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2022-12-24

 
全方位的禱告 以弗所書6:18-20

聖經歸正教會主日證道|以弗所書系列|11/13/2022|呂沛淵牧師
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn493ThDwA4
 
前言: 使徒保羅論述屬靈爭戰的全副軍裝,說完六合一的各項裝備之後,講到「多方禱告祈求」的重要,這是全書後半「實踐生活」(4-6)的最高峰。「禱告」本身不是全副軍裝的一部分,乃是穿戴全副軍裝的方式與氛圍,是基督徒生活爭戰的能力。因為真實的禱告是在聖靈中,使我們倚賴主基督的大能大力,得以剛強且站立得穩(3:14-17, 20)。所以,主基督的精兵是以多方(全方位)禱告all prayer來穿戴全副軍裝,從事屬靈爭戰。
 
. 以弗所書論禱告
 
1. 保羅領受神的話,是聖靈的啟示,寫下以弗所書,書中是以「禱告」為框架: 1:3-14頌讚,1:15-23感謝祈求,3:14-21代禱。這也是保羅發自內心的頌讚、感恩、代禱,見證出保羅的禱告生活,「我在父面前屈膝」是系統的操練,產生禱告的大能果效。
 
2. 保羅在6:18解釋禱告,是聖經中最精簡扼要的敘述。其中「隨時、多方、儆醒不倦、眾聖徒」,原文都是以「全all」此字來表達,所以「禱告」是全方位的。對照平行經文,歌羅西書4:2-4,顯示以弗所書6:18-20是更全面的講解禱告,核心是「在聖靈中」,內容是「多方」,時間是「隨時」,心態是「儆醒不倦」,代禱對象是「眾聖徒」,目的是「得著口才,放膽傳講福音」。
 
. 隨時多方禱告祈求
 
1.「靠著聖靈、隨時多方禱告祈求」through all prayer and supplication, praying on every occasion in the Spirit, 原文作: 藉著各樣禱告和祈求,在每一時候,禱告在聖靈中。動詞是「禱告」praying繼續進行狀態,連結前面14節主動詞「站穩」stand, 表示我們是藉著禱告才能站立得穩。
2. 「隨時」是指在每一時候,禱告不是暫時的行動,乃是我們恆常的生活方式,與神不斷的團契交談,是活在神面前,面對面的談心。因此禱告是與天父有親密關係,用言語表達心聲(3:14-15),這是經歷與神同在,在施恩寶座前的傾訴(4:16),你的心專屬於主,其他事物排除在外。這是進入內室的禱告,不是作秀報告給人聽,也不是用許多重複話自我洗腦,乃是真心誠意地向暗中的父禱告(6:5-8)。主禱文是主教導我們當如何真誠禱告,是我們學習禱告的模範,更是我們禱告的根基和框架。
 
3. 「靠著聖靈」原文作「在聖靈中」,真實的禱告是在聖靈裡(20),因為我們的心靈在聖靈中,按照真理來敬拜神(4:24),我們倚靠聖靈充滿,靠著聖靈行事來禱告(5:18-21; 5:24-25)。我們的軟弱有聖靈幫助,禱告不是倚賴自己的想法和力量,乃是倚靠聖靈的智慧和大能(8:26-27)。被聖靈充滿,等同於被基督的話充滿(西3:16),所以我們禱告時,是被聖靈照明我們心中的眼睛(1:17-18),按照主基督的話,來省察我們的思想、情感、意志,使我們的心被神的話教導、督責、歸正、學義,來遵行神的旨意(提後3:16-17)
 
4. 以弗所書論述聖靈在神子民生命中的工作,是我們得救的印記,得基業的憑據,照明我們的心眼,使我們能來到父神面前,父神藉著聖靈住在我們裡面,聖靈啟示福音的奧秘,使我們裡面的人剛強起來,賜給我們合而為一的心,引導我們過成聖的生活,我們被聖靈充滿學習彼此順服(1:13, 14, 17, 18; 2:18, 22; 3:5, 16; 4:3, 4, 30; 5:18)。所以,我們是活在聖靈中,在聖靈裡禱告,來穿戴全副軍裝。總之,禱告是宣告神的主權,倚靠神的應許,遵行神的旨意。
 
5.「多方禱告祈求」,禱告是總稱,祈求指求告所需。多方是指各樣的禱告: 敬拜讚美、認罪、感恩、祈求,各樣禱告都是以兒女的心來到阿爸父面前,以虔誠敬畏之心來到施恩寶座前。我們的主基督是坐在天上寶座上,已經得勝一切執政的、掌權的、有能的、主治的、和一切有名的(1:21),所以我們的禱告是注目仰望那榮耀尊貴的主基督,使他榮耀的恩典得著稱讚。
 
. 儆醒不倦,為眾聖徒代禱
 
1. 「並要在此儆醒不倦,為眾聖徒祈求」and to that end watching in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, 「在此」原文「以此為目的」into it, for this purpose, 指在聖靈裡禱告,「儆醒」keeping alert是保持清醒,不要睡覺,這是繼續進行狀態的動詞,與「禱告」相同,儆醒和禱告是緊密關聯的(21:36),儆醒禱告免得入了試探的迷惑(14:34-38),謹慎儆醒祈禱,預備等候主的再來(13:33-37)。所以,在這黑暗的世代,我們不可沉睡,要儆醒禱告(帖前5:5-8; 13:11-14),儆醒才能在真道上站立得穩(林前16:13)。萬物的結局近了,所以謹慎自守儆醒禱告(彼前4:7)。儆醒才能防備獅子和豺狼(彼前5:8; 20:31),啟示錄提醒我們要儆醒,堅固那將要衰微的,看守義袍,免得赤身而羞恥(3:2-3; 16:15)
 
