3. Manna issue 96 - Prayer_ Build Up and Be Fruitful 建造且多結果子
Vincent Yeung—Cambridge, UK 英國劍橋
Prayer, together with the word of God,
is an integral pillar of the Christian faith.
Be it in tongues or in words of understanding, prayer enables Christian growth.
The apostle Paul explains that we edify[1] ourselves when we speak in a tongue,
as the Spirit prays, and prayers with understanding make our mind fruitful
(1 Cor 14:4, 14–15).
禱告，連同神的話語，
是基督教信仰無法分割的支柱。
無論是靈言或是悟性禱告，都能促使基督徒成長。
使徒保羅解釋說，我們說靈言時，就是在造就[1]自己，
正如聖靈禱告，悟性禱告使我們的心思可以結出果子
（林前 14：4，14-15）。
A typical prayer comprises praising God, petition, and intercession.
Before each prayer session in church,
we receive regular reminders to pray for the church ministry locally, nationally, and abroad,
as well as for those who are weaker physically or spiritually.
Over time, given such standard prayer "formulae,"
we no longer think deliberately and precisely about the focus of our prayers,
nor do we reflect on the outcomes achieved.
If this persists, our prayers will become stale, repetitive chants.
典型的禱告包括了讚美神，祈求和代禱。
每次教堂有禱告會之前，
我們定期收到提醒，要為本地的，全國的和國外的教會事工禱告，
同時為那些身體或心靈軟弱的人禱告。
慢慢的，由於有這種標準的禱告“公式”，
我們不再刻意而精確的思考自已禱告的重點，
而我們也不再反省所會得到的結果。
如果這種情況持續下去，我們的禱告就會變成毫無新意且重複的吟誦而已。
Some of us have been Christians for years,
meaning we have spent many cumulative hours praying.
And while we have heard testimonies,
many of us have had no personal numinous experiences in prayer.
More worryingly, God may appear remote and non-responsive to our supplications.
In contrast to Paul's experience,
we do not seem to be edified or fruitful after each prayer.
Wherein lies the problem?
How can we improve our prayers?
我們有一些人已經成為基督徒很多年了，
這意思是我們已經花了很多時間禱告。
雖然我們聽了很多見證，
我們許多人卻沒有獲得禱告的個人神聖體驗。
更令人擔憂的是，神對我們的祈求，可能顯得冷漠且沒有回應。
相對於保羅的經歷，
每次禱告後我們似乎都沒有得到造就或能結出果子。
問題到底是出在哪裡呢？
我們要怎樣才能改善自已的禱告呢？
For a start, we should consider the following: 首先，我們應該思考下列的問題：
Are we approaching God in the right way?
Are we asking for the right things?
Are we praying about the matters that concern us most?
Do we mean what we say?
我們是否以正確的方式親近神呢？
我們是否祈求正確的事情呢？
我們是否只為自已最關心的事情禱告呢？
我們所說的話語是認真的嗎？
IN SEARCH OF GOD 尋求神
Our email inboxes and social media channels
are bombarded with all sorts of spam and advertisements.
Even on platforms such as LinkedIn,[2]
which was developed to connect professionals,
a significant number of contact requests turn out to be formulaic sales messages.
Consequently, we have learned to identify and ignore such "junk mail"
based on its content or title.
我們電子郵件的收件匣和社群媒體管道，
受到各種垃圾郵件和廣告的轟炸。
即使在各種平台，如 LinkedIn 領英[2]
是為了連結專業人士而開發的，
有很大量的聯絡請求最終都是公式化的銷售資訊。
因此，我們學會了辨識及忽略此類的“垃圾郵件”，
基於其內容或標題。
The obverse is that if we are in the sender's position
and need to get the attention of someone important,
our message must be succinct and sufficiently intriguing.
To achieve the latter, we must be familiar with this person's interests and priorities.
Similarly, if we want God's attention, we must know His priorities.
We cannot expect a response from God by simply babbling half-hearted prayers
or praying for things not aligned with His teachings and will.
