第07章 怎样祷告
§1
第07章 怎样祷告
§2
Chapter 7—How to Pray
§3
“你们祷告的时候，不可像那假冒为善的人，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，不可像外邦人，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：我们在天上的父，愿人都尊祢的名为圣。愿祢的国降临，愿祢的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。我们日用的饮食，今日赐给我们。免我们的债，如同我们免了人的债。不叫我们遇见试探，救我们脱离凶恶，因为国度，权柄，荣耀，全是祢的，直到永远，阿们。你们饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必饶恕你们的过犯。你们不饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必不饶恕你们的过犯”（太6:5-15）。{CSA 26.1}[1]
§4
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: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:5-15. {CSA 26.1}[1]
§5
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。{CSA 26.2}[2]
§6
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. {CSA 26.2}[2]
§7
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。{CSA 26.3}[3]
§8
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. {CSA 26.3}[3]
§9
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。{CSA 26.4}[4]
§10
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. {CSA 26.4}[4]
§11
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了心灵的挣扎与折磨。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??47?{CSA 26.5}[5]
§12
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. 47 {CSA 26.5}[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。……T{CSA 27.1}[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 heavens 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.... {CSA 27.1}[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。……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。……{CSA 27.2}[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.... The heart must be open to the Spirits influence, or Gods blessing cannot be received.... {CSA 27.2}[7]
§17
使祈祷生效的另一个条件是信心。 ……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)。……A{CSA 27.3}[8]
§18
Another element of prevailing prayer is faith.... 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.... {CSA 27.3}[8]
§19
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。……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。?48{CSA 27.4}[9]
§20
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.... 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.... God is too wise to err, and too good to withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly. 48 {CSA 27.4}[9]
§21
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。49{CSA 27.5}[10]
§22
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. 49 {CSA 27.5}[10]
§23
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洁，回流到上帝那里。……{CSA 27.6}[11]
§24
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.... {CSA 27.6}[11]
§25
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。?50{CSA 27.7}[12]
§26
We should pray in the family circle, and above all we must not neglect secret prayer, for this is the life of the soul. 50 {CSA 27.7}[12]
§27
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。……{CSA 27.8}[13]
§28
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.... {CSA 27.8}[13]
§29
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。……”(约16:26,27)。……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。{CSA 27.9}[14]
§30
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.” ... John 16:26, 27.... 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. {CSA 27.9}[14]
§31
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。51{CSA 27.10}[15]
§32
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 Christs 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. 51 {CSA 27.10}[15]
§33
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。我们应该自然而然地让上帝占据我们思想的首位，谈论祂的恩慈，述说祂的权能。……{CSA 28.1}[16]
§34
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.... {CSA 28.1}[16]
§35
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。……{CSA 28.2}[17]
§36
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 Gods mercies, and yet how little gratitude we express, how little we praise Him for what He has done for us.... {CSA 28.2}[17]
§37
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。……{CSA 28.3}[18]
§38
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.... {CSA 28.3}[18]
§39
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。52{CSA 28.4}[19]
§40
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. 52 {CSA 28.4}[19]