Home昔日真理報2015年 真理報文章2015 年 1 月【開卷有益】 為你成年的孩子禱告

【開卷有益】 為你成年的孩子禱告

 

Book一心以為孩子長大成人,大學畢業之後找到工作,做父母的總算鬆一口氣,因為責任完結了,可以去做以前一直想做,卻因為忙著養兒育女而沒時間做的事。

誰知對子女的牽掛卻沒完沒了的縈繞心頭,不管他們歲數有多大,長得有多高,離我們是遠是近,父母總是關心他們過得好不好,一日三餐是否正常,晚上是否遲遲不肯上床睡覺,工作有沒有困難,壓力是否過大,與同事相處是否和諧......。

子女長大了,擔心的問題反而更多、更深重、更複雜。曾榮獲美國基督教書商協會金牌獎的史多美.奧瑪森(Stormie Omartian)最新力作的《如何為你成年的孩子禱告》(The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children)把家有成年子女父母的心聲和盤托出,不但引起讀者的共鳴,更為憂心忡忡的父母帶來一點安慰與盼望。

她在書中鼓勵父母把憂慮交託給上帝,相信祂會垂聽我們為孩子所作的禱告,因此而改變孩子的生命,讓父母安心放心,她更斷言:除了禱告,別無他法!

奧瑪森所寫的「如何禱告」系列叢書,英文版至今已銷售超過八百萬冊,包括《如何為你的丈夫禱告》、《如何為你的妻子禱告》、《如何為你的孩子禱告》和本書,讓無數心感沮喪的讀者再度藉著禱告來到上帝面前,重新建立和修復與家人的關係。

記得孩子年幼的時候,父母常常很自然地為孩子禱告,祈求上帝使他健康成長、專心學習、認識上帝、遠離惡事、展現美好人生。可是孩子長大了,開始獨立生活以後,做父母的,以為可以放手了,一時之間,卻不懂得怎樣為他們禱告。

家裡有成年子女的父母最清楚不過,父母的責任永遠不會有結束的一天。不論他們在那裡、做甚麼,你總是會日日夜夜懸念著他們,擔心他們的安全與掙扎、他們的害怕與軟弱、他們的成敗與得失、他們的選擇與錯誤。他們快樂,你就快樂;他們痛苦,你也痛苦。彼此憂戚與共,悲喜相連。

為甚麼孩子長大成人,父母的顧慮反而更加深重?不容否認,今時今日大學畢業、剛步入社會的年輕人,要面對的挑戰確實比起他們父母那一代要嚴峻得多。當世界變得越來越混亂,自己心愛的孩子就置身在這個容易受到污染的環境之中,每日竭力與世俗文化抗衡,抵擋毒品、金錢、色情、權勢的強大誘惑,怎不叫做父母的一顆心忐忑不安。

孩子還小的時候,當然也會遇上很多意想不到的狀況和問題,但因為在同一屋簷下,父母可以為他們作出較為明智的決定,並竭盡所能地照顧和保護;孩子成年之後,我們卻無從干涉他們的選擇,即使我們預見事情的後果,並為此付上沉重的代價,我們也無能為力,因為一切好像都不在父母的掌握之中。

作成年孩子的父母一點也不容易,我們很難確定該為他們做甚麼,或不該為他們做甚麼?甚麼時候介入,甚麼時候放手?對他們的期望是太高還是太低?太嚴苛還是太寬容?

世上沒有完美的父母,只有天上的父親最完全,你我都是祂的成年孩子,我們深深知道祂在教養我們的過程中遇過多少麻煩,祂總是耐心地等著我們回頭、活出祂的旨意。祂是最好的父親,惟有祂能幫助我們成為孩子最好的父母。

雖然我們無法改變兒女生命中的任何一件事,但藉著禱告,上帝可以改變孩子的心。為孩子禱告,並不是要告訴上帝該做甚麼,而是要與上帝同工,去完成上帝在孩子身上的作為。

無論孩子有多大,不間斷地為孩子禱告,就是邀請上帝介入孩子的生命中,因為上帝愛你和你的孩子,祂會垂聽父母至真至誠的禱告,只有祂能救你脫離一切的恐懼,也只有祂能供應你和孩子的一切所需,不論你和孩子面臨的困難有多大,上帝的能力可以幫助你超越任何的困難。將為孩子的憂慮卸下,交給上帝,讓祂和你一同締造孩子的燦爛人生。

 

      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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