事情反面就是，如果我們處於郵件發送者的位置，
並且需要引起重要人物的注意，
我們的訊息就必須簡潔且足夠有趣。
為了實現有趣，我們必須熟悉這個人的興趣和選擇優先順序。
同樣的情況，如果我們想要得到神的關注，我們就必須知道祂的優先選擇。
我們不能僅透過胡言亂語三心二意的禱告，就期待能得到神的回應，
或是禱告為了一些與祂的教導和旨意不符的事情。
Prayer is a discovery of God and oneself.
Exemplary prayers in the Bible reiterate God's character, deeds, and nature.
禱告是一種發現神和自己發掘的過程。
聖經的禱告典範重申了神的品格，作為和本性。
" 'The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy,
forgiving iniquity and transgression.' "
(Num 14:18a)
“‘18耶和華不輕易發怒，並有豐盛的慈愛，
赦免罪孽和過犯； ’”
（民 14：18a）
"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours."
(1 Chr 29:11a)
“11耶和華啊，尊大，
能力，榮耀，
強勝，威嚴都是你的；
凡天上地下的都是你的；
（代上 29：11a）
It is not that God needs us to remind Him of who He is and what He is like.
Instead, prayer allows us to discover or rediscover God's nature
and what He is willing and able to do for us today.
As longtime Christians who have heard many sermons and attended many classes and seminars,
we have an intellectual knowledge of who God is.
But deep within us, do we really trust what we know?
Prayer enables us to truly understand and experience God's power and mercy.
這並不是神需要我們來提醒祂，祂是誰、祂像是什麼樣子。
相反的，禱告讓我們發現或重新發現神的本質，
以及今日祂的旨意是什麼，並且能夠為我們做什麼事。
作為一個長久以來，聽過很多講道、參加過很多課程和講習會的基督徒，
我們具有到底神是誰，心智上的認知。
但在我們的內心深處，我們是否真的相信自已知道的事情嗎？
禱告使我們能夠真正明白，並體驗神的能力和憐憫。
In her desperation, Hannah discovered and reaffirmed what God could do for her:
在絕望中，哈拿發現，並重申了神能為她做什麼事情：
"The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up.
The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up."
(1 Sam 2:6–7)
“6耶和華使人死，也使人活，使人下陰間，也使人往上升。
7他使人貧窮，也使人富足，使人卑微，也使人高貴。”
（撒上 2：6-7）
Her prayer set out a picture of who God is, what He is like,
and what He had done in the past.
God can change things.
If God has done marvelous and miraculous deeds in history,
how much more can He do for her in her hour of need.
Indeed, God did more than she expected.
Hannah asked for one child, but she received more than requested
(1 Sam 2:21),
and her prayer brought national deliverance.
她的禱告描繪了一幅情景，神是誰，祂是什麼樣子，
以及祂過去做了什麼事情。
神可以改變事情。
如果歷史上神在曾經行過超凡神奇的事情，
在她需要幫助的時候，祂還能為她做多少的事情呢？
是的，神的作為超過她所想像的還更多。
哈拿想要一個孩子，但她所得到的卻更多超過所請求的
（撒上 2：21），
她的禱告帶來了國家的拯救。
Jonah landed in the pit of a fish's belly when he attempted to flee from God.
In his guilt and near-hopelessness,
he had a wonderful realization: God was still there
(Jon 2:2)!
His prayer was, thus, not a futile supplication in the dark emptiness
but a rediscovery of God and a renewed awareness
that He is the source of true hope, making possible new beginnings.
Jonah realized God's mercy was still available to him after his repentance,
despite his past rebellion.
In his repentance, Jonah recognized, "Salvation is of the LORD"
(Jon 2:9).
當約拿想要逃離神的時候，掉進了魚腹的深坑。
在他感到愧疚和近乎絕望的時候，
他出現了一種奇妙的認知：神仍然同在
（約 2：2）！
因此，在黑暗空虛中他的禱告並非徒勞的祈求。
而是神的重新發現和更新的覺醒，
祂是真盼望的源頭，使重新開始成為可能。
在他悔改之後，約拿明白了神仍會給他施憐憫，
儘管他過去的叛逆。
約拿在悔改中承認：“9救恩出於耶和華。”
（約 2：9）。
By knowing God, we can evaluate whether what we pray for is worthy of His attention.
