PRAYER ｜ 祷告

ENPRAYER. Call; cry; supplication. Comprehensively, communion with God. Essentially, prayer is the glad, grateful and heartfelt response of the believer to God's proffer to meet and commune with him. In this, as in all that transpires between God and man, it is God who takes the initiative, and invites the outpouring of all that is in the heart into His sympathizing ear. Two impressive texts assure us upon these points. (1) Ex. 25:22. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim. This "figure of the true" (Heb. 9:24)—the blood-sprinkled mercy-seat, the "throne of grace" (Heb. 4:16), bespeaking atonement (covering) of sin—still applies to us with all its blessed meaning and results, while it finds full and abiding realization in the perfect communion of heaven. (Note: God comes to meet and commune with the believer on the mercy-seat; but the unbeliever goes to meet with God upon the judgment-seat—2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:11, 12.) (2) Ps. 62:8. Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. In public or in private, the communing soul must feel, and be, alone with God: Matt. 6:6. Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret.

BSBPsalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah

中祷告。呼求；呼吁；恳求。总括而言，就是与神相交。就其本质，祷告是信徒对神『前来相会、彼此交谈』这一提议所作的欢欣、感恩、发自肺腑的回应。在这件事上，正如在神与人之间发生的一切事上一样，是神先采取主动，邀请人把心中的一切倾倒进他体恤的耳中。有两处感人的经文向我们保证这几点。（1）出埃及记 25:22 —— 我要在那里与你相会，又要从……施恩座上二基路伯中间，和你说我所要吩咐你……的一切事。这『真体的影像』（希伯来书 9:24）——那洒了血的施恩座、那『施恩的宝座』（希伯来书 4:16），述说着罪的赎（遮盖）——至今仍以其全部蒙福的含义与果效临到我们；而它在天上完全的相交中才得着完满恒久的实现。（按语：神是在施恩座上前来与信徒相会相交；而不信的人则要在审判台前去见神——哥林多后书 5:10；启示录 20:11-12。）（2）诗篇 62:8 —— 你们众民当时时倚靠他，在他面前倾心吐意；神是我们的避难所。无论在公开场合还是私下，与神相交的灵魂都必须感到、也确实是单独与神相对：马太福音 6:6 —— 你祷告的时候，要进你的内屋，关上门，祷告你在暗中的父。

ENThe name and mediation of Christ are the basis of access to God, and the ground of faith, boldness and hope in prayer: John 14:13, 14. Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do. John 16:24, 26. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 1 Tim. 2:5. There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Eph. 2:18. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Rom. 8:34. Who also maketh intercession for us. Heb. 7:25. He ever liveth to make intercession for them. Eph. 3:12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. Heb. 4:14-16. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest . . . Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The Holy Spirit is the Inspirer and Helper in prayer: Jude 20. Praying in the Holy Ghost. Rom. 8:26. The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought. Zech. 12:10. I will pour upon the house of David . . . the spirit of grace and of supplications. Eph. 6:18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.

BSBHebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

中基督的名与他的中保之职，是人得以亲近神的根基，也是祷告中信心、坦然与盼望的凭据：约翰福音 14:13-14 —— 你们奉我的名无论求什么，我必成就。16:24, 26 —— 向来你们没有奉我的名求什么，如今你们求，就必得着，叫你们的喜乐可以满足。提摩太前书 2:5 —— 因为只有一位神，在神和人中间，只有一位中保，乃是降世为人的基督耶稣。以弗所书 2:18 —— 因为我们两下借着他被一个圣灵所感，得以进到父面前。罗马书 8:34 —— 也替我们祈求。希伯来书 7:25 —— 因为他是长远活着，替他们祈求。以弗所书 3:12 —— 我们因信耶稣，就在他里面放胆无惧，笃信不疑地来到神面前。希伯来书 4:14-16 —— 我们既然有一位已经升入高天尊荣的大祭司，就是神的儿子耶稣，便当持定所承认的道。所以我们只管坦然无惧地来到施恩的宝座前，为要得怜恤，蒙恩惠，作随时的帮助。圣灵是祷告中的激发者与帮助者：犹大书 20 —— 在圣灵里祷告。罗马书 8:26 —— 况且我们的软弱有圣灵帮助，我们本不晓得当怎样祷告。撒迦利亚书 12:10 —— 我必将那施恩叫人恳求的灵，浇灌大卫家。以弗所书 6:18 —— 靠着圣灵，随时多方祷告祈求。

