Home昔日真理報2013年 真理報文章2013 年 9 月【開卷有益】 祈禱萬花筒--從聖經角度看祈禱

【開卷有益】 祈禱萬花筒--從聖經角度看祈禱

 

Book《上帝聽禱告》曾是一首深受歡迎的福音詩歌,無論你是否一個基督徒,心裡總是期盼上帝會聆聽我們的心聲、傾訴和祈求。

楊文立牧師所寫的《祈禱萬花筒--66個聖經角度看祈禱》,讓讀者重新認識祈禱的藝術和學問,透過聖經中不同人物禱告的經歷,體會上帝的豐盛,同時發現至尊至榮的上帝竟然願意與人對話,還不時答應我們一些看似可笑甚至不可能的要求。

上帝聽禱告不僅是一個期盼,在聖經中上帝答允禱告的例子隨處可見。最令人震驚的一個禱告,是約書亞帶領以色列人攻取迦南地其中一場重要的戰役,約書亞祈求日頭、月亮要停住,好讓國民有更多時間撃退敵人,聖經如此記載:「在這日以前,這日以後,耶和華聽人的禱告,沒有像這日的。」

上帝不單只關注國家民族的安危,祂也顧念個人的想望和切身感受。祂垂聽一個受人欺凌的不育婦人哈拿的哀求,賜她一個兒子,滿足她為人母親的渴想。病得要死的猶大王希西家向上帝禱告,上帝看見他的眼淚,便答應醫治他,並增加他十五年的壽命,更以日影往後退十度作為憑証,確保上帝的承諾,絕不反悔。

聖經裡多次記述了上帝與人對話,在不同的處境之中,讓人體會上帝對人深厚的關懷與愛顧。上帝決定要毀滅罪惡之城所多瑪和蛾摩拉,亞伯拉罕知道之後,竟然膽敢跟上帝討價還價,只要城中還有義人,祂定必應允,撤回剿滅的酷刑。上帝對人一再忍讓,而且滿腔憐憫,竟然到了如斯地步,怎不叫人感到震撼!只可惜人執迷不悔,拒絕回轉,自招滅亡!

在很多人的腦海之中,上帝彷如一個霸道的君主,總喜歡一意孤行,沒有商量的餘地,可是從聖經人物個別與上帝的交談和互動之中,得見上帝樂於與人對談溝通。就像猶太人的領袖摩西,與上帝面對面說話,毫無阻隔;大衛王向上帝傾心吐意,盡訴心中情;基甸一而再的請求上帝給他明証,好確定上帝真的揀選了他,承擔拯救猶太人的重任。上帝也不厭其煩,依照他的所求,一一做到。

還有數不清的事蹟說明上帝實在聽到人的心聲,即或只是一道輕輕的歎息,也會牽動祂憐憫的心腸,為此而作出回應。有時甚至因為人的訴求,改變祂的心意。上帝對人的恩情,在此表露無遺。

禱告是上帝給人的一份賞賜,我們應該好好珍惜。不必懷疑上帝會不會聽禱告,會不會應允人的祈求。因為禱告的重點從來不應著眼於自己和他人的需要,就像向上帝開列一張購物清單,請求祂為我們照單取藥。

上帝倒喜歡我們常常來到祂面前,與祂交談,向祂陳明我們的心意,與祂建立親密的關係。在安靜禱告中,讓人明白,上帝就是上帝,祂擁有最高的主權可以主宰一切,我們固然可以坦率地告訴祂我們的期望,但絕不強求,也不會橫蠻無理地強迫上帝遷就我們,只一味急功近利,要求得償所願。

使徒保羅也曾祈求上帝除去他身上一根痛苦的刺,上帝的回應是:「我的恩典夠你用,因為我的能力,是在人的軟弱上顯得完全。」祂承諾祂的恩典必不會離開,並且賜下充足的能力、信心和勇氣,足以應付人生的種種困難和挑戰,更能體會上帝深不可測的智慧和厚愛。

在耶穌的生命裡,我們時常看到祂在禱告,無論是公開場合,或是清晨時份退到曠野去禱告;歡樂時禱告,哀傷時也禱告,隨時隨地與天父上帝對話,禱告之中不僅是祈求,更是明白上帝心意的時刻。

最讓人感動的,是耶穌也為我們祈求。祂在離世之前,為著祂所愛的人情詞迫切的祈求天父保守他們,常在上帝的愛裡。倘若我們不幸遇上苦楚,感到孤單失落的時候,請不要忘記:上帝的兒子耶穌為我們在上帝面前切切的禱告,還有甚麼值得擔憂的呢?祂明白我們的遭遇,了解我們的困境,更時刻祈求上帝的保護和施恩、安慰和指引,豈不是讓我們安心又放心地倚靠祂引領我們的前路嗎!

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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