God is just and righteous,
so the top priority in our prayers should be learning to be equally just and righteous.
藉著認識神，我們可以衡量自已所祈求的事情是否值得祂來關注。
神是公義的，
因此，我們禱告的優先任務應該是學會同樣公義。
Do we have a valid reason for expecting God to help us?
James told us that the double-minded and those asking for unworthy matters would not receive anything
(Jas 1:7–8, 4:3).
To reach God, we must first have worthy goals;
second, we need to have the urge to achieve these goals;
and third, we must believe God can deliver.
God could see Hannah and Jonah's determination and yearning for His deliverance.
Have we got the same eagerness towards what we are praying for?
We pray for the evangelism and prosperity of the church,
but do we have any interest or eagerness to accomplish what we pray for?
Intercession is the first step; participation is the next critical step.
We must not just talk and pray and not do anything else.
Divine grace works through human beings,
and the word of God has to be realized and fulfilled by fallible individuals.
In Paul's doxology, he reminds us of the grace and love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit
(2 Cor 13:14).
To make an effective prayer,
our will, actions, and goals must be consistent with God's.
我們有沒有好的理由可以期待神來幫助我們呢？
雅各告訴我們，心懷二意的人和那些提出妄求的人將不會得到任何事物
（雅 1：7-8，4：3）。
為了達到神面前，我們首先必須有正確的目標；
其次，我們需要有實現這些目標的動力；
第三，我們必須要信神能夠拯救。
神可以看到哈拿和約拿的決心和渴望求神拯救。
對自已所求的事，我們是否也有同樣的渴望呢？
以前我們為教會傳福音和繁榮興旺祈求，
但我們是否會關心或有渴望去完成自已所祈求的事情呢？
代禱只是第一步；參與是下一個重要的步伐。
我們不要只是說說，有禱告，但沒有任何其他的動作。
神聖的恩典會透過人來發揮作用，
神的話語需由凡人來了解和實現。
在保羅的頌讚中，他提醒我們，神的恩典和慈愛以及與聖靈的交通
（林後 13：14）。
為了成為有效的祈禱，
我們的想法，行動和目標都必須與神的旨意相同。
IN SEARCH OF OURSELVES 探索自我
"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
(Jn 4:24)
“24神是個靈（或無個字），所以拜他的必須用心靈和誠實拜他。”
（約 4：24）
Are we truthful to ourselves and to God?
Our petition to God may be worthy, but are these requests truly the goal we want?
Repeating the Lord's Prayer
(Mt 6:8–13)
must not simply be a habitual chant of a model prayer.
Every time we recite the Lord's Prayer,
we have the opportunity to re-examine
whether we honor God's name, carry out His will on earth, and forgive our debtors.
我們都以誠實來面對自己和神嗎？
我們對神的祈求或許是正確的，但這些請求真的是我們想要的目標嗎？
複述主禱文
（太 6：8-13）
絕不能只是模範祈禱文的習慣性吟誦。
每次我們背誦主禱文的時候，
我們就有機會可以重新審視，
自已是否榮耀神的聖名，在地上實行祂的旨意，並且寬恕那些虧欠我們的人。
With our flesh warring against our spirituality,
establishing our spiritual priorities is difficult
(Rom 7:14–23).
Solomon asked for wisdom and a heart of understanding when God appeared to him in Gibeon
(1 Kgs 3:9–10).
It was an exemplary request.
However, what he did not ask for (but probably desired)
could be seen from his subsequent behavior
(Eccl 2:3–9).
He acquired horses and chariots
(1 Kgs 4:26, 10:26),
took thirteen years to build a magnificent palace
(1 Kgs 7:1–12),
and gratified every wish of his heart
(Eccl 2:10).
Even his fabulous wealth could not satisfy his material desires and extravagance,
becoming a "heavy yoke" on the people
(1 Kgs 12:4).
