十一月十二日[mp3_embed playlst=”/downloading/audio/evening/11/1112.mp3″]
经文: 耶时,耶稣出去上山祷告。整夜祷告上帝。(路加福音六:12)
如果真有人可以不靠祷告而活的,那就是我们无瑕疵的、完全的主,然而,没有一人像祂样那么勤于祈祷!祂对父的爱是那么深,愿意不断与祂相交。祂对祂百姓的爱是如此强烈,所以愿意不停为他们代求。耶稣的祷告是我们学习的榜样。祂所选的祷告时刻是极佳的。夜晚,是安静的时刻,群众不会搅扰祂。那是停止活动的时刻,除了耶稣以外,人人都停止了辛劳工作。困盹教人忘记仇敌,不再到祂跟前寻求解救,而这正是祂为他们代求的时刻。人藉睡眠得到休息,祂藉祷告使自己复苏。祈祷之地点也是经过细心选择的。祂独自一人,无人侵入亦无人窥视。黑暗安静的山是上帝爱子祷告的最佳隐密处。在夜半人静万籁俱寂之中,天地都能听到这位奥秘之主的呻吟叹息,因为在祂身上天地宇宙混为一体。祂不停的恳求是与众人不同的。长夜于祂并不漫长。寒风不能冷却祂的热诚。阴森的黑暗不能教祂的信心黯淡,孤独不能抑制祂的代求。这个祷告的理由是值得我们注意的,那是在祂的敌人被激怒之后。祷告是祂的避难所,是祂的慰藉。拣选十二位门徒以前,祂先祷告。祷告是祂新工作的先锋。我们要学习耶稣,当我们面临试验或为主的荣耀作新的努力时,应先求助于特别的祈祷。主耶稣啊,求祢教导我们祷告。
Evening, November 12
Scripture: “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”(Luke 6:12)
If ever one of woman born might have lived without prayer, it was our spotless, perfect a Lord, and yet none was ever so much in supplication as he! Such was his love to his Father, that he loved much to be in communion with him: such his love for his people, that he desired to be much in intercession for them. The fact of this eminent prayerfulness of Jesus is a lesson for us-he hath given us an example that we may follow in his steps. The time he chose was admirable, it was the hour of silence, when the crowd would not disturb him; the time of inaction, when all but himself had ceased to labour; and the season when slumber made men forget their woes, and cease their applications to him for relief. While others found rest in sleep, he refreshed himself with prayer. The place was also well selected. He was alone where none would intrude, where none could observe: thus was he free from Pharisaic ostentation and vulgar interruption. Those dark and silent hills were a fit oratory for the Son of God. Heaven and earth in midnight stillness heard the groans and sighs of the mysterious Being in whom both worlds were blended. The continuance of his pleadings is remarkable; the long watches were not too long; the cold wind did not chill his devotions; the grim darkness did not darken his faith, or loneliness check his importunity. We cannot watch with him one hour, but he watched for us whole nights. The occasion for this prayer is notable; it was after his enemies had been enraged-prayer was his refuge and solace; it was before he sent forth the twelve apostles-prayer was the gate of his enterprise, the herald of his new work. Should we not learn from Jesus to resort to special prayer when we are under peculiar trial, or contemplate fresh endeavours for the Master’s glory? Lord Jesus, teach us to pray.