2. 如何儆醒? 乃是不倦的儆醒,「不倦」原文作「以全然的恆久忍耐」,恆久忍耐指堅持到底,此詞也譯作: 恆切,恆心,專心(1:14; 2:42; 6:4),恆常伺候(10:7)。儆醒禱告必須恆切,不可灰心(18:1)。有時我們開始禱告,經過一段長期的等候,才得到答案(10),這是屬靈爭戰,仇敵的抵擋攻擊,考驗我們是否儆醒。我們要效法保羅,他儆醒禱告且不住的感謝神(1:16),他勸勉我們要恆切的禱告(12:12; 西4:2),不住的禱告(帖前5:17)。我們當恆常以禱告頌讚為祭物,獻給神(13:15)
 
3.「為眾聖徒祈求」是為所有聖徒祈禱,以弗所書說教會中子民是聖徒,要親愛眾聖徒,我們是與眾聖徒同國,和眾聖徒一同明白主基督的愛,造就成全眾聖徒,生活行為要合乎聖徒的體統(1:1, 12; 2:19; 3:8, 18; 4:12; 5:3),在此說要為眾聖徒禱告。保羅常常為眾聖徒(1:16; 林後9:14; 1:4; 西1:9; 4:12; 帖前3:10),雅5:14-16說我們要互相代求,義人(教會中的聖徒)的代求是大有功效的。所以,我們是與眾聖徒一同祈求(6:9),也是為眾聖徒祈求,從本地教會到海外教會,為主的國度禱告,這正是主禱文所教導我們的(6:9-13)
 
. 也為主基督的使者祈求
 
1. 保羅也要求以弗所聖徒為他祈禱:「也為我祈求」,保羅在書信中常常請眾聖徒為他代求(1:19; 帖前5:25; 帖後3:1)。雖然他是大有能力的使徒,然而他也會軟弱,有時在逼迫苦難中而失望,有時孤單懼怕,經歷人生各樣的失望(林後1:3-11),所以他需要弟兄姊妹的代禱。然而他請大家為他禱告的內容,並非個人的身體得醫治,工作的收入,家人的需要,或是從坐監得釋放。他請眾聖徒代求的,就是他所切慕所盼望的: 沒有一件事叫他羞愧(害怕有失福音的託付),凡事放膽,總叫主基督在他身上照常顯大,無論是生是死(1:19-20)
 
2. 所以保羅的代禱事項是; 「使我得著口才,能以放膽開口講明福音的奧祕」that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, in boldness to make known the mystery of the gospel, 傳講福音的奧秘,是他從神所領受的使徒職分,得著福音奧秘的啟示,要將主基督的榮耀福音,傳給外邦人(3:1-9; 26:18)。他要以弗所信徒為他代求兩件事: (1)得著話語(口才)開口(51:15),這並非指高言大智,乃是指聖靈所指教的言語,大能改變人心的信息,保羅深知他不是靠言語,乃是倚靠聖靈的大能將人心奪回。歸向主基督(林前2:4-5; 林後10:3-5; 帖前1:5; 2:13); (2)放膽講明福音(帖前2:2),我們在主基督裡靠主放膽無懼傳福音(3:12)。雖然惡者善用詭計來威嚇傳講福音的使者,保羅穿戴全副軍裝站立得穩,抵擋惡者的攻擊。這些攻擊逼迫來自外在世界以及教會內部,真道的傳講使自我中心的信徒,因自尊心受損而起來抵擋牧者。神的話顯明了人心的真相,悔改歸正的信徒愛慕真道,不悔改的教徒恨惡傳真道者。保羅深知神的道是聖靈的寶劍,擊殺惡者; 神的道也是屬天大醫生主基督的手術刀,割除我們生命中的毒瘤。
 
3. 「我為這福音的奧祕、作了帶鎖鍊的使者」for which I am an ambassador in chains, 保羅說明自己是主基督的使者,勸世人與神和好(林後5:20),「使者」是大使的意思,代表祖國出使外邦,為祖國作見證。保羅是天國的大使,在今世為主基督作見證傳福音,你我也都是主基督的使者,傳講天國的福音。然而這個世界抵擋福音,逼迫主基督的使者保羅,他此時在羅馬坐監,作了主基督被囚的,為主被囚的(3:1; 4:1; 西4:3; 1, 9),「我……作了帶鎖鍊的使者」,外邦國度的大使頸繫金鍊,手戴玉環,而主基督的大使保羅手腳被鎖鍊銬住,在羅馬皇帝法庭宣揚主基督的福音,為主受苦,真是何等的榮耀!
 
4. 「並使我照著當盡的本分、放膽講論」that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak, 保羅身為主基督的使者,所當盡的本分是在福音中放膽傳揚,因為這福音已經託付了我們(林前9:16-17),「放膽講論」意思是全然釋放的傳講,此動詞在使徒行傳中出現七次,都是敘述保羅放膽傳福音作見證(9:27, 29; 13:46; 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; 26:26),帖前2:2說保羅如何在大爭戰中,放膽傳福音。如今保羅在羅馬坐監,也是放膽講論神國的道,沒有人能攔阻(28:31)。如今他請以弗所聖徒為他祈求,使他繼續放膽講論,盡忠職守,將主基督的福音奧秘發明出來(西4:4)。主基督在我們心裡成了有榮耀的盼望(西1:27),我們既有這盼望,就大膽講說(林後3:12)
 
結論
1. 以弗所書6:18-20論述禱告祈求的六要項,可從金三角來說明: (1)準則是隨時、多方禱告祈求,(2)心態是在聖靈中,倚靠聖靈,儆醒不倦,(3)在處境中,為眾聖徒祈求,特別是為主基督的使者。禱告祈求的主要目的是,求主使眾聖徒活出福音,使傳福音的使者放膽的傳講。總之,真實的禱告是先求神的國和神的義(6:33)。你的禱告是否如此呢?
 
