經文: 「要互相代求。」— (聖經·雅各書 5章16節錄)
代禱的功效與價值是無法估計,而且也是禱告內容不可或缺的一部份,它使我們的愛心更擴大,對上帝的信心也更增長,知道祂大能的手能行大事,能將祝福與救恩帶給眾人。讓我們徹底瞭解這個屬靈的功課:禱告不只為我們自己而已,禱告主要是為別人,讓我們先開始為周圍的親人朋友禱告,讓我們成為他們的助力,而非他們的阻力;我們為他們祈求上帝賜下智慧,愛心,不自私,多替他人著想,好讓他們屬靈生命,在見識與愛心上多而又多。
為所有朋友禱告,以及那些平常我們所接觸的人代求,求上帝讓我們有一顆心,願為他們的靈魂守望代禱;為基督徒禱告,特別是那些負有重責的牧師傳道人代禱。
為那些尚未成為基督徒的慕道友代禱,把那些上帝放在你心中的朋友名字列成一個清單,時時為他們靈魂的得救禱告。你是屬於基督的,上帝需要你在禱告中,把這些親朋好友帶到上帝面前,為他們提名代禱。聖靈會激勵提醒你常常為他們儆醒禱告,並為那些貧窮,被人忽略的弱勢族群代禱。
為異教徒禱告,為所有的宣教工作禱告;切切盡心地為這些牧者,傳教士代禱,也要為宣教地區的人民有顆柔軟的心來代禱。
你認為這些都很花費時間嗎?只要想想藉著禱告可以幫助這些人靈魂回轉,不就非常值得?因此我們要常常仰望聖靈,求祂進一步帶領你進入更深一層的禱告生活。假如你覺得早晨時間太趕,無法從容地涵蓋這些禱告內容,可以在白天任何時間撥空來做這些事情。我們要有這樣的理念:「我被拯救是為了服事上帝。」因著我們有著「榮神益人」的生活目標,我們一心希望有更多人分享上帝救恩與福份,因此我們必會感受到為人服務的大喜樂。
—《 神 的 心 意 》
(每日靈修 10月12日)
作者:慕安德烈
編輯:榮華興
『 Intercession 』
Scripture: “Pray one for another.” — (James 5:16)
There is much value in intercession, and it is an indispensable part of prayer. It strengthens our love and faith in what God can do, and is a means of bringing blessing and salvation to others. Let us learn the lesson thoroughly: Prayer should not be for our¬selves alone, but chiefly for others. Let us begin by praying for those who are near and dear to us, those with whom we live, that we may be of help to them and not a hindrance. Pray for divine wisdom, for thoughtfulness for others, for kindliness, for self-sacrifice on their behalf.
Pray for all your friends, and all with whom you come into contact. Pray that you may watch in prayer for their souls. Pray for all Christians, especially for ministers and those in responsible positions.
Pray for those who do not yet know the Lord as their Saviour. Make a list of the names of those whom God has laid upon your heart, and pray for their conversion. You belong to Christ; He needs you to bring to Him in prayer the souls of those around you. The Holy Spirit will strengthen you to an active love in watching for souls. Pray, too, for all poor and neglected ones.
Pray for the heathen, and for all mission work. Use a mission calendar, with daily subjects of prayer, and bear on your heart before God the missionaries, evangelists, teachers, and believers among the heathen.
Do you think this will take too much time ? Just think what an inconceivable blessing it is to help souls through your prayers; and look to the Holy Spirit for further guidance. If this takes too much time in your morning watch, then take some time later in the day. Cultivate the feeling: “I am saved to serve.” You will taste the great joy of knowing that you are living even as Jesus Christ lived on earth—to make God’s love known to others.
— God’s Best Secrets by Andrew Murray
「 12 October 」