第21章 为病人祷告
§1
第21章 为病人祷告
§2
Chap. 21 - Prayer for the Sick
§3
关于F姐妹的病情，有一番大工应当作成。那些同心为她祷告的人，也有一番工作要作。如果上帝应允了他们的祷告，反而是害了他们。这一类的病痛乃是由于撒但控制了心思而来，因此作祷告之前，应当先下一番缜密的自省工作，察看是否还有罪恶需要悔改，承认和丢弃。应当在上帝面前深切谦卑，坚决而虚心地单单信靠基督宝血的功劳。在因行动错误而使心思远离上帝之时，禁食祈祷也是无用的。“我所拣选的禁食，不是要松开凶恶的绳，解下轭上的索，使被欺压的得自由，折断一切的轭么？不是要把你的饼分给饥饿的人；将飘流的穷人接到你家中；见赤身的给他衣服遮体；顾恤自己的骨肉而不掩藏么？”“那时你求告，耶和华必应允；你呼求，祂必说，我在这里。你若从你中间除掉重轭，和指摘人的指头，并发恶言的事；你心若向饥饿的人发怜悯，使困苦的人得满足；你的光就必在黑暗中发现，你的幽暗必变如正午；耶和华也必时常引导你，在干旱之地，使你心满意足，骨头强壮；你必象浇灌的园子，又象水流不绝的泉源”（赛58:6-7；9-11）。【2T.145.1】[1]
§4
In the case of Sister F, there needed to be a great work accomplished. Those who united in praying for her needed a work done for them. Had God answered their prayers, it would have proved their ruin. In such cases of affliction, where Satan has control of the mind, before engaging in prayer there should be the closest self-examination to discover if there are not sins which need to be repented of, confessed, and forsaken. Deep humility of soul before God is necessary, and firm, humble reliance upon the merits of the blood of Christ alone. Fasting and prayer will accomplish nothing while the heart is estranged from God by a wrong course of action. Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. {2T 145.1}[1]
§5
上帝所要的乃是内心的工作，好行为来自爱所充满的心。大家都当留心而虔诚地思想上面的经文，并省察自己的动机和行为。上帝给我们的应许原是以顺从及符合祂的一切要求为条件。先知以赛亚说：“你要大声喊叫，不可止息，扬起声来好像吹角，向我百姓说明他们的过犯，向雅各家说明他们的罪恶。他们天天寻求我，乐意明白我的道；好像行义的国民，不离弃他们上帝的典章，向我求问公义的判语，喜悦亲近上帝。他们说，我们禁食，你为何不看见呢？我们刻苦己心，你为何不理会呢”（赛58:1-3）？【2T.146.1】[2]
§6
It is heartwork that the Lord requires, good works springing from a heart filled with love. All should carefully and prayerfully consider the above scriptures, and investigate their motives and actions. The promise of God to us is on condition of obedience, compliance with all His requirements. Cry aloud, saith the prophet Isaiah, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of Me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and Thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and Thou takest no knowledge? {2T 146.1}[2]
§7
这里所提到的一等人，他们在信仰上自以为高，他们有祈祷的习惯，并乐意行各样宗教的礼节；但他们还有一种缺欠。他们知道自己的祈祷不蒙应允，他们的热忱及切心努力，也未得上天的注意，因此他们便迫切求问说，为什么主不理会他们。其实这并不是因为在上帝方面有什么忽略之处，症结还是在于人的身上。这等人一面自称敬虔，一面却没有结出果子来荣耀上帝；他们的行为不是他们所应有的。他们的生活忽略了积极的本分。除非他们履行这些本分，上帝就不能照着自己的荣耀而应允他们的祈祷。关于为F姐妹献上祷告的事，意见有很大的分歧。有些人是热狂的，凭冲动行事。他们虽有热心，却不是按着真知识。有些人希望在这场病上有奇迹出现，并在尚未得到胜利之前，便开始夸耀。他们所表现的很象耶户的精神，“你和我同去，看我为耶和华怎样热心”（王下10:16）。其实他们应当丢弃这种自信的心，而存谦卑和不靠自己的精神，并要伤心痛悔，把这事呈到上帝的面前。【2T.147.1】[3]
§8
A people are here addressed who make high profession, who are in the habit of praying, and who delight in religious exercises; yet there is a lack. They realize that their prayers are not answered; their zealous, earnest efforts are not observed in heaven, and they earnestly inquire why the Lord makes them no returns. It is not because there is any neglect on the part of God. The difficulty is with the people. While professing godliness, they do not bear fruit to the glory of God; their works are not what they should be. They are living in neglect of positive duties. Unless these are performed, God cannot answer their prayers according to His glory. In the case of offering prayer for Sister F, there was confusion of sentiment. Some were fanatical and moved from impulse. They possessed a zeal, but not according to knowledge. Some looked at the great thing to be accomplished in this case and began to triumph before the victory was gained. There was much of the Jehu spirit manifested: Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord. In place of this self-confident assurance, the case should have been presented to God with a spirit of humbleness and distrustfulness of self, and with a broken and a contrite heart. {2T 147.1}[3]