2. 因為眾聖徒為保羅祈求,使他能繼續放膽傳講福音,到最後殉道時,他在羅馬第二次坐監,在皇帝該撒法庭上放膽講論主基督的福音,他靠主恩典加給他力量,使福音被他盡都傳明,叫外邦人都聽見(提後4:17)。凡這樣放膽傳講福音的人,都需要代禱。今日傳講真道福音的傳道人,都需要許多代禱。你是否忠心恆切的為他們禱告呢?
 
3. 穿戴神所賜的全副軍裝,倚賴主基督的大能大力,靠著聖靈來禱告祈求,這是屬靈爭戰得勝的關鍵。我們在聖靈中禱告,因為聖靈在替我們祈求(8:26-27),帶領我們在父面前屈膝,呼叫阿爸天父(3:14-16; 8:14-16)。主基督在天上寶座上為我們祈求,使我們蒙拯救到底,我們永不滅亡,並且得勝有餘(8:34-37; 7:25; 10:28-30)。所以,我們隨時來到施恩的寶座前禱告祈求,凡事藉著禱告祈求,以感謝的心,將你的需求告訴天父,他所賜的平安是出人意外的,必在主基督裡保守我們的心懷意念(4:4-7)
 
問題討論
1. 我們禱告必須倚靠聖靈,原因何在? 如何解釋「靠著聖靈禱告祈求」? 你能舉出經文證明麼? 你若不是在聖靈中禱告,則是自說自話,原因何在?
2. 「隨時」禱告是甚麼意思? 你是否隨時禱告? 你每天禱告的時間有多少? 「多方」禱告是甚麼意思? 為何說這是全方位的禱告? 你的禱告範圍為何? 是否全方位呢?
3. 「儆醒」所指為何? 常與「禱告」連在一起,有哪些經文證明? 「不倦」是甚麼意思? 你的禱告是否恆久忍耐,堅持到底? 你的祈求尚未得到答案,是否感到灰心呢? 你當如何面對靈命沉睡而不想禱告的光景?
4. 「為眾聖徒祈求」是甚麼意思? 你有為眾聖徒祈求麼? 祈求的內容是什麼? 你的代禱範圍,除了家人親友外,還有為誰? 你有特別為傳道人禱告麼?
5. 保羅說「也為我祈求」,原因何在? 他稱自己是「帶鎖鍊的使者」,原因為何? 他請眾聖徒為他祈求的內容是甚麼? 你請別人為你代求,內容是甚麼呢? 與保羅的代禱事項有何差異? 原因何在? 當如何悔改歸正?
6. 禱告的六要項是哪些? 你能從金三角來解釋麼? 真實的禱告是根據我們與三一真神的關係,你能舉出經文來說明禱告的真諦麼? 你是否隨時來到施恩寶座前禱告呢?
 

2020-07-24


督徒的祷告Christian Prayer

作者 Hywel R. Jones  译者/校对者Joshua Jin/ 骆鸿铭

祷告是世上一切宗教的特征,也是那些比较朴实的宗教的特征。因为人是按照上帝的形象被造的,并且多少意识到自己欠了那些更高存在或能力的债。旧约记载了异教徒祈求帮助,或者为得到了帮助而谢恩的例子。比如非利士人(士 16:23-24),巴力的先知(王上 18:25-26)和约拿船上的水手(拿 1:5)。我们这个社会的宗教多元化并不意味着所有的祷告都是大同小异的和正确的。并非如此!基督徒的祷告是独一无二的,基督徒应当通过他们祷告的方式阐明这点。
Prayer is a feature of all world religions and also those of a more homespun variety. This is because human beings are made in the image of God and have some awareness of being indebted and accountable to some higher being or power. Pagan petitions for aid and thanksgiving for help are recorded in the Old Testament; for example, the Philistines (Judg. 16:23-24), the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:25-26), and the sailors on Jonah’s ship (Jon. 1:5). But this does not mean that our religiously pluralistic society is correct in regarding all prayer as being much the same. It is not! Christian prayer is unique, and Christians should make that clear by the manner in which they pray.

主耶稣以一种具有鉴别力和权威的方式谈到了祷告。祂劝阻跟随者不要像犹太领袖和外邦人那样祷告(太 6:5-7),因为上帝既不会被面具所蒙骗,也不会受咒语所压迫。相反,祂告诉门徒,祷告是“奉 []  的名向天父祈求”,并补充说,他们当时还没有这样祈求(约 15:1616:23-24)。这是很惊人的,因为门徒在某种程度上很熟悉旧约圣经和犹太会堂的敬拜;基督又教导他们,祷告时该说什么,以及如何说(路 11:1-1318:1-14)。“奉[]  的名向天父祈求”,既和当时的宗教习俗不同,也和敬虔犹太人的祷告方式不同,比如施洗约翰的父亲和其他人那样(路 1:67-79)。祷告显然也不是向耶稣问问题而已(约 14-16章)。
The Lord Jesus spoke about prayer in a discriminating and authoritative way. He discouraged followers from praying as the Jewish leaders and the Gentiles did (see Matt. 6:5-7), because God is neither deceived by masks nor pressured by mantras. Instead, he told them that prayer was “asking the Father in [his] name” and added that this was something they had not yet done (John 15:16; 16:23, 24). This is striking because they were to some extent familiar with the Old Testament and synagogue worship, and he had also taught them what to say in prayer and how to say it (Luke 11:1-13; 18:1-14). “Asking the Father in [his] name” was neither the same as the religious practices of the day nor the prayers of godly Jews like the father of John the Baptist and others (Luke 1:67-79). It was certainly not the same as asking him questions (John 14-16).

