一月二日

恒切禱告（西4:2）

這節經文裡有一個很大的論到禱告的題目，它既可作我們的榜樣，叫我們明白禱告的事，而且也有寶貝的應許。我們讀聖經時開卷不久就看到：“那時候人才求告耶和華的名。”正當我們合起書來的時候，熱切的“阿們”又縈繞於我們耳中。例子不甚枚舉：此處我們看到摔跤的雅各，彼處又看到每日禱告三次的但以理和全心求告神的大衛。在山上我們看到以利亞，在獄中我們看到保羅和西拉。我們有很多的命令，也有無數的應許，這叫我們明白禱告的重要和需要。神在他的話中所看重的事，也叫我們在生活上表現出來。他說了很多關於禱告的話，是因為他知道我們很需要禱告。我們的需要非常深切，甚至到天堂的時候，我們還不停止我們的禱告。你不感到有什麼需要嗎？那末，求神憐憫你，使你知道你的可憐！一個不禱告的人，是一個沒有基督的人。禱告是信主之嬰孩口中的牙牙學語，是奮戰之信徒的殺敵呐喊，是臨終之聖徒睡在耶穌懷中的安魂詩歌。它是基督徒的呼吸、標語、安慰、力量和尊榮。若你是神的兒女，你必願尋求你父的慈面，並在你父的愛中生活。要求神叫你今年能夠聖潔、謙卑、熱心並忍耐，與基督的交通更密切，並常進入他愛的筵宴所。求神叫你作別人的榜樣和祝福，並叫你的生活更能榮耀你的主。“恒切禱告”要作我們今年一年的標語。

“不住祈禱因主是近，不住祈禱主全要聽。真神已許決不失信，不住祈禱主必應允。”

January 2

"Continue in prayer." --Colossians 4:2

It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, "Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;" and just as we are about to close the volume, the "Amen" of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob--there a Daniel who prayed three times a day--and a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in His Word, He intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If He has said much about prayer, it is because He knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities, that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Dost thou want nothing? Then, I fear thou dost not know thy poverty. Hast thou no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord's mercy show thee thy misery! A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian. If thou be a child of God, thou wilt seek thy Father's face, and live in thy Father's love. Pray that this year thou mayst be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house of His love. Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayst live more to the glory of thy Master. The motto for this year must be, "Continue in prayer."