ENConstituents or parts of prayer. (1) Praise—including ascriptions of honor, holiness, majesty, might, blessing and glory, and expressions of adoration, homage, reverence and devotion. All these are commanded and illustrated in the Psalms, in the recorded prayers of both Testaments, and in the celestial pictures of the Apocalypse. (2) Thanksgiving—repeatedly demanded and expressed by psalmists, prophets and leaders in the Old Testament, and commended in the New: Phil. 4:6. In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Col. 3:15. And be ye thankful. Eph. 5:20. Giving thanks always for all things unto God. Ps. 100:4. Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. Ps. 50:14. Offer unto God thanksgiving. (3) Penitent confession: 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. Prov. 28:13. Whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Ps. 32:5. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Ps. 51. Isa. 6:5. Woe is me! for I am undone. (4) Supplication (asking, entreaty), including intercession—this is the chief constituent of prayer. In the Old Testament God says, Call upon Me: Ps. 50:15. Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee. Ps. 105:4. Seek His face evermore. Isa. 65:24. Jer. 33:3. Call unto Me, and I will answer thee. Matt. 7:7, 8. Ask, and it shall be given you; . . . for every one that asketh receiveth. 1 Tim. 2:1, 2. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions . . . be made for all men.

BSBPhilippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

中祷告的构成部分。（1）赞美——包括把尊荣、圣洁、威严、权能、称颂与荣耀归给神，以及倾慕、致敬、敬畏与虔诚的表达。这一切在诗篇中、在两约所记的祷告中、在启示录的天上图景中，都既有吩咐也有范例。（2）感谢——旧约的诗人、先知与领袖屡屡要求并表达，新约也加以嘉许：腓立比书 4:6 —— 只要凡事借着祷告、祈求和感谢，将你们所要的告诉神。歌罗西书 3:15 —— 且要存感谢的心。以弗所书 5:20 —— 凡事要奉我们主耶稣基督的名常常感谢父神。诗篇 100:4 —— 当感谢他，称颂他的名。50:14 —— 你们要以感谢为祭献与神。（3）痛悔的认罪：约翰一书 1:9 —— 我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪。箴言 28:13 —— 承认离弃罪过的，必蒙怜恤。诗篇 32:5 —— 我说：我要向耶和华承认我的过犯，你就赦免我的罪恶。51 篇。以赛亚书 6:5 —— 祸哉！我灭亡了！（4）恳求（祈求、求告），包括代求——这是祷告的主体构成。旧约中神说：你要求告我。诗篇 50:15 —— 并要在患难之日求告我，我必搭救你。105:4 —— 时常寻求他的面。以赛亚书 65:24。耶利米书 33:3 —— 你求告我，我就应允你。马太福音 7:7-8 —— 你们祈求，就给你们……因为凡祈求的，就得着。提摩太前书 2:1-2 —— 我劝你第一要为万人恳求、祷告、代求、祝谢。

ENResponsive to these constituents, we note the attitude and spirit of the accepted suppliant, suggesting the conditions of acceptable prayer. 1. Reverent, praiseful recognition of God's greatness and majesty, His holiness and justice, His love and truth (Ps. 89:7, 8; 95:3, 6; 96:8, 9; 99:5, 9). 2. Thankfulness for providential goodness and pardoning mercy (Ps. 103:1-13; 107; 121:1-4; 145; 1 Chron. 29:11-13). 3. A feeling of dependence and need, with a penitent sense of unworthiness and sin: Ps. 51:17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. Ps. 86:1. Bow down Thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Luke 18:13. God be merciful to me a sinner. 2 Cor. 3:5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves. 4. Humble submission and obedient self-surrender: Ps. 119:94. I am Thine, save me. Ps. 119:176. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant. Job 34:32. If I have done iniquity, I will do no more. (Illustrations: Jacob, Gen. 32:9-12; Job 42:5, 6; Isaiah 6:5-8; the prodigal, Luke 15:17-21.) 5. Heart-trust in Christ, and assured reliance on the promises of God to hear and answer: Matt. 9:29. According to your faith be it unto you. Mark 11:24. What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Heb. 11:6. He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. James 1:6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. 6. Patient expectation, and hopeful, assured waiting upon God's time and way of answer: Micah 7:7. I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Ps. 123:2. Our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that He have mercy upon us. 7. Pure hands, a whole and true heart, an abiding in Christ, and a Christ-serving life: Lam. 3:41. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God. 1 Tim. 2:8. Lifting up holy hands. Ps. 145:18. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him in truth. John 4:24. They that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Heb. 10:22. Let us draw near with a true heart. John 15:7. If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. James 5:16. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 1 John 3:22. We receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

