第32章 祷告会
§1
第32章 祷告会
§2
Chapter 32—Prayer Meeting
§3
教会必须常常祷告——耶稣在祷告！天上的至尊者在祷告！祂为人的缘故哭了。祈祷，忠诚恳切的祈祷会推动那撼动世界的手臂。基督的传道人如果要从上帝面前得到振奋就必须祈祷。教会如果要行在光中，像祂在光中一样，就必须经常祷告。--ST1880.1.15{PaM 183.1}[1]
§4
The church must pray often—Jesus prayed! The Majesty of Heaven prayed! He wept in behalf of man. Prayer, faithful, earnest prayer will move the arm that moves the world. The minister of Christ must pray if he would have the refreshing from the presence of God. The church must pray much if they would walk in the light, as He is in the light.—The Signs of the Times, January 15, 1880.?{PaM 183.1}[1]
§5
祷告会是教会身体的脉搏——祷告会能经常呈现教会信徒在属灵上和永恒事物上的真正兴趣。祷告会就像脉搏对于身体的作用一样，显示出教会真实的属灵状况。一个毫无生机、退后的教会对祷告会不感兴趣。--给我们各机构经理和工人们的证言精选(Ph149)32.{PaM 183.2}[2]
§6
Prayer meeting is the pulse of the church body—A prayer meeting will always tell the true interest of the church members in spiritual and eternal things. The prayer meeting is as the pulse to the body; it denotes the true spiritual condition of the church. A lifeless, backslidden church has no relish for the prayer meetings.—Selections from Testimonies to the Managers and Workers in our Institutions (Ph 149), 32.?{PaM 183.2}[2]
§7
信徒应当将祷告会摆在更重要的地位——许多人声称去参加音乐会而忽略祷告会，或不参赴上帝仆人宣讲自天而来之信息的聚会，并没有什么害处。你的安全之所乃是在基督所说祂要临格之处。凡珍视基督之圣言的人，必不避开祷告聚会，或不参赴主的使者奉差遣讲论关乎永恒福利之事的聚会。耶稣曾说：“无论在哪里，有两三个人奉我的名聚会，那里就有我在他们中间”（太18:20）。你怎么受得了选择自己的娱乐而丧失这种福惠呢？放任这些事,不但对你自己的品性与人生，也对你友伴的品性与人生,有明显的影响。假若一切自称为基督门徒的人，能在行为和诚实上名符其实，他们就必以基督的心为心，也必从事上帝的工作。他们就必抗拒放任自我的试探，证明他们并不喜爱属世轻浮的娱乐过于喜爱在见证聚会与基督相遇的权利。这样他们就必在别人身上有确切的感化力，引导他们仿效自己的榜样。--YI1912.4.23{PaM 183.3}[3]
§8
Members should give prayer meeting a higher priority—Many declare that it is certainly no harm to go to a concert and neglect the prayer-meeting, or absent themselves from meetings where God’s servants are to declare a message from heaven. It is safe for you to be just where Christ has said He would be. Those who appreciate the words of Christ will not turn aside from the prayer-meeting, or from the meeting where the Lord’s messenger has been sent to tell them concerning things of eternal interest. Jesus has said, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Can you afford to choose your pleasure and miss the blessing? It is indulgence in these things that has a telling influence not only on your own life and character, but upon the life and character of your associates. If all who profess to be followers of Christ would be so in deed and in truth, they would have the mind of Christ, and would work the works of God. They would resist temptation to indulge self, and would show that they do not enjoy the frivolous pleasure of the world more than the privilege of meeting with Christ in the social meeting. They would then have a decided influence upon others, and lead them to follow their example.—The Youth’s Instructor, April 23, 1912.?{PaM 183.3}[3]
§9
凡真心寻求与上帝交通的人，必会出现在祷告的会中--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。--SC98.{PaM 183.4}[4]
§10
Those really seeking for communion with God will be seen in the prayer meeting—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.—Steps to Christ, 98.?{PaM 183.4}[4]
§11
当每一个参加祷告会的人都觉得自己对它的成功有责任时，祷告会就会获致成效——在离开家之前，应当在私下的祈祷中到上帝面前。恳求上帝的赐福，祂“在暗中察看，必在明处报答你”（太6:4）。你的心被耶稣的爱所软化，去参赴聚会，就会觉得自己对聚会的成功有责任。如果仅有几个人参加，你应当觉得负有双重的责任。你在为上帝服务，应当尽你所能运用你的才干、机智和技巧使敬拜富有趣味。--ST1884.12.4{PaM 184.1}[5]
§12