耶稣在马可楼(Upper Room,译者注:最后的晚餐所使用的地点)解释了祷告的特殊之处,祂用了“直到如今”,“等不多时”,“时候将到”这样的表达。这些提法指向那不可重复的时刻,就是耶稣的死和复活将标志旧约的结束和新约的开始,以及圣灵要浇灌在所有信徒的身上。“那一日”追溯到旧约先知所预言的“耶和华的日子”,祂亲自介入,审判仇敌,拯救祂的百姓。耶稣也称此为“时候将到”(约 16:25),指向祂在十字架上的死和祂的升高(约 7:308:2012:232713:117:1),或由此产生的结果(约 5:28-29)。上帝的时钟最后一刻要敲响,“末了”要开始,并且它要更新我们的祷告。
Jesus explained what was special about it in the Upper Room, using the expressions “until now,” “a little while,” and “that day or hour.” These references point to that unrepeatable occasion when the death and resurrection of Jesus would mark the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all believers. “In that day” harkens back to the Old Testament prophets’ predictions of the “Day of the Lord,” of his personal intervention to judge his foes and save his people. Jesus also described this as “the hour” (v. 25), which refers to his death on the cross and the exaltation as bound up with it (7:30; 8:20; 12:23, 27; 13:1; and 17:1;), or the consequences deriving from it (5:28-29). The last hour on God’s clock would shortly strike. The “end” would begin’and it would renovate prayer.

新时期的祷告
A New Day of Prayer

这个新时期不仅与圣子救赎的完成紧密相连,也由圣灵带来更大启示的新纪元。耶稣对门徒这样保证,说道:“到那日,你们要奉我的名祈求”,那时候祂不再用比喻对他们说话,而是“将父明明地告诉他们”(26节)。五旬节有大光照亮门徒,使他们明白耶稣过去的教导(14:26),以及之前祂没有教导他们的(16:13-15)。上帝作为父亲这一更为清楚和全面的启示,要带领他们思想在圣子耶稣里所启示出来的上帝,并在此光照下向祂祷告。圣灵会让他们悟性得以增强,忧伤得以除去,经历更深处的平安和更高的喜乐。
This new day was not only bound up with the accomplishment of redemption by the Son, but it also brought in an era of greater revelation by the Spirit. Jesus guaranteed this to his disciples with the words, “You will ask in my name” on “that day,” when he would no longer speak to them in parables but “tell them plainly about the Father” (v. 26). At Pentecost a greater light began to shine for the disciples on Jesus’ past teaching (see 14:26) and what he had not been able to teach them before (see 16:13-15). This clearer and fuller revelation of God as Father would lead them to think of God as revealed in his Son Jesus, and to pray to him in that light. The Holy Spirit would enlarge their understanding, remove their sadness, deepen their peace, and heighten their joy.

因此,基督徒的祷告是奉耶稣的名向天父祈祷。“名字”(Name)等同于主上帝的同在和随时地施行拯救。父差遣耶稣,祂的基督,因为耶稣来到世上是奉父的名而不是奉自己的名(见约 5:43)。所以奉耶稣的名向天父祈求,就是在尊祂为先知、祭司、君王,且是通过尊崇(adoration)、宣信(confession)、感恩(thanksgiving)、祈求(supplication)(编按:按照头韵可缩写为ACTS)来服侍主。约翰·加尔文把祷告和在基督中保里的信心联系起来,也和在福音里应许的圣灵的帮助联系起来:
Christian prayer is therefore praying to God as Father in the name of Jesus. “Name” is equivalent to the Lord God being present and active to save. Jesus is the sent one of the Father, his Christ, because he came in his Father’s name and not his own (see John 5:43). So to pray to the Father in his name is to crown him as Prophet, Priest, and King, and to serve him by way of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. John Calvin connects prayer with faith in Christ the mediator and also the aid of the Holy Spirit as promised in the gospel:

我们一切的需要和缺乏都在上帝里面,在主耶稣基督里,上帝乐意的一切丰盛都在我们的主耶稣基督里面(西 1:19 1:16)以至于我们所有人都可以汲取,就如同泉水满溢,并且就如信心是从福音而生的,我们的心被训练呼叫主名(罗 10:14-17)。圣灵证明我们被收养作儿女,作我们心中福音的见证(罗 8:16),又举起我们的灵,敢于向上帝呼求需要,激动我们心里说不出来的叹息(罗 8:26),并且出于信心呼叫,“阿爸,父”(罗 8:15)。
Whatever we need and whatever we lack is in God, and in our Lord Jesus Christ in whom the Father willed all the fullness of his bounty to abide (Col. 1:19; John 1:16) so that we may all draw from it as from an overflowing spring ‘¦[and] just as faith is born from the gospel, so through it our hearts are trained to call upon God’s name (Rom.10:14-17). And’¦ the Spirit of adoption, who seals the witness of the gospel in our hearts (Rom. 8:16) raises up our spirits to dare to show forth to God their desires, to stir up unspeakable groaning (Rom. 8:26) and confidently cry, “Abba! Father!” (Rom. 8:15).

圣灵的叹息
Groaning in the Spirit

所以基督徒的祷告从基督汲取满溢的泉水”,“(我们的灵被圣灵举起”,因为我们来到上帝面前以祂作我们的天父。这就是基督徒祷告的特点。这是两位职分迥异却互补的辩护者的职事,一位在上帝宝座前确保信徒可以达到天父面前(见约壹 2:12),另一位住在基督徒内里,确保他是上帝的孩子和继承产业的(罗 8:15-28)。基督的中保职分和圣灵的工作在旧约圣经中还是有幔子遮住的,但现在却是新约的标志,使门徒有勇气,使他可以藉着言语和叹息向上帝诉说万事。
Christian prayer, then, is “draw[ing] from [Christ] an overflowing spring” and having our “spirit raised” by the Holy Spirit as we come to God as our heavenly Father. This is what marks out Christian prayer. It is the consequence of the distinct but complementary ministries of two advocates, one before the throne of God in heaven for the believer guaranteeing access to God as Father (see 1 John 2:1, 2), and the other in the believer assuring him that he is a child and heir of God (Rom. 8:15-28). The mediation of the Son and the ministry of the Spirit were under a veil in the Old Testament, but they are the hallmark of the new covenant that emboldens the believer as he tells his heavenly Father everything with words and sighs.