BSBJames 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

中与这些构成相对应，我们要看看蒙悦纳之祈求者的心态与心志——它们提示了祷告蒙悦纳的条件。1. 以敬畏与赞美之心认取神的伟大威严、他的圣洁公义、他的慈爱信实（诗篇 89:7-8；95:3, 6；96:8-9；99:5, 9）。2. 为护理的良善与赦罪的怜悯而感恩（诗篇 103:1-13；107 篇；121:1-4；145 篇；历代志上 29:11-13）。3. 自觉倚赖与缺乏，并痛悔地自觉不配与有罪：诗篇 51:17 —— 神所要的祭就是忧伤的灵；神啊，忧伤痛悔的心，你必不轻看。86:1 —— 耶和华啊，求你侧耳应允我，因我是困苦穷乏的。路加福音 18:13 —— 神啊，开恩可怜我这个罪人！哥林多后书 3:5 —— 并不是我们凭自己能承担什么事。4. 谦卑降服与顺命的自我交出：诗篇 119:94 —— 我是属你的，求你救我。119:176 —— 我如亡羊走迷了路，求你寻找仆人。约伯记 34:32 —— 我若行了孽，必不再行。（例证：雅各——创世记 32:9-12；约伯记 42:5-6；以赛亚书 6:5-8；浪子——路加福音 15:17-21。）5. 心里信靠基督，笃信神垂听应允的应许：马太福音 9:29 —— 照着你们的信给你们成全了吧。马可福音 11:24 —— 凡你们祷告祈求的，无论是什么，只要信是得着的，就必得着。希伯来书 11:6 —— 因为到神面前来的人必须信有神，且信他赏赐那寻求他的人。雅各书 1:6 —— 只要凭着信心求，一点不疑惑。6. 耐心期待，满怀盼望而笃定地等候神应允的时候与方式：弥迦书 7:7 —— 要等候那救我的神；我的神必应允我。诗篇 123:2 —— 我们的眼睛也照样望耶和华我们的神，直到他怜悯我们。7. 清洁的手、完全真实的心、常在基督里、并过事奉基督的生活：耶利米哀歌 3:41 —— 我们当诚心向天上的神举手祷告。提摩太前书 2:8 —— 举起圣洁的手。诗篇 145:18 —— 凡求告他的，就是诚心求告他的，耶和华便与他们相近。约翰福音 4:24 —— 所以拜他的必须用心灵和诚实拜他。希伯来书 10:22 —— 我们心中天良的亏欠已经洒去……就当存着诚心……来到神面前。约翰福音 15:7 —— 你们若常在我里面，我的话也常在你们里面，凡你们所愿意的，祈求就给你们成就。雅各书 5:16 —— 义人祈祷所发的力量是大有功效的。约翰一书 3:22 —— 并且我们一切所求的，就从他得着，因为我们遵守他的命令，行他所喜悦的事。

ENHindered and rejected prayers—causes and effects: Job 15:4. Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God. Job 21:15. What profit should we have, if we pray unto Him? Job 35:13. Surely God will not hear vanity. Ps. 66:18. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. Isa. 59:2. Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear. Matt. 6:7. Use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do. James 4:3. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 1 Pet. 3:7. That your prayers be not hindered. Prov. 15:8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord. (Christ's refusals: the ambition of James and John, Mark 10:35; the call for vengeance, Luke 9:54.) Other conditions or limitations to favorable response: 1. Requests must be in harmony with His gracious will, and contributory to His glory: 1 John 5:14. If we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us. John 14:13. That the Father may be glorified in the Son. 2. They must come from a loyal and obedient, forgiving and loving, unselfish heart and life: Matt. 6:15. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. James 4:3. 3. Answers are withheld for lack of asking: James 4:2. Ye have not, because ye ask not. Mal. 3:10. Prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven. Ezek. 36:37. I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them. [I know not which is the greater wonder: that prayer—a duty so easy and facile, so ready and adapted to the powers and opportunities of every man—should have so great effects and be productive of such mighty blessings; or that we should be so unwilling to use so easy an instrument of procuring so much good. Jeremy Taylor.]

