Home昔日真理報2014年 真理報文章2014 年 10 月【開卷有益】 禱告與上帝相遇

【開卷有益】 禱告與上帝相遇

 

book小孩子也懂得禱告就是向天父上帝說話,對於很多基督徒來說,禱告就像呼吸一樣自然,隨時隨地,有需要的時候就向上帝傾訴、祈求和感恩!

只是,單方面說話並不能建立良好的溝通。因此,北美著名的靈修學大師傅士德(Richard J. Foster)以自己的親身體驗,鼓勵信徒進入更深層次的學習,在禱告中聆聽上帝的聲音,與上帝對話,更親近地接觸那位創造我們的上帝。

三十年前,傅士德因為《屬靈操練禮讚》(Celebration of Discipline)而一舉成名,喚醒了許多沉睡的基督徒,開始認真地看待自己的信仰,直至今天,廣大的讀者依然深受激勵。在近期出版的《聆聽的禱告》(Sancturay of the Soul—journey into meditative prayer)一書中,傅士德採用親切真誠的口吻、輕鬆短小的篇幅、簡單實用的方法,來探討靜默禱告這個看似深奧而又玄妙的主題。

我們常常以為上帝離我們很遠,祂的心意難尋難測,其實剛好相反,傅士德在這本書一開始,就告訴讀者:上帝是多麼盼望與我們同在,多麼渴望與我們說話,多麼期盼與我們交往。祂熱切地想要與人擁有親密的聯繫,而我們只能靠靜默的禱告,與上帝互動溝通。

聖經記載了許多上帝與人交談的事例:亞當和夏娃、該隱和亞伯、挪亞、亞伯拉罕、雅各、摩西、撒母耳......還有很多數之不盡的士師和先知,當中也有一些尋常普通的小人物,親身經歷與上帝對談的情景。大量的事實讓我們看見上帝的確曾主動地向人說話、行動、教導和指引。

聆聽上帝的聲音絕對不是虛無抽象的神秘經驗,傅士德認為安靜等候與上帝對話是根源於聖經的基礎之上。耶穌曾清楚說明,祂的羊認識祂的聲音。專心跟從上帝的人會從聖經之中熟習上帝的一貫作風、了解祂的性情、認識祂做事的原則和方向,就像嬰兒也能很快分辨出父母的聲音,只有聽到這樣一把與他關係密切的聲音,便自然感到滿足、安全和愉悅。

另一位靈修神學家魏樂德(Dallas Willard)也指出:「上帝的聲音有某些要素可資辨認,就像我們能辨認其他人的聲音一樣。」他接著解釋三個上帝聲音的特殊要素,包括:上帝的音質、上帝的語氣和上帝說話的內容。

上帝的音質是一股平靜安穩的力量,祂不會跟你爭辯,也不會嘗試說服你,祂只是在說話,祂本身就證明祂是真實的。

上帝的語氣實在而篤定,帶著喜樂、令人折服,帶著純全美善的旨意,這就是耶穌的語氣。

上帝說話的內容總會符合真理,符合聖經所啟示有關祂的本性,祂絕不會引導我們去做那些與祂本質和一貫教導相違背的事。這就是為甚麼我們必須要熟習聖經,能夠掌握整本聖經要旨,對我們正確無誤地聆聽祂的聲音是如此重要了。

除了聖經之外,上帝也透過大自然對我們說話。諸天述說上帝的榮耀,穹蒼傳揚祂的作為,日與夜不停地發出言語和知識,祂的聲音通遍天下,祂的言語傳到地極。在祟山崚嶺之間,海浪洶湧之際,強勁疾風之下,成千上萬不同種類的生物自得其樂地散發生命的異彩,構成一個奇妙而又令人讚歎的景象。每天環繞著我們的天然生態,讓我們在祂的受造物之中發現上帝,不停地向我們述說祂豐富無比的智慧和創意。

因此,不要錯過聆聽上帝聲音的機會,讓上帝親自向我們展現祂自己。傅士德在本書結語中邀請讀者:「歡迎進入上帝慈愛的客廳,我們可以穿上舒適的舊拖鞋,自由地分享;歡迎進入上帝友善的廚房,在那裡可以邊聊天邊料理;歡迎來到上帝能力的餐廳,我們可以心滿意足地飽得餵養;歡迎來到上帝智慧的書房,我們可以舒展、成長,也提出所有的問題;歡迎來到上帝創造的工作室,我們可以與祂一起同工,歡迎進入上帝安息的臥室,在那裡可以找到新的平安。」

上帝正展開雙臂,要把我們擁入懷裡,祂的心寬廣,接納我們綽綽有餘,歡迎所有人回到上帝的家,耶穌是進入這家的入口,而禱告就是這家的鑰匙,歡迎回家。

 

      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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