许多时候那些深藏心底难以言表的想法只能藉着叹息,甚至有时候是眼泪来表达,这是由当下的痛苦引起的,这些痛苦影响了信徒、教会和世界。圣灵明白这种无法言说的语言,透过子向父翻译出来。加尔文说,圣灵“唤起我们内心的确信、渴望和叹息,去思考靠着我们自己的力量很难做到的”。根据英国清教徒约翰·欧文所言,这就是新约所说“在圣灵里祷告”的意思(弗 6:18)。
There are times when such thoughts will lie too deep for words and will only find vent in sighs and even tears occasioned by the sufferings of this present time as they affect the believer, the church, and the world. The Spirit understands this nonverbal language, and he translates it to the Father through the Son. Calvin says that the Spirit “arouses in us assurance, desires and sighs, to conceive which our natural powers would scarcely suffice.” According to the English Puritan John Owen, this is what is meant in the New Testament by “praying in the Spirit” (Eph. 6:18).

像上帝教导的那样祷告
Praying as He Taught Us

主祷文可被视为旧约圣经所有祷文的精华也是新约圣经甚至主来之前所有祷文的模型。所以谈一下该如何看待和使用主祷文是合适的。主祷文理所当然在基督教思想中占有重要地位海德堡要理问答和威斯敏斯特信仰告白里对它的阐释也有着巨大的价值正如改革宗作家赫尔曼·韦修斯Herman Witsius和汤姆·华森Thomas Watson所做的研究那样。关于公共崇拜中如何合适地使用主祷文的讨论无疑会继续下去,但毫无疑问的是,它应当被基督徒用来作为所有祷告的指南。加尔文的评论值得铭记:
The Lord’s Prayer can be regarded as a distillation of all prayers in the Old Testament and the mold for New Testament prayers’and all prayers until Christ returns. A word, then, about how the Lord’s Prayer should be regarded and used is appropriate. Rightfully, it has an important place in Christian thinking, and the exposition of it in the Heidelberg and Westminster Catechisms is of immense value, as are the studies of Reformed writers such as Herman Witsius and Thomas Watson. Discussion about the propriety of its use in public worship will doubtless continue, but there can be no doubt it should be used by Christians as a guide to all their praying. Calvin’s comment is well worth remembering:

这个祷文从各方面来看都如此完美以至于添加任何外在或外来的、与它不相干东西都是亵渎的也不配得到上帝的认可。因为在这个总结中上帝已经阐述了对于祂而言什么是有价值和可悦纳的对于我们而言什么是必要的实际上是祂乐意赐给我们的
This prayer is in all respects so perfect that any extraneous or alien thing added to it, which cannot be related to it, is impious and unworthy to be approved by God. For in this summary he has set forth what is worthy of him, acceptable to him, necessary for us’in effect, what he would willingly grant.

然而不该忘记的是,加尔文并没有把真实可悦纳的祷文局限在主祷文的形式之内。他承认圣经里还有许多其他的祷告词,“与主祷文大不相同”,但却是由同一位圣灵所写的,使用它们对我们非常有益。”加尔文还补充说,“许多祷告词是被同一位圣灵所启发的,它们在措词上和主祷文几乎没有相似之处”。最重要的因素是,尽管“措词完全不同”,但“精意并无二致”。
It should not be forgotten, however, that Calvin does not restrict true and acceptable prayer to its words as a form. He acknowledges that there are many other prayers in the Bible whose words are “far different from it ‘¦ yet composed by the same Spirit, the use of which is very profitable to us.” What is more, Calvin adds, “many prayers are suggested to believers by the same Spirit, which bear little similarity [to it] in wording.” The all-important factor is that the “sense does not vary” though “the words are utterly different.”

在圣灵里祷告
Praying in the Spirit

最后必须提到这个在圣灵里的祷告包括三个方面。很重要的是要指出基督徒的祷告:(1形式上体现三位一体;(2范围上的宽广;(3灵里像孩童般信任。尽管旧约圣经对以上几点并非完全沉默,但在新约圣经中,从《使徒行传》到《启示录》,能看得更清楚。它们在《使徒行传》4:22-30所记载的耶路撒冷教会的祷告中初现端倪,表明基督徒的祷告看起来就像旧约的祷告,只是被新约的事物和语言所过滤和填充了。
Three areas of this “praying in the Spirit” must be mentioned in conclusion. It is important to note that Christian prayer is: (1) Trinitarian in shape; (2) universal in scope; and (3) childlike in spirit. While the Old Testament is not silent on any of these, they can be seen to better advantage in the New Testament Scriptures from Acts to Revelation. They are incipiently present in the prayer of the church at Jerusalem recorded in Acts 4:22-30, which shows that Christian prayer looks just like Old Testament prayer, filtered, and filled out by new covenant realities and language.