BSBPsalm 66:18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

中受阻与被拒的祷告——其因与其果：约伯记 15:4 —— 你是废弃敬畏的意，在神面前阻止敬虔。21:15 —— 我们祈祷他有什么益处呢？35:13 —— 虚妄的呼求，神必不垂听。诗篇 66:18 —— 我若心里注重罪孽，主必不听。以赛亚书 59:2 —— 但你们的罪孽使你们与神隔绝，你们的罪恶使他掩面不听你们。马太福音 6:7 —— 你们祷告，不可像外邦人，用许多重复话。雅各书 4:3 —— 你们求也得不着，是因为你们妄求，要浪费在你们的宴乐中。彼得前书 3:7 —— 这样，便叫你们的祷告没有阻碍。箴言 15:8 —— 恶人献祭，为耶和华所憎恶。（基督所拒绝的祈求：雅各与约翰的野心——马可福音 10:35；求降火的报复心——路加福音 9:54。）蒙应允的其他条件或限制：1. 所求必须与他恩慈的旨意相合，并有助于他的荣耀：约翰一书 5:14 —— 我们若照他的旨意求什么，他就听我们。约翰福音 14:13 —— 叫父因儿子得荣耀。2. 所求必须出于忠诚顺服、饶恕慈爱、不自私的心与生活：马太福音 6:15 —— 你们不饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必不饶恕你们的过犯。雅各书 4:3。3. 因不求而不得：雅各书 4:2 —— 你们得不着，是因为你们不求。玛拉基书 3:10 —— 万军之耶和华说：以此试试我，是否为你们敞开天上的窗户。以西结书 36:37 —— 主耶和华如此说：我要加增以色列家的人数多如羊群；他们必为这事向我求问，我要给他们成就。〔我不知哪一件更奇：是祷告这件如此容易顺手、如此现成、如此合乎每一个人之能力与机会的本分，竟能有这么大的果效、结出这么大的祝福；还是我们竟这样不肯使用这样一件轻便的器具去取得这么多的好处。杰里米·泰勒（Jeremy Taylor）〕

ENGod the Hearer and Answerer of prayer, with many inspiring promises: Ps. 10:17. Lord, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble. Ps. 37:4. He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Ps. 65:2. O Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come. Ps. 66:19, 20. But verily God hath heard me; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Ps. 91:15. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him. Prov. 15:29. He heareth the prayer of the righteous. Isa. 45:19. I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye Me in vain. Isa. 65:24. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Jer. 29:12. Then shall ye call upon Me, . . . and I will hearken unto you. Matt. 7:11. How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him? Eph. 3:20. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. His command and invitation to pray: Jer. 33:3. Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Ps. 81:10. Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. 1 Kings 3:5. Ask what I shall give thee. James 4:8. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.

BSBIsaiah 65:24 Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.

中神是垂听并应允祷告的神，并有许多激励人的应许：诗篇 10:17 —— 耶和华啊，谦卑人的心愿，你早已知道（英译：你已垂听）。37:4 —— 他就将你心里所求的赐给你。65:2 —— 听祷告的主啊，凡有血气的都要来就你。66:19-20 —— 但神实在听见了，他侧耳听了我祷告的声音。91:15 —— 他若求告我，我就应允他。箴言 15:29 —— 却听义人的祷告。以赛亚书 45:19 —— 我没有对雅各的后裔说：你们寻求我是徒然的。65:24 —— 他们尚未求告，我就应允；正说话的时候，我就垂听。耶利米书 29:12 —— 你们要呼求我……我就应允你们。马太福音 7:11 —— 何况你们在天上的父，岂不更把好东西给求他的人吗？以弗所书 3:20 —— 神能照着运行在我们心里的大力，充充足足地成就一切，超过我们所求所想的。他吩咐并邀请人祷告：耶利米书 33:3 —— 你求告我，我就应允你，并将你所不知道、又大又难的事指示你。诗篇 81:10 —— 你要大大张口，我就给你充满。列王纪上 3:5 —— 你愿我赐你什么？你可以求。雅各书 4:8 —— 你们亲近神，神就必亲近你们。