當我們的肉體與自已的靈命交戰時，
要確定自已的屬靈的優先選擇事項是困難的
（羅 7：14-23）。
當神在基遍向所羅門顯現時，所羅門祈求智慧和悟性
（王上 3：9-10）。
這是一個好的典範請求。
然而，他所沒有要求的事物（但可能會想要的）
就可能從他後來的行為看出來
（傳 2：3-9）。
他取得了駿馬和戰車
(王上 4：26, 10：26),
花了十三年時間建造了一座宏偉的宮殿
(王上 7：1-12),
並滿足他內心所想的每一個願望
（傳 2：10）。
即使他有巨額的財富，也滿足不了他的物慾和奢侈，
這些成為人民的“沉重枷鎖”
（王上 12：4）。
In contrast, God called David, Solomon's father, a man after His own heart
(1 Sam 13:14).
David's prayer reflected how well he knew God
and the right attitude and actions men must have to please Him.
God tests the heart and takes pleasure in uprightness
(1 Chr 29:17).
David knew his place on earth
—"who am I, and who are my people?"
—and recognized that his days on earth were as a shadow
(1 Chr 29:14–15).
The Israelites offered willingly to the Lord
because they knew that all possessions ultimately come from Him
(1 Chr 29:12, 14, 17).
Building a temple for the Lord in Jerusalem
was an opportunity for men and women to show the genuineness of their worship
—both physical and spiritual.
相形之下，神稱呼所羅門的父親大衛，是一位合神心意的人
（撒上 13：14）。
大衛的禱告反應了他有多認識神的程度，
大家要取悅神必須有的正確態度和行為。
神試驗人心，喜悅正直
（代上 29：17）。
大衛知道自已地上的角色，
—“我到底是什麼人呢，我的人民是什麼人呢？”
—並認知到自已在地上的日子就如一道影子
（代上 29：14-15）。
以色列人樂意向耶和華獻祭，
因為他們知道一切財物最終都來自於他
（代上 29：12，14，17）。
在耶路撒冷為主建造聖殿，
是男女人展現自已崇拜神真心的機會
—在物質上和屬靈上。
Returning to Jonah's prayer in this light,
we can see his newfound understanding of God in the time of adversity
was valuable but facile and limited.
He had discovered that God is merciful and forbearing,
yet he did not reflect on his inner self against God's attributes.
His supercilious attitude toward the Assyrians became apparent
—it was fine for him to receive God's mercy,
but not the 120,000 Ninevites who could not even discern their right hand from their left
(Jon 4:11).
It is a missed opportunity
if we only pray for and appreciate God's deliverance of ourselves,
but not pray to have the heart of God.
God makes
"His sun rise on the evil and on the good,
and sends rain on the just and on the unjust";
we need to pursue perfection just as the Father in heaven is perfect
(Mt 5:45, 48).
Luke puts it in practical terms:
"Therefore be merciful,
just as your Father also is merciful"
(Lk 6:36).
從這個角度回顧約拿的禱告，
我們可以看到，在逆境時他對神的新發現，
是很有價值，卻很單純且有所局限的。
他發現神是慈愛寬容的，
但他並沒有反省自己內心，違背神的本性。
他對亞述人自高的傲慢態度很明顯，
—他得到神的恩惠的情況就很好，
但 12 萬無法分辨自已右手左手的尼尼微人得到神的恩典就不好
（約 4：11）。
這是一個錯失的機會，
如果我們只祈求感謝神給我們的拯救，
但不是祈求神的旨意。
神使
“45叫日頭照好人，也照歹人；
降雨給義人，也給不義的人。”；
48要追求完全，像你們的天父完全一樣。
（太 5：45，48）。
路加將這句話轉成實用的術語：
“36你們要慈悲，
像你們的父慈悲一樣。”
（加 6：36）。
Prayer is a path of self-discovery
that can lead us to a healthy self-awareness
and, through this, to proper self-discipline.
It is often difficult to admit to the common human weaknesses of pride, conceit, and self-interest.
So we keep these hidden, even from ourselves
—a sure path to self-destruction.
To build ourselves up,
we must discover ourselves
and make the necessary adjustments and reorientation
to render ourselves and our prayers worthy of the Lord.