§9
我蒙指示看到，若是有人害病，在我们为病人祈祷并无阻碍的时候，不应起骚动的兴奋，而应以平静的信心把病情交给主。只有祂熟悉人过去的生活，并晓得他将来怎样。这位熟悉万人之心的主知道那人病好之后，是会荣耀祂的名，还是会离道叛教而羞辱祂。我们所需要作的只是求问上帝，如果合乎祂的旨意，就使那人病好，并相信祂垂听我们所提出的理由，及所作的热切祈祷。如果主看这样最能荣耀祂，祂就要应允我们的祈祷。但我们若不顺服祂的旨意，只是力求使病人痊愈，就是不对的。【2T.147.2】[4]
§10
I was shown that in case of sickness, where the way is clear for the offering up of prayer for the sick, the case should be committed to the Lord in calm faith, not with a storm of excitement. He alone is acquainted with the past life of the individual and knows what his future will be. He who is acquainted with the hearts of all men knows whether the person, if raised up, would glorify His name or dishonor Him by backsliding and apostasy. All that we are required to do is to ask God to raise the sick up if in accordance with His will, believing that He hears the reasons which we present and the fervent prayers offered. If the Lord sees it will best honor Him, He will answer our prayers. But to urge recovery without submission to His will is not right. {2T 147.2}[4]
§11
上帝所应许的，祂随时都能作成，祂所给祂子民去作的工，也是祂能藉他们作成的。如果他们照着祂所说的每句话而生活，祂所说的每句良言及应许，就要在他们的身上实现。但他们若是达不到完全的顺从，伟大而宝贵的应许就要离他们远去，以至无法实现。【2T.148.1】[5]
§12
What God promises He is able at any time to perform, and the work which He gives His people to do He is able to accomplish by them. If they will live according to every word He has spoken, every good word and promise will be fulfilled unto them. But if they come short of perfect obedience, the great and precious promises are afar off, and they cannot reach the fulfillment. {2T 148.1}[5]
§13
在为病人祈祷的事上，我们所能作的，只是迫切地为他们恳求上帝的看顾，并要全心信赖地将这事交托在祂的手中。我们的心中若注重罪孽，主必不听我们。祂能藉着属于祂的人去作成祂所愿意的事。祂要在那全然跟从祂的人里面运行，并藉他们做工，而使自己得荣耀，以致叫人知道祂是主，他们所行的是靠上帝而行。基督说：“若有人服事我，我父必尊重他”（约12:26）。当我们来到祂面前时，我们应当祈求使自己可以参与和成全祂的旨意，以致可以因上帝的心愿及兴趣，而忘却我们自己的心愿及兴趣。我们应承认我们接纳祂的旨意，而不是祈求祂向我们的心意让步。上帝没有常照我们所求的如时如愿应允，这乃是对我们更有益处。祂要为我们所行的，必定比实现我们一切的心愿更多而且更好；因为我们的智慧乃是愚昧。【2T.148.2】[6]
§14
All that can be done in praying for the sick is to earnestly importune God in their behalf, and in perfect confidence rest the matter in His hands. If we regard iniquity in our hearts the Lord will not hear us. He can do what He will with His own. He will glorify Himself by working in and through them who wholly follow Him, so that it shall be known that it is the Lord and that their works are wrought in God. Said Christ: If any man serve Me, him will My Father honor. When we come to Him we should pray that we may enter into and accomplish His purpose, and that our desires and interests may be lost in His. We should acknowledge our acceptance of His will, not praying Him to concede to ours. It is better for us that God does not always answer our prayers just when we desire, and in just the manner we wish. He will do more and better for us than to accomplish all our wishes, for our wisdom is folly. {2T 148.2}[6]
§15
我们曾同心合意地在男女及儿童的病榻之前恳切祈祷，并且觉到他们能起死回生，正是主应允了我们恳切的祷告。在这些祈祷中，我们认为自己必须是积极的，并为运用信心起见，我们必须只求生命。我们不敢说：“如果能使上帝得荣耀，就……”，因为害怕那样说，就是等于承认自己有疑惑不信之念了。我们曾切心观察那些可以说是起死回生的人。我们已见到其中有些人，尤其是青年人，在康复之后，便忘记了上帝，生活放荡，使父母及亲友伤心难过，并使自己成为那些害怕祈祷之人的耻辱。他们并不为荣耀上帝而生活，反倒以罪恶的人生咒骂祂。【2T.148.3】[7]
§16