1. 形式上体现三位一体
1. Trinitarian in Shape

当我们说我们的祷告在形式上体现三位一体的教义,我们的意思是:新约中的颂词、祝祷、祝愿和被记载下来的祷告词都是以这种方式为结构的,也形成了后来信条的表述。在这些祷告词中,首位的是我们透过圣子所祈祷的圣父,也会提到圣灵的工作,因我们乃是藉着圣灵才有能力祷告。在使徒们,彼得、约翰尤其是保罗的著作中,这都是标准的格式。保罗一般是靠着圣灵对圣父、圣子说话,他这样表述:“我们两下(犹太人和外邦人)藉着祂(耶稣基督)被一个圣灵所感,得以进到父面前”(弗 2:18);他也如此祝福:“愿主耶稣基督的恩惠,上帝的慈爱,圣灵的感动”(林后 13:14)。这是对“主”这个圣名的解释(祂在天上垂听祷告,祂降临世上拯救祂的子民,并带领他们挣脱捆绑到达流奶与蜜之地),但是它必须等候“那日子、那时辰”到来之后,一切才会变得清晰。
When we say that our prayers are “Trinitarian in shape,” we mean that the doxologies, benedictions, wishes, and recorded prayers of the New Testament are structured in such a way as to lead to later creedal formulation. In these prayers, primacy is given to the Father to whom we pray, through the Son, and with mention of the Spirit’s work, because it is by him that we are empowered to pray. This is standard in the writings of the apostles Peter, John, and especially Paul. The latter generally addresses the Father and the Son and does so by the Spirit, even laying down the declaration, “Through him [Jesus Christ] we both [Jew and Gentile] have access in one Spirit to the Father” (Eph. 2: 18); and it announces the benediction, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit” (2 Cor. 13:14). This is an explanation of the divine name “Lord” (the one who hears in heaven, comes down to save his people, and leads out of bondage into a land flowing with milk and honey), but it had to await the “hour and the day” before it could be made explicit.

2. 范围上的宽广
2. Universal in Scope

基督徒要为教会和其他基督徒祷告,这是毋庸置疑的。新约书信所记载的祷告就是明证。就连使徒约翰的话:“我不说当为这罪祈求”(约壹 5:16),也是在为犯罪的门徒祷告、激励他们的语境下出现的。但在这类的代祷中,世人也应该包括在内。旧约中并没有将上帝的良善和恩典仅仅局限在以色列人的范围之内:“耶和华善待万民,祂的慈悲覆庇祂一切所造的”(诗 145:9)。所有人都当向祂祈祷,尽管他们没有如此作,祂仍然“恩待那忘恩的和作恶的”(路 6:35);约伯、喇合、撒勒法的寡妇和尼尼微人都是这样的例子。但是在耶稣之后的年代,就更清楚了。上帝爱祂的仇敌(太 5:44-45)。祂差遣祂的儿子,为充满了将要灭亡的罪人的邪恶世界而死(约 3:16)。祂仁慈的关切和活动并不限于教会以内。因此,保罗敦促要为各式各样的人做更多种类的祷告,这与他想要把福音传给万国的愿望是一致的。福音应当白白地传给所有的人,无远弗届,为邻舍代祷的事工就支持这样的宣称。”这是好的,在上帝我们的救主面前可蒙悦纳。祂愿意万人得救,明白真道。“(提前 2:1-7
It goes without saying that Christians pray for churches and fellow believers. The prayers recorded in the New Testament Epistles are proof of this. Even John’s words, “I do not say that one should pray for that” (see 1 John 5:16), occur in the context of encouraging prayer for fellow Christians who sin. But the world is also to be included in such intercession. The Old Testament does not confine God’s goodness and grace to Israel alone: “The Lord is good to all and his mercy is over all that he has made” (Ps. 145:9). All people should pray to him, but even when they do not “he is kind to the unthankful and the evil” (Luke 6:35); Job and Rahab, the widow of Zarephath, and the Ninevites are all examples of this. But in Anno Domini, this is even plainer. God loves his enemies (Matt. 5:44-45). He sent his son to die for a bad world of perishing human beings (John 3:16). His benevolent concern and activity are not limited to the church. Paul therefore urges a great diversity of prayers for all sorts of people in keeping with his desire that the gospel should be made known to all the nations. The gospel is to be freely preached to all, far and wide, and a ministry of “neighborly” intercession supports such proclamation. “This is good and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior [benefactor] who desires all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (see 1 Tim. 2:1-7).

3. 灵里像孩童一般信任
3. Childlike in Spirit

基督徒的祷告有一个与众不同的特点,就是他们称上帝为“父”。旧约信徒有一颗谦卑、信靠的心,但上帝只是君王和国家的父(出 4:22;赛 63:16)。相比之下,耶稣赐给每个门徒称上帝为他们的父的权利(路 11:2;约 20:17),祂的灵也赐他们能力得以这样做(罗 8:15;加 4:6)。祂也给他们确实的应许,即上帝永远会垂听并回应他们的祷告!祂不会对儿女闭起耳朵,就像祂不会对那在天上坐在祂右边的、他们的长兄如此那样。圣父差遣圣子去招聚疏远的孩子们,带他们回家。因此祂会乐意听他们凭着信心和爱心呼求祂的名(无论他们用的是什么词汇、何种语言),并且积极地回应他们。
One feature of Christian prayer that distinguishes it from all others is that God is addressed as “Father.” Old Testament believers were humble and trusting, but God was only “Father” to the king and to the nation (Exod. 4:22 and Isa. 63:16). By contrast Jesus gives each believer the right to call his Father theirs (Luke 11:2 and John 20:17), and his Spirit enables them to do so (Rom. 8:15 and Gal. 4: 6). He also gives them the sure promise that God will hear and answer their prayers’always! He can no more turn a deaf ear to his children than he can to their Elder Brother who is at his right hand in heaven. The Father sent his Son to gather his estranged children and bring them home. He therefore delights to hear them call on his name in faith and love (whatever words they use and in whatever language) and to respond positively to them.