禱告是一種自我探索的道路，
這可以引導自已形成健全，自我意識
並藉此過程，達成適當的自律。
要承認人類常見的弱點，如驕傲，欺騙和自私，往往是很困難的。
所以我們把這些事情隱藏起來，甚至會隱瞞自己，
—是一條走向自我毀滅明確的道路。
為了可以自我成長，
我們必須自己探索，
並進行必要的調整與重新定位，
使我們自己和自已的禱告符合神的聖潔。
IN SEARCH OF OTHERS 為別人祈求
If intercession is a deepened awareness of how we place other people in our lives and in our world,
then we need to intentionally explore and learn more about the people around us
—to understand their needs, shortcomings, and obstacles.
Do we know what our friends and brethren need the most?
Have we spent enough time finding out what concerns them
or in what areas we should pray for them?
Or are they mere names or broad categories
that we label as "truth-seekers" or "sick members"?
如果代禱就是，我們如何將他人置於自已的生活和世界中的深入認識，
那麼我們就需要有意的探尋了解更多關於我們周圍的人，
—了解他們的需要，缺點和障礙。
我們是否知道，自已的朋友和弟兄最需要的是什麼東西嗎？
我們有沒有花費足夠的時間找出他們關心的問題呢？
或是我們應該在哪些方面為他們禱告呢？
或者他們僅僅是一些名稱，或是不同的大類別，
讓我們標記為“慕道者”或“病人”呢？
Jacob knew his children well
—Reuben was unstable as water, Simeon and Levi were violent,
Dan was like a serpent, and Benjamin a ravenous wolf
(Gen 49:3–6, 17, 27).
Moses was also well aware of the strengths and challenges of the different tribes.
Dan and Naphtali were "full of the blessing of the Lord" and were doing well,
whereas Reuben struggled to survive
(Deut 33:22–23, 6).
Similarly, the church today comprises members from all walks of life, backgrounds, and cultures.
We may find some characters more difficult to get along with.
Most of us choose to avoid such members
and are rarely prepared to show them true forbearance and lovingkindness.
This is why Paul reminds us to bear with one another and keep the unity of the Spirit
(Eph 4:1–2).
雅各很了解他的孩子，
—流便性情滾沸如水，西緬和利未很暴力，
但就如一條蛇，便雅憫是個撕掠的狼
（創 49：3-6，17，27）。
摩西也很了解不同支派的優點和挑戰。
但和拿弗他利“蒙主祝福”，並且過得很好，
而流便則要為生存而掙扎
（申 33：22-23，6）。
同樣，今日的教會包括了各行各業，背景和文化的信徒。
我們可能會發現有些人物很難相處。
我們大部份人都會選擇避開這種信徒，
而且很少準備好向他們展現真正的寬容和慈愛。
這就是為什麼保羅提醒我們，2互相寬容，保守聖靈所賜合而為一的心
（弗 4：1-2）。
When we think that God's heart is closed to our requests,
we must ask ourselves whether it is because our eyes are closed to those for whom we are interceding.
We must first have the faith and courage
to forgive and accept their undesirable behaviors and character
and be reconciled with them.
當我們認為，神的心很接近我們的請求時，
我們必須問自己，這是否因為自已想法能夠接近那些我們為之代禱的人。
我們首先要有信心和勇氣，
可以原諒並接受他們不良的行為和性格，
並可以與他們和好。
For Moses to pray for the people
(Num 14:18–19),
he first needed to reconcile with them after they rejected him
(Num 14:2, 4).
What enabled him to overlook and forgive their rejection, hurtful words, and perpetual ingratitude?
從摩西為了百姓禱告來看，
（民 14：18-19）
在他們拒絕他之後，他首先需要與他們和好
（民 14：2, 4）。
到底有什麼理由讓他可以忽視且原諒百姓的拒絕，傷人的言詞和常常忘恩負義呢？
Daniel's prayer for the people reminds us
that God grants our supplications
because of His forgiveness and gracious mercy rather than our righteousness
(Dan 9:9, 18).
We, who are called by God's name,
have hope because of His gracious mercy
(Dan 9:19).