We have united in earnest prayer around the sickbed of men, women, and children, and have felt that they were given back to us from the dead in answer to our earnest prayers. In these prayers we thought we must be positive and, if we exercised faith, that we must ask for nothing less than life. We dared not say, If it will glorify God, fearing it would admit a semblance of doubt. We have anxiously watched those who have been given back, as it were, from the dead. We have seen some of these, especially youth, raised to health, and they have forgotten God, become dissolute in life, causing sorrow and anguish to parents and friends, and have become a shame to those who feared to pray. They lived not to honor and glorify God, but to curse Him with their lives of vice. {2T 148.3}[7]
§17
我们不再自己划定方法，也不设法使主来顺从我们的心愿。如果病人的一生能荣耀主，我们便求主使他们可以存活，然而不要照我们的意思，只要照祂的意思。我们将心愿交托给全智的上帝，不急躁焦虑，而只全心信靠，完全依赖祂，我们的信仰就会坚固而且更加可靠了。我们有了应许，也晓得如果照着祂的旨意求，祂就必听我们。我们的祈求绝不可是命令式的，而应是代求式的，求主成就我们所愿望祂的事。教会若是联合同心，就会有能力及力量；但若有一部分人与世界联合，许多人喜欢上帝所憎恶的贪心，祂就只能为他们作成很少的事。不信及罪恶使他们与上帝隔绝了。我们是这样的软弱，以致在属灵的前程上不能有多大的成功，免得我们荣耀自己，将良善与公义归功于本身，认为这是我们获得上帝显著祝福的原因；其实这一切是因为我们慈悲天父的伟大怜悯和慈爱，而不是因为在我们里面有什么善行。【2T.149.1】[8]
§18
We no longer mark out a way nor seek to bring the Lord to our wishes. If the life of the sick can glorify Him, we pray that they may live; nevertheless, not as we will but as He will. Our faith can be just as firm, and more reliable, by committing the desire to the all-wise God, and, without feverish anxiety, in perfect confidence, trusting all to Him. We have the promise. We know that He hears us if we ask according to His will. Our petitions must not take the form of a command, but of intercession for Him to do the things we desire of Him. When the church are united, they will have strength and power; but when part of them are united to the world, and many are given to covetousness, which God abhors, He can do but little for them. Unbelief and sin shut them away from God. We are so weak that we cannot bear much spiritual prosperity, lest we take the glory, and accredit goodness and righteousness to ourselves as the reason of the signal blessing of God, when it was all because of the great mercy and lovingkindness of our compassionate heavenly Father, and not because any good was found in us. {2T 149.1}[8]
§19
我们应始终在自己周围之人身上发挥一种令其成圣的感化力。这种令人得救、使人高贵的影响在某地一直非常薄弱。许多人与世界搀杂，并与其精神和影响有份，他们与世俗为友，就是自绝于上帝。耶稣已超过他们一天的路程。他们不再能听到祂劝勉和警告的声音，他们随从自己的智慧和判断。他们所走的道路在自己眼中看为正，但至终却显为愚昧。上帝不允许祂的工作搀杂进属世的策略。上帝选来领导最庄严、最神圣工作的，不是世上那些精明算计之人。他们必须要么悔改，要么从事与他们贪爱世界之心相称的工作。这种工作不会带来永恒的果效。上帝决不与世俗之人合作。基督将以下选择摆在每一个人面前：你是选择我，还是选择世界？你是作基督徒、忍受责备和羞辱、作特别的子民、热心为善、甚至被世界所憎恨，还是选择这个世界所能给予的尊荣、欢呼和利益，而与我无份呢？“你们不能又侍奉上帝，又侍奉玛门”（太6:24）。【2T.149.2】[9]
§20
We should ever exert an influence which will be sanctifying on those around us. This saving, ennobling influence has been very feeble at -----. Many have mingled with the world and partaken of its spirit and influence, and its friendship has separated them from God. Jesus has passed a days journey in advance of them. They can no longer hear His voice of counsel and warning, and they follow their own wisdom and judgment. They follow a course which appears right in their own eyes, but which afterward proves to be folly. God will not allow His work to be mixed with worldly policy. Shrewd, calculating men of the world are not the men to take leading positions in this most solemn, sacred work. They must either be converted, or engage in that calling which is appropriate to their world-loving inclinations, and which does not involve such eternal consequences. God will never enter into partnership with worldlings. Christ gives everyone his choice: Will you have Me or the world? Will you suffer reproach and shame, be peculiar, and zealous of good works, even if hated of the world, and take My name, or will you choose the esteem, the honor, the applause and profits the world has to give, and have no part in Me? Ye cannot serve God and mammon. {2T 149.2}[9]