EN[The object of prayer is not to inform God; it is to train us in habits of personal intercourse with God, of personal sonship toward Him. We are made for sonship—and sonship is personal correspondence, personal and intelligent co-operation with God; it is a gradually increasing power of familiarity with God, of intercourse with Him, of approach toward Him as person to person. Thus prayer is made necessary for us simply in order that, by this necessity for praying, for asking, we may be constrained again and again to come before God, and by asking to familiarize ourselves with Him; and as we ask, and as we receive, grow into intelligent personal correspondence with God our Father. Who that has prayed diligently, and experienced an answer, does not know that that one experience has done more for the life of religion in his soul than a great deal of reading or thinking? C. Gore.] Subjects of prayer, suggested directly and indirectly: Moses' great petition (Ex. 33:18. I beseech Thee, shew me Thy glory); wisdom and knowledge (2 Chron. 1:10); the blessing of God (Jacob, Gen. 32:26); for the Church—its peace (Ps. 122:6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem), its increase (Isa. 62:7; Ezek. 36:37), its reviving (Hab. 3:2. O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years), the increase of its ministers (Matt. 9:38. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest—the only specific subject of prayer named by Christ); for all men and kings (1 Tim. 2:1); for persecutors (Matt. 5:44); against temptation (Matt. 26:41); for wisdom in life (James 1:5); one for another (James 5:16); for the preacher and the Word (2 Thes. 3:1); for correction (Jer. 10:24. O Lord, correct me, but with judgment).

BSBMatthew 9:38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.”

中〔祷告的目的不是把消息告诉神；而是训练我们养成与神亲身往来、亲身为子的习惯。我们受造原是为着儿子的名分——而儿子的名分就是位格对位格的往还，是与神亲身而明达的同工；它是一种与神日益亲熟、与他往来、以位格对位格的方式亲近他的能力。所以，祷告之所以被定为我们的必需，正是为了：借着这『必须祷告、必须祈求』的必需，我们被一次又一次地推到神面前来，借着祈求而与他熟悉；并且在祈求、在领受之中，逐渐长成与我们的父神之间明达的、位格性的往还。凡曾恳切祷告、又经历过应允的人，谁不知道：那一次经历为他灵魂里宗教的生命所成就的，胜过大量的阅读或思考？戈尔（C. Gore）〕祷告的题目，或直接或间接被提示的：摩西那个伟大的祈求（出埃及记 33:18 —— 求你显出你的荣耀给我看）；智慧与知识（历代志下 1:10）；神的祝福（雅各——创世记 32:26）；为教会——为它的平安（诗篇 122:6 —— 你们要为耶路撒冷求平安）、为它的增长（以赛亚书 62:7；以西结书 36:37）、为它的复兴（哈巴谷书 3:2 —— 耶和华啊，求你在这些年间复兴你的作为）、为传道人的加增（马太福音 9:38 —— 所以你们当求庄稼的主，打发工人出去收他的庄稼——这是基督唯一指名的祷告题目）；为万人与君王（提摩太前书 2:1）；为逼迫的人（马太福音 5:44）；为胜过试探（马太福音 26:41）；为人生的智慧（雅各书 1:5）；彼此代求（雅各书 5:16）；为传道人与神的道（帖撒罗尼迦后书 3:1）；求管教（耶利米书 10:24 —— 耶和华啊，求你从宽惩治我）。