And the petition for forgiveness
—"forgive us…as we forgive"
(Mt 6:12)
—emphasizes that Christian life is one of reconciliation,
both within and outside the community.
但以理為以色列百姓的祈禱提醒我們，
願神會應允我們的祈求，
因為祂有寬恕和仁慈，而不是因為我們的公義
（但 9：9，18）。
我們這些因著神之名而受呼招的人，
因祂仁慈而有了盼望
（但 9：19）。
而寬恕的請求，
—“12免我們...如同我們免了”
（太 6：12）
—強調基督徒的生活是一個會和好的人，
不論於團契的內外。
Forgiveness may be the hardest of all gifts to offer others.
Had it been easy, it would not have been included in the Lord's Prayer.
But nothing is impossible for God.
If we are open, He will be the source and ground of an unlimited range of new possibilities
that can transform our relationship with one another in exceptional ways.
寬恕可能是各種可能最難給予他人的禮物。
若是這麼作很容易的話，它就不會被包含在主的祈禱文中了。
但對神來說，沒有什麼事是不可能成就的。
如果我們打開心胸，祂將會成為一種無限新可能性的源頭和基礎，
這種情況可以用特殊的方式改善我們彼此的關係。
Paul prayed for the believers to be grounded in love
and to experience the "width and length and depth and height" of the boundless love of Christ
(Eph 3:14–19).
Prayers enable us to search for this divine love,
so we can mature, grow, and reciprocate God's love
through intercession for others and acts of forgiveness.
保羅祈求信徒的愛心有根基
可以體驗到基督無限之愛的“長闊高深”
（弗 3：14-19）。
禱告可以使我們去尋找這種神聖的慈愛，
使我們可以成熟，成長並回報神的慈愛，
透過為別人代禱和寬恕的行為。
IN SEARCH OF OBEDIENCE: LEARNING OUR HIGHER PURPOSE 尋求順服：明白自已的天命
As the pandemic has shown so dramatically, life is fragile.
We, or our friends and relatives, can be suddenly struck by inexplicable illnesses.
At the onset, we may be able to pray for healing with faith.
But when a complete cure does not present itself, our faith wavers.
What can we learn from biblical role models who had similar experiences?
正如這場新冠疫情戲劇性的出現，生命很脆弱。
我們或是自已的朋友和親戚，可能會突然患上無法解釋的疾病。
一開始，我們或許可以憑著信心祈求醫治。
但當完全治癒的方法沒有發生時，我們的信心就會動搖。
我們可以從聖經中有類似經驗榜樣的身上學到什麼呢？
When an incurable illness struck Hezekiah,
his royal lifestyle did not give him much peace.
Instead, he spoke of the bitterness of his soul
(Isa 38:15).
Nevertheless, this unexpected illness enhanced his appreciation of life.
At that juncture, he had not yet received his deliverance,
yet he realized that his illness,
and the bitterness that came with it, was for his own peace
(Isa 38:17).
His anguish enabled him to draw near to God and saved him from the pit of destruction.
當希西家患上不治之症的時候，
他的皇室生活方式並沒有給他帶來多少平安。
相反的，他說出了自已靈魂的痛苦
（賽 38：15）。
然而，這場意外的疾病加深了他對生命的感恩。
就在那時，他還沒有得到解脫，
但他明白了自己的病因，
以及隨之而來的痛苦，都是為了讓他自己得到平安
（賽 38：17）。
他的痛苦使他得以親近神，將他從滅亡的深淵中拯救出來。
When life is smooth and prosperous,
the enjoyment accompanying worldly success diminishes our need for God;
He is no longer at the forefront of our minds.
In contrast, pain and suffering amplify our yearning for God and His comfort.
God has His plan for us when He does not grant our prayers immediately.
He has a better solution for us
when He does not give us the solution we ask for.
Ultimately, when we pray and trust Him, we are being built up.