Effective prayer meeting results when each who attends feels personally responsible for its success—Before leaving home, go to God in secret prayer. Plead with Him for His blessing, and He who “seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” With your heart softened by the love of Jesus, go to the meeting, feeling that you are personally responsible for its success. If but few attend, you should feel under double responsibility. You are in the service of God, and should do what you can with your talent, tact, and skill to make His worship interesting.—The Signs of the Times, December 4, 1884.?{PaM 184.1}[5]
§13
祷告会不应当是枯燥乏味，了无生机。——基督徒没有对公开敬拜上帝予以足够的重视。他们没有认识到这方面的责任。尤其是祷告会，常常枯燥单调，了无生机。但它却不必如此。即或很少几个人喜欢祷告的时辰，也可以使它既有意思又有益处。耶稣的临格并不局限在大群人的聚会。--ST1884.12.4{PaM 184.2}[6]
§14
Prayer meeting need not be dull, spiritless, and unattractive—Christians do not always make the public worship of God of sufficient importance. They do not realize their responsibility in the matter. The prayer-meeting, especially, is often dull, spiritless, and unattractive. But it need not be. Even where few love the hour of prayer, it may be made interesting and profitable. The presence of Jesus is not confined to large assemblies.—The Signs of the Times, December 4, 1884.?{PaM 184.2}[6]
§15
如果人们在祷告聚会中可以得着生命的粮，他们自会到那里去领受了--祷告聚会应成为所有聚会中最有兴趣的；但往往却主持的不得其法。许多人参赴讲道聚会，却忽略了祷告聚会。对于这事，仍是需要思考的。当求上帝赐下智慧，并拟定计划使祷告聚会成为有兴趣而且动人的。人们渴慕生命的粮。如果在祷告聚会中可以得着它，他们自会到那里去领受了。--4T70.{PaM 184.3}[7]
§16
If people find the Bread of Life at prayer meeting, they will go there to receive it—The prayer meetings should be the most interesting gatherings that are held; but these are frequently poorly managed. Many attend preaching, but neglect the prayer meeting. Here, again, thought is required. Wisdom should be sought of God, and plans should be laid to conduct the meetings so that they will be interesting and attractive. The people hunger for the Bread of Life. If they find it at prayer meeting, they will go there to receive it.—Testimonies for the Church 4:70.?{PaM 184.3}[7]
§17
见证聚会应被视为最珍贵的聚会——这些小型聚会含有何等深远而严肃的重要意义啊！耶稣基督已经付出自己的血作为他们灵魂的赎价。当他们聚集敬拜上帝时，祂就在他们中间。天上的至尊使祂的利益与信徒保持一致，无论他们的境域何等卑微。他们不拘在何处都有聚会的权利。他们应该彼此时时谈论，倾吐因思念主名而产生的感谢和敬爱之情。上帝就这样在垂听之时得了荣耀，而见证聚会也会被视为最珍贵的聚会。--OHC168{PaM 184.4}[8]
§18
【Testimonies】
§19
The testimony meeting may be considered the most precious of all meetings—What deep and grave importance is attached to these little assemblies! Jesus Christ has paid the ransom money of His own blood for their souls, and He is in the midst of them when they meet to worship God. The Majesty of heaven identifies His interests with those of the believers, however humble may be their circumstances. And wherever they are privileged to meet together, it is appropriate that they speak often one to another, giving utterance to the gratitude and love that results from thinking upon the name of the Lord. Thus shall God be glorified as He hearkens and?hears, and the testimony meeting will be considered the most precious of all meetings.—Our High Calling, 168?{PaM 184.4}[8]
§20
人人都为主说几句话，聚会就津津有味--主曾指示我，守安息日的同道应该用心主持聚会，使之津津有味。我们很需要在这方面表现更多的意趣和活力。人人都应该为主说几句话，因为他们这样作，就必蒙福。记念册记载那些不停止聚会，而时常彼此谈论的人。余民得胜乃是藉着羔羊的血和他们所见证的道。有些人希望单靠羔羊的血，而自己不作任何特别的努力。我看到上帝赐给我们讲话的能力，乃是出于祂的慈爱。祂已经给了我们一个舌头，所以我们必须为使用这舌头的方法向上帝交代。我们应该用我们的嘴荣耀上帝，说尊荣真理的话，宣讲祂无限的慈爱并靠羔羊的宝血和我们所见证的道而得胜。--EW114.{PaM 185.1}[9]