他们按照祂的圣言祈祷;祂则是照着自己的旨意回应。这二者没有太大的不同,因为上帝已经在祂的圣言里表达了祂的旨意,所以祂的儿女可以知道什么是祂所喜悦的。因此,他们在许多景况下可以确信,他们向上帝祈求的是祂愿意给的,且上帝也会这样做。他们知道天父已经为他们的一切需要做了充足的供应,而且祂也最知道什么时候该给什么。他们可以信靠祂,因为他们知道自己永远不会被丢弃成为孤儿,并且有一天他们要惊讶于自己不配得的祷告竟然得到了回应。
They pray according to his Word; he replies according to his will. These two are not diverse because he has expressed his will in his Word so his children may know what pleases him. They can therefore in so many cases be sure that they are asking the Father for what he wants to give them and that he will do so. They know that he has made abundant provision for all their needs and that he knows best what to give and when. They can trust because they know they will never be orphaned and one day they will be amazed at how their unworthy prayers have been answered.


在禱告中禱告 5:17-18

聖經歸正教會主日證道|雅各書系列|07/19/2020|呂沛淵牧師

前言:雅各說到「義人祈禱所發的力量,是大有功效的」,然後舉出眾所周知的以利亞為例證。以利亞是屬神的人,奉神之命說話,對抗亞哈王與耶洗別,中流砥柱的使命是艱鉅的。他是禱告的先知,先知的工作是專心祈禱與傳主的話,遵行神的吩咐。以利亞是懇切禱告的人,在迦密山上一人對抗巴力的假先知850人,禱告帶來火從天降,重挫偶像勢力;他又禱告求雨,雨從天降,解決乾旱。雅各書以他為榜樣,來勸勉我們禱告。

1. 以利亞的見證

(1) 雅各書中已經列舉了亞伯拉罕、喇合、約伯等舊約人物,現在提出先知以利亞。以利亞名字意義是「耶和華是真神,是我的神」,主耶和華是自有永有的獨一真神,再也沒有別神。這是禱告的出發點,宣告且倚靠獨一真神的主權。

(2) 禱告是按照聖經,尋求明白神的旨意,照著神的旨意祈求,遵行主的吩咐。根據王上17-18章,以利亞照著主的吩咐,去見亞哈。亞哈恨惡以利亞,但又畏懼他。正如希律,既是憎惡施洗約翰,將他下監,又不敢殺他(14:1-12;可6:14-29)

(3) 你應當作今日的以利亞與約翰:懇切禱告,忠心傳講主的話,作為主耶穌的使者,為主預備道路領人歸主,不畏懼環境的困難,敵人的威嚇。

2. 懇切的祈求

(1) 我們常軟弱害怕,憑著眼見,怕受苦又不忍耐,應當以眾先知為能受苦能忍耐的榜樣(5:10)。以利亞可做為禱告的榜樣,人人需要禱告,「以利亞與我們是一樣性情的人」,一樣性情此詞字根意義是一樣苦情passions,經歷苦難的人性,人皆有之(見徒14:15)。雖然以利亞是偉大的先知,是彌賽亞的開路先鋒(4:5-6;可9:12;路1:17),然而他和我們一樣是受苦難、有限軟弱的人。他是禱告的義人,我們這些唯獨因信稱義的人,也可以靠主恩成為禱告的人。

(2) 以利亞的榜樣:遵行神的旨意來禱告,「懇切禱告」原文作在禱告中禱告(希伯來文強調語法),這是表明很願意、切切的、竭力的祈求(22:15;徒12:5;西4:12)。他「求不要下雨,雨就三年零六個月不下在地上」,不降雨是刑罰,因為百姓犯罪拜偶像(王上8:35-36;申28:1523-24),主吩咐以利亞禱告求不下雨,且去警告亞哈。結果就是三年六個月的乾旱無雨(4:25;王上18:1),三年六個月在聖經中是指苦難刑罰時期(7:2512:7;啟12:1413:5)。這顯示義人的祈禱是大有功效的(5:16)

3. 他又禱告

(1) 以利亞「又禱告,天就降下雨來」(王上17:1),這是指在迦密山的禱告。歷史背景是亞哈與耶洗別抵擋主,殺害真先知。亞哈家宰俄巴底自幼敬畏主,保護隱藏主耶和華的先知100人。飢荒之時,亞哈在王宮一無所缺,但是人民生靈塗炭。亞哈最關心「找著青草,救活騾馬,免得戰車軍力受損」。俄巴底關心先知們的需要,人民的需要。亞哈到處捉拿以利亞,打發人到列國追查;見到以利亞時,說話惡劣。俄巴底見到以利亞時,俯伏在地,尊敬主的先知。以利亞吩咐俄巴底,去告訴亞哈來見他。

(2) 以利亞在迦密山上挑戰巴力假先知,向民眾宣告:「你們心持兩意要到幾時呢?」(王上18:21;參考雅1:7-8)。以利亞奉神的命令,向眾民宣告:「順從神,或順從巴力」沒有中立妥協的餘地。「今日就可以選擇你們所要事奉的,至於我和我家,我們必定事奉主耶和華」(24:15),「一個人不能事奉兩個主…你們不能事奉神又事奉瑪門」(6:24)。你是否事奉主,又事奉財富,名譽,愛情,學問,地位…? 你的禱告是否專一信靠神,像以利亞一樣?

(3) 以利亞在迦密山對眾人說:「我求告主耶和華的名」(王上18:24)。迦密山緊鄰腓尼基,是巴力偶像的地盤;亞哈王殺害了主的眾先知,帶領850個假先知前來。以利亞隻身對抗如此勢力龐大的偶像勢力,一點也不懼怕。巴力被假先知擁為「雷雨之神」,認為打雷點火是其本事。但是假先知們費盡力氣踊跳求告一整天,毫無回應。以利亞嘻笑揶揄他們,他們按偶像規矩自割自刺,也無濟於事。

4. 以利亞如何禱告: 王上8:30-40

(1) 禱告的預備:「你們到我這裡來」
以利亞重修已經毀壞的「耶和華的壇」,他用12塊石頭築壇獻祭,召以色列十二支派一同悔改;在祭壇的四圍挖溝,劃清界限。以利亞對眾人說:在燔祭和柴上倒三次水,浸透祭物,水滿祭壇壕溝。表明毫無可能是天氣乾旱起火。必定是火從天降!

