning soul becomes agonized and groans after God. The spirit wrestles as did Jacob and will not be at rest without special manifestations of the power of God. This is as God would have it.?{1TT 277.1}[12]
§32
许多人祷告的样式是枯燥的，说教式的。他们乃是向人祈求，而不是向上帝祷告。他们如果是向上帝祷告，并切实明白在做什么，他们就要惊异于自己的僭妄冒失了。因为他们是用祷告的形式向主讲道，好像是宇宙的创造主，在有关世上各种显露之事的一般问题上需要特别的指教。所有此类祷告，乃是鸣的锣，响的钹，在天上是不算数的。上帝的天使也对之厌烦了，正如世上的人被勉强去听这些祷告而感到疲倦一样。{1TT 277.2}[13]
§33
But many offer prayer in a dry, sermonizing manner. These pray to men, not to God. If they were praying to God, and really understood what they were doing, they would be alarmed at their audacity; for they deliver a discourse to the Lord in the mode of prayer, as though the Creator of the universe needed special information upon general questions in relation to things transpiring in the world. All such prayers are as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. They are made no account of in heaven. Angels of God are wearied with them, as well as mortals who are compelled to listen to them.?{1TT 277.2}[13]
§34
耶稣是常作祷告的。祂退到寂静的林间或山上，向天父倾诉心愿。当日常的操劳及业务终止，疲倦的人们寻求休息之时，耶稣却用这时间去祷告。我们决不是叫人少作祷告；因为现今的人太少警醒祈祷了，尤其是缺少那有灵感及出于悟性的祈祷。热切而有效的祈祷常是适宜的，并且也不会叫人厌倦。这种祷告能使一切爱慕献身的人感到兴趣并得以复兴。{1TT 278.1}[14]
§35
Jesus was often found in prayer. He resorted to the lonely groves or to the mountains to make His requests known to His Father. When the business and cares of the day were ended, and the weary were seeking rest, Jesus devoted the time to prayer. We would not discourage prayer, for there is far too little praying and watching thereunto. And there is still less praying with the Spirit and the understanding also. Fervent and effectual prayer is always in place, and will never weary. Such prayer interests and refreshes all who have a love for devotion.?{1TT 278.1}[14]
§36
由于人们忽略私祷，以致在聚集敬拜上帝之时，便有许多人献上冗长烦琐、消极退后的祷告。他们在祷告之中，把一周之内所忽略的本分都提了出来，而且反复祈求，希望补足自己的疏忽，以平静那折磨他们的有愧的良心。他们希望藉着祷告，得蒙上帝的恩眷，然而往往这样祷告的结果，反而使别人的心思也被连累降至他们灵性黑暗的低落水准。如果基督徒能接受基督的警醒祈祷的教训，他们在敬拜上帝时，就必更理智聪明了。（2T.577-582.1871年）?{1TT 278.2}[15]
§37
Secret prayer is neglected, and this is why many offer such long, tedious, backslidden prayers when they assemble to worship God. They go over in their prayers a week of neglected duties, and pray round and round, hoping to make up for their neglect and pacify their condemned consciences, which are scourging them. They hope to pray themselves into the favor of God. But frequently these prayers result in bringing other minds down to their own low level in spiritual darkness. If Christians would take home the teachings of Christ in regard to watching and praying, they would become more intelligent in their worship of God.?{1TT 278.2}[15]
§38
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。我们应当利用这些特别的聚会，使我们的心思常常记念从上帝所领受的一切福惠，并且因祂的大爱而向祂表示感激之情，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。我们应在此生学习说迦南的话，唱锡安的歌。从十字架的奥秘及荣耀，我们可以估计出人的价值，这样，我们就可见到和觉得为同胞人类服务，使他们可以升到上帝的宝座之前，这种工作是何等重要了。（4T462.1880年）{1TT 278.3}[16]
§39
We must gather about the cross. Christ and Him crucified must be the theme of contemplation, of conversation, and of our most joyful emotion. We should have these special appointments for the purpose of keeping fresh in our thoughts everything which we receive from God, and of expressing our gratitude for His great love, and our willingness to trust everything to the hand that was nailed to the cross for us. We should learn here to talk the language of Canaan, to sing the songs of Zion. By the mystery and glory of the cross we can estimate the value of man, and then we shall see and feel the importance of working for our fellow men, that they may be exalted to the throne of God.—1880,?Testimonies for the Church 4:462.?{1TT 278.3}[16]