當生活一帆風順，繁榮昌盛時，
伴隨著世俗成功而來的享樂會減少了自已對神的需要；
祂已經不再是我們心中的焦點了。
相反的，痛苦和折磨會加強自已渴望神及祂的安慰。
當神沒有立刻應允我們的禱告時，祂有為我們準備了祂的計劃。
祂會給我們提供更好的解決方案，
當祂沒有給我們所祈求的解決方案時。
到最後，當我們禱告且信靠祂時，我們就會被建造成長起來。
Paul celebrated his weakness and the non-fulfillment of his prayer
because he realized that, through suffering, the power of Christ rested on him
(2 Cor 12:8–9).
Christ was perfected, not by superhuman endowment,
but because He learned obedience through the things He suffered
(Heb 5:8).
Paul also declared that tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and sword
could not separate him from the love of Christ
(Rom 8:35).
The clear and simple reason was
that God was "in" the suffering with him, and God inspired him through prayer.
保羅歡慶自已的軟弱及自已的祈禱沒有實現，
因為他明白，透過苦難，基督的力量會出現在他身上
（林後 12：8-9）。
基督很完美，並非靠著超乎常人的天賦，
而是因為祂經由承受的苦難而學會了順從
（來 5：8）。
保羅也呼籲，患難，困苦，逼迫，飢餓，赤身露體，危險和刀劍
都無法使他與基督的愛隔絕
（羅 8：35）。
這種清楚簡單的原因就是
神與他一起「同受」苦難，神經由禱告激勵他。
CONCLUSION 結論
Prayer requires a proper understanding of the nature and purpose of God.
In turn, prayer deepens such an understanding
by establishing certain behaviors relevant to our experience.
We do not merely pray to know God's will,
or ask and expect Him to give and act,
while we sit back and do nothing.
The knowledge of His will enables us to walk worthy of Him.
By knowing, doing, and learning, this practical
—rather than theoretical
—knowledge is augmented and abounds
(Col 1:9–10).
禱告需要對神的本性和目的有合宜的理解。
反過來說，祈禱加深了這種理解，
透過建立某些行為與我們的體驗有相關。
我們不只祈求明白神的旨意，
或是祈求且盼望祂會賞賜且採取行動，
而我們自已則冷眼旁觀，無所作為。
了解祂的旨意會使我們行事為人與祂相匹配。
經過了解，實行和學習，這就是實用的，
—而不是理論上的
—知識就會與日俱增，見聞廣博
（西 1：9-10）。
It is not God's reluctance that makes prayer difficult,
but rather our inability to seek the things God desires to give.
Prayer should not be an impersonal and mindless repetition
but a time for us to think deeply and reflect.
Prayer uncovers the awareness of ultimate meaning and purpose.
It allows us to discover ourselves, the people around us,
their needs and ours, and the changes we should make.
Critically, prayer facilitates a new discovery of the right priorities, the acceptance of our path,
and the unexpected possibilities God can achieve for us.
並不是神不情願讓禱告變得困難，
反而是我們無法找出神想要賞賜的東西。
禱告不應該是冷淡、無腦的重述，
而是我們可以深入思考和反省的一段時間。
禱告揭開了最終意義和目的的認知。
它讓我們自己探索，察覺周遭的人，
他們的需求和我們的需求，以及我們應該做出的改變。
重要的是，禱告促進重新發現正確的優先事項選擇，接受自已的道路，
以及神為我們能實現的意外可能性。
We must lift our eyes to see a little farther
and try to learn more of what God has made possible for us through the transforming power of Jesus.
Prayer opens up a whole new vista for growth in Christian experience and understanding.
With such understanding, we can be built up, grow,
and finally realize the God-given possibilities before us.
我們必須抬起眼睛才能看得遠一點，
且透過耶穌改變的能力，嘗試了解更多神為我們所帶來的可能性。
禱告讓基督徒增加經驗和認知，打開了一片全新的前景。
有了這樣的了解，我們就可以得到建造，成長，
並且最終實現神在我們面前的可能性。
[1] Greek: οἰκοδομέω, "to build."
[1] 希臘文：οἰκοδομέω，「建造」。
[2] An online and app-based business and employment-focused social media platform.
[2] 一個基於線上應用程式的商業和專注招募的社交媒體平台。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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