ENPrayers recorded in the Bible—Old Testament: Abraham for Sodom (Gen. 18:23-33); Jacob at Mahanaim and at Peniel (Gen. 32:9-12, 24-32); Moses at Rephidim, and his four intercessions after the golden calf (Ex. 32:11-14, 31, 32; 33:11-18; 34:9), and his great petition, "Shew me Thy glory," with its answer; Samuel, linked with Moses as a man of prayer (Ps. 99:6; Jer. 15:1); David's gratitude and praise (2 Sam. 7:25-29); Solomon's request for wisdom, and his prayer at the dedication of the Temple; Elijah; Elisha; Asa; Jehoshaphat; Hezekiah and Isaiah; Jeremiah; Daniel (Dan. 9:3-19); Ezra; Nehemiah; Amos' intercession answered (Amos 7:1-6). New Testament: the prayers of Christ (see Christ on Earth); the publican (Luke 18:13); the first recorded prayer of the Church (Acts 4:24-31); Stephen (Acts 7:59, 60); Saul (Acts 9:6); Paul's prayers in the Epistles, to be carefully studied (Eph. 1:15-23; 3:14-19; Phil. 1:9-11; Col. 1:9-13; 2 Thes. 1:11, 12). See the Lord's Prayer. God desires our habitual and unceasing communion with Him: 1 Thes. 5:17. Pray without ceasing. Eph. 6:18. Praying always. Col. 4:2. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Rom. 12:12. Continuing instant in prayer. Luke 18:1. Men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Communion with God should touch every changing experience: as in genuine human fellowship, thought and feeling elicited by recurring events spring to natural expression, so should it be with our fellowship with God—only freer and fuller, as God is nearer, more sympathetic and responsive. Hence the Psalmist's fervent conclusion: Ps. 73:28. It is good for me to draw near to God. Ejaculatory prayer: Neh. 2:4. So I prayed to the God of heaven (and then answered the king). Importunate boldness and impassioned energy are commended by word and example: Ps. 55:22. Cast thy burden upon the Lord. Heb. 4:16. Come boldly unto the throne of grace. Matt. 7:7. Ask, seek, knock. Luke 18:1-8 (the importunate widow).

BSB1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

中圣经中所记的祷告——旧约：亚伯拉罕为所多玛代求（创世记 18:23-33）；雅各在玛哈念与在毗努伊勒（创世记 32:9-12, 24-32）；摩西在利非订，以及金牛犊之后的四次代求（出埃及记 32:11-14, 31-32；33:11-18；34:9），并他那个伟大的祈求『求你显出你的荣耀给我看』及其应允；撒母耳，与摩西并列为祷告的人（诗篇 99:6；耶利米书 15:1）；大卫的感恩与赞美（撒母耳记下 7:25-29）；所罗门求智慧，及其献殿之祷；以利亚；以利沙；亚撒；约沙法；希西家与以赛亚；耶利米；但以理（但以理书 9:3-19）；以斯拉；尼希米；阿摩司的代求蒙应允（阿摩司书 7:1-6）。新约：基督的祷告（参主题词条：基督在世 032）；税吏（路加福音 18:13）；教会最早被记下的祷告（使徒行传 4:24-31）；司提反（7:59-60）；扫罗（9:6）；保罗在书信中的祷告，值得细读（以弗所书 1:15-23；3:14-19；腓立比书 1:9-11；歌罗西书 1:9-13；帖撒罗尼迦后书 1:11-12）。另参主祷文（105）。神愿意我们与他有习以为常、不住的相交：帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:17 —— 不住地祷告。以弗所书 6:18 —— 随时……祷告。歌罗西书 4:2 —— 你们要恒切祷告，在此儆醒感恩。罗马书 12:12 —— 祷告要恒切。路加福音 18:1 —— 人常常祷告，不可灰心。与神的相交应当触及每一段变动的经历：正如在真实的人间友谊中，随事而生的思想与情感会自然而然地流露出来；我们与神的相交也当如此——只是更自由、更充分，因为神更近，更能体恤、更肯回应。因此诗人才发出那句恳切的结论：诗篇 73:28 —— 但我亲近神是与我有益。短祷（急祷）：尼希米记 2:4 —— 我默祷天上的神（随即回答王）。恳切的胆量与炽热的力度，圣经以言语与榜样并加称许：诗篇 55:22 —— 你要把你的重担卸给耶和华。希伯来书 4:16 —— 只管坦然无惧地来到施恩的宝座前。马太福音 7:7 —— 祈求、寻找、叩门。路加福音 18:1-8（恒切求告的寡妇）。