(2) 禱告的內容:到了獻晚祭的時候,他開始禱告:
「亞伯拉罕,以撒,以色列的神,耶和華阿」聖約的子民呼求聖約的主,自有永有的獨一真神。「求祢今日使人知道我是祢的僕人,又是奉祢的名行這事的」宣告神的主權,倚靠神的主權,聽從神的主權。「求祢應允我...是這民知道祢耶和華是神,又知道是祢叫這民的心回轉」,唯有獨一真神才能叫子民的心意悔改歸正,不是以利亞本身有能力,也不是禱告本身有能力,能力都屬主耶和華!

(3) 禱告的結果:
火從天降,燒盡一切,包括石頭,溝裡的水。全然分別成聖!火燒盡祭壇上的祭物,表明神的聖潔審判,也表明神的恩典赦免了子民的罪(6:20-21;代上21:26;代下7:1)。眾民看見了,俯伏在地說:「耶和華是神!」。萬膝要向主跪拜,萬口要向主承認:「耶穌基督是主!」(腓立2:11)

(4) 禱告的行動:
以利亞帶領百姓拿住巴力的先知,不容一人逃脫。在基順河邊殺了他們。以利亞遵行神的命令,除惡務盡(13:1-513-1817:2-7)。你的心中,是否還留下一些偶像,假先知的教訓?你的心是否全然分別為聖?(林前6:9-10;弗5:5;啟21:822:14-15)

5. 以利亞在山頂繼續的禱告
(1) 以利亞宣告說「有多雨的響聲了」(王上18:41),信心的耳朵已經聽見,因為主已經對他說過「你去,使亞哈得見你,我要降雨在地上」(王上18:1)。他在迦密山頂,繼續懇切祈禱,屈身在地,將臉伏於兩膝之間,迫切禱告。他的僕人來回觀看七次,終於看見一小片雲從海裡上來,不過如人的手掌那樣大,然後霎時間,天降大雨。你的小手掌是否用來禱告呢?

(2) 「天就降下雨來,地就生出土產」,以利亞遵照主的旨意繼續禱告不輟,忍耐等候,心得堅固,終於天降大雨,解決乾旱,地就生出寶貴的出產(5:7)。土地的長期乾旱,經過以利亞的祈求得醫治,這象徵那生病的,經長老們出於信心的祈禱、弟兄姊妹的彼此認罪互相代求,最終必得醫治(5:15-16)。這可說是義人倚靠從上頭來的智慧,用和平所栽種的義果(與土產同一字),懇切代禱必定是大有功效,到時候收成寶貴莊稼,使人得平安(3:18)

結論

1. 我們每一位在主裡因信稱義的人,都可以效法以利亞成為禱告的人,義人的禱告所發出的力量是大有功效的。關鍵不在於你,而在於聽禱告的主。我們從以利亞學習禱告的功課。
2. 個人與團體禱告,不可或缺的要素有金三角:

第一[準則],重修已經毀壞的祭壇:更新你的個人禱告生活,重建教會的團體禱告(王上18:30);第二[心態],以神為中心的禱告:先求神的國和神的義,叫人認識主的主權,叫人心回轉順服神(王上18:36-37);第三[處境],除去一切的偶像:不容任何偶像逃脫,不給惡者留地步(王上18:40)

3. 我們禱告,必須像以利亞一樣,是迫切與恆切的祈求:「多雨的響聲…屈身在地,將臉伏在兩膝之間…差遣僕人七次向海觀看…直到一片小雲從海裡上來」(王上18:41-44)。以利亞的禱告是「出於信心、義人的祈禱、懇切的禱告」,核心是認識並倚靠主耶和華是唯一的真神,聖約的主。你當記住以利亞名字的意義,你更應該記住你的名字是「基督徒」:主耶穌基督是我的主,是恩典之約的中保。

4. 「出於信心、義人的祈禱、懇切的禱告」,預表主耶穌基督的禱告: 他才是真正的「信靠天父」,他才是真正的「義者」,他真是「懇切的祈求」。主耶穌在客西馬尼的禱告是更加懇切(22:44),大有功效(5:7)。迦密山上的得勝,預表主耶穌在各各他山十字架上的獻祭,是真正完全的得勝。

5. 主耶穌如今在天上,繼續不斷的替我們代求(7:25;羅8:34)。禱告的秘訣「注目仰望主耶穌基督」:在基督裡,奉主的名,按照主的旨意祈求,遵行主的命令,忍耐等候,等候結出義果,榮神益人。

問題討論:
1. 以利亞的名字意義是甚麼? 他是先知,是禱告的人,雅各強調他是與我們一樣性情的人,這是甚麼意思?
2. 他「懇切」禱告,懇切是甚麼意思? 何謂在禱告中禱告? 你能舉出經文例證來說明麼? 你的日常禱告是否懇切?
3. 以利亞禱告求不下雨,原因何在? 不下雨帶來甚麼結果? 要以色列國王與百姓知道甚麼? 有哪些經文證明?
4. 以利亞又禱告,天就降下大雨,這是在迦密山發生的事件,你能說出其過程與原委麼? 以利亞是如何為百姓禱告?
5. 我們從以利亞學習個人與團體的禱告,有哪三要素? 你能從金三角來說明麼? 以利亞的代禱是迫切與恆切的,從哪裡可以看出來? 你的禱告是否如此專一恆切?
6. 主耶穌的代求,為我們禱告是更加懇切,所結出的義果是甚麼? 我們互相代求,忍耐等候,會得到甚麼寶貴的莊稼? 如何改進你的禱告生活。