§21
Meetings are interesting when everyone has something to say for the Lord—The Lord has shown me that great interest should be taken by Sabbathkeepers to keep up their meetings and make them interesting. There is great necessity of more interest and energy being manifested in this direction. All should have something to say for the Lord, for by so doing they will be blest. A book of remembrance is written of those who do not forsake the assembling of themselves together, but speak often one to another. The remnant are to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. Some expect to overcome alone by the blood of the Lamb, without making any special effort of their own. I saw that God has been merciful in giving us the power of speech. He has given us a tongue, and we are accountable to Him for its use. We should glorify God with our mouth, speaking in honor of the truth and of His unbounded mercy, and overcome by the word of our testimony through the blood of the Lamb.—Early Writings, 114.?{PaM 185.1}[9]
§22
见证要简短，并有帮助别人的作用--祷告和见证聚会应成为特别得到帮助和勉励的时辰。人人都应该觉得参加作见证乃是一种特权。凡佩有基督圣名的人都当在见证会中作证。所作的见证要简短，并有帮助别人的作用。最能彻底扑灭人敬虔精神的，莫过于一个人用二三十分钟时间作长篇见证了。这意味着聚会属灵生命的死亡。--GW171.{PaM 185.2}[10]
§23
Testimonies should be short and of a nature to help others—The prayer and social meeting should be a season of special help and encouragement. All should feel it a privilege to take part. Let every one who bears the name of Christ have something to say in the social meeting. The testimonies should be short, and of a nature to help others. Nothing will so completely kill the spirit of devotion as for one person to take up twenty or thirty minutes in a long testimony. This means death to the spirituality of the meeting.—Gospel Workers, 171.?{PaM 185.2}[10]
§24
冷淡的祷告和冗长的见证给祷告会投下阴影--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。--2T578.{PaM 185.3}[11]
§25
Cold prayers and long testimonies cast a shadow over the prayer meeting—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.—Testimonies for the Church 2:578.?{PaM 185.3}[11]
§26
不要将没精打采，抱怨的精神带进祷告会——许多祷告和见证就像一块干海绵缺乏水分一样缺少上帝的精神。因为没有耶稣住在心中，就使得祷告会冷淡而无生气，也难怪信徒会害怕这样的时辰了。不要将没精打采，抱怨的精神带进祷告会。不要彼此交流看看你能讲多悲伤的故事。有足够的内容可以谈论，毋须夹带一丝哀怨。当我们愿意像小孩子一样前来，意识到自己的软弱，乐意领受神圣教师的教导，我们的心灵就会充满耶稣的爱，就必渴望讲论祂无比的价值。我们就会停止谈论自己。我们的试练看起来就会小到都忘记提起。我们有很多福惠。我们要培养感恩的心，谈论上帝的良善。--ST1884.12.4{PaM 185.4}[12]
§27
Bring no dull, complaining spirit into the prayer meeting—Many prayers and testimonies are as destitute of the Spirit of God as a dry sponge is?of moisture; for there is no Jesus abiding in the heart. This makes the prayer-meeting cold and lifeless, and it is no wonder that children dread such seasons. Bring no dull, complaining spirit into the prayer-meeting. Do not compare notes to see how sorrowful a story you can tell. There is enough to talk about without raising one doleful strain. When we are willing to come as little children, conscious of our own weakness, and willing to be instructed by the Divine Teachers, our hearts will be filled with the love of Jesus, and we shall long to speak of his matchless worth. We shall cease to talk of self. Our trials will look so small that we shall forget to mention them. We have many blessings. Let us cultivate gratitude, and talk of the goodness of God.—The Signs of the Times, December 4, 1884.?{PaM 185.4}[12]