EN[Whatsoever it is that presses thee, tell thy Father; put over the matter into His hand, and so thou shalt be freed from that dividing, perplexing care that the world is full of. When thou art either to do or suffer anything, when thou art about any purpose or business, tell God of it, and acquaint Him with it; yea, burden Him with it, and thou hast done for matter of caring: no more care, but quiet, sweet diligence in thy duty, and dependence on Him for the carriage of thy matters. Roll thy cares, and thyself with them, as one burden, all upon thy God. Leighton.] [Communion with God was never more needful than now. Feverish activity rules in all spheres of life; Christian effort is multiplied and systematized beyond all precedent; and all these things make calm fellowship with God hard to compass. We are so busy thinking, discussing, defending, inquiring, preaching, teaching and working, that we have no time and no leisure of heart for quiet contemplation—without which the exercise of the intellect upon Christ's truth will not feed, and busy activity in Christ's cause may starve the soul. Alexander Maclaren.] [Prayer is a reasonable and rational exercise of the soul. If we have a Father in heaven, it is reasonable that we should come into touch with Him: to be perpetually in His presence, and yet preserve a stolid silence, would be a profoundly irrational procedure. Not to go to God your Father in your need, not to ask His help, not to cultivate His friendship, not to pray—that is to act irrationally to the last degree. A prayerless life is indefensible from any standpoint. S. G. Howe.] [Everywhere God works by law, by order, by method. But our Lord taught us that prayer is not the attempt to drag down the Divine operations to the level of our folly: prayer is a method by which we lift up our will into correspondence with the methods of God. There are stores of blessing which God intends for us, but which He will not give unless we energetically correspond with His law, with His method, by prayer. Prayer is as fruitful a correspondence with the method of God as work—as fruitful and as necessary. Some things you can obtain by work without prayer; some things by prayer without other work; some things by the combination of working and praying; but no things at all without your co-operation. And co-operation by prayer has no kind of rational difficulty attendant upon it which does not attend equally upon co-operation by the method of work: you have no kind of right to put the reign of law as an obstacle to prayer, unless you are prepared to make the reign of law an obstacle to your doing anything to get your own living. C. Gore.]

BSB1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

中〔无论什么事压着你，就告诉你的父；把这件事挪进他的手中，你就得脱离那种撕扯人、搅扰人的挂虑——这世界满了这种挂虑。当你要去做什么、或要去受什么的时候，当你着手任何计划或事务的时候，就把它告诉神，让他知道；是的，把它压到他身上，你在『挂虑』这一项上就算办妥了：不再有挂虑，只有安静甘美地尽你的本分，并倚靠他去料理你的事情。把你的挂虑，连同你自己，当作一个担子，整个卸在你的神身上。莱顿（Leighton）〕〔与神的相交，从来没有比今天更需要。热病般的忙碌统治着生活的一切领域；基督教的事工被增殖、被系统化到前所未有的程度；而这一切都使『安静地与神相交』变得难以做到。我们忙于思考、辩论、护教、探究、讲道、教导、做工，以致没有时间、心里也没有余闲去安静默想——而缺了这默想，理智在基督真理上的运作便不能得饱，为基督事业的忙碌活动反可能把灵魂饿死。麦克拉伦（Alexander Maclaren）〕〔祷告是灵魂合乎理性的操练。我们若在天上有一位父，那么与他保持联络就是合理的：长久在他面前，却始终保持木然的沉默，那才是极不合理的行径。在需要中不去找你父神，不求他帮助，不培养与他的友谊，不祷告——这才是不合理到极点的行为。无祷告的人生，从任何立场看都是站不住的。豪（S. G. Howe）〕〔神在各处都是按律、按序、按法而工作。但我们的主教导我们：祷告并不是企图把神的运作拉低到我们愚妄的水平；祷告乃是一种方法，我们借以把自己的意志提升上去，与神的方法相对接。神有一批批的福分是要给我们的，但除非我们借祷告积极地与他的律、他的方法相对接，他就不给。祷告与做工一样，都是与神方法的富有成效的对接——一样有效，也一样必要。有些事你可以靠做工、不靠祷告得着；有些事可以靠祷告、不靠别的做工得着；有些事要靠做工与祷告合起来得着；但没有一件事是不需要你的合作就能得着的。而『以祷告合作』所面临的理性难题，没有一样不是『以做工合作』同样面临的：你没有任何权利把『律的统治』当作反对祷告的障碍——除非你也准备好把『律的统治』当作你为糊口而做任何事情的障碍。戈尔（C. Gore）〕