卫斯理约翰的祷告观(五)
祷告会 27.04.2011
为亲人、友人代祷
主啊!恩准我如此祷告:
赐福予我的父母亲及我的亲人们都会敬畏祢的名。施恩赐福他们的身、心与灵,让他们的言语及工作都完全。祢也成为他们的引导者直到离世。祝福我的朋友们,赦免我的敌人,并让全球的人类拥有祢爱的知识。愿祢也怜悯那一些在思想、生理及生活状况痛苦中的人。在苦难中赐下忍耐于他们以致他们从苦难中寻找到喜乐并接纳他们与我最终进入祢的祝福的国度里。藉着主的圣名求。阿们。
A Prayer for Relations, Friends etc. to be used after Morning and Evening Prayer
VOUCHSAFE, O Lord, to bless my father and mother, and all my relations, with the fear of thy name. Bless them in their souls and bodies; perfect them in every good word and work, and be thou their guide unto death. Bless my friends, forgive my enemies; and grant unto all mankind the knowledge and love of thee. Have mercy upon all who are afflicted in mind, body or estate. Give them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions; and receive them and me at last into thy blessed kingdom, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.[1]
饭前感恩祷文
主啊!我向祢恳求,藉着祢的怜悯将祢的恩福赐下供应于我,无论是我吃或喝或做什么,我都能荣耀与赞美祢。藉主耶稣基督我的主祷告。阿们、
Grace before Meal
O Lord, I beseech thee, give thy blessing with what thy mercy has here provided me with, that whether I eat or drink, or whatsoever I do, I may do all to thy glory and praise, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.[2]
饭后祷文
主啊!我的神,由祢的恩惠与慈爱,我所领受的一切及祢的怜悯,让我高举祢的圣名。祢以恩典喂养我的魂,使我能在食物与饮品中成全祢的恩惠的心意。藉着主耶稣基督我救主的名求。阿们。
After Meals
O Lord my God, I bless thy holy name for this mercy, which I have now received from thy bounty and goodness. Feed now my soul with thy grace, that I may make it my meat and drink to do thy gracious will, through Jesus Christ my Saviour. Amen.[3]
分析
每天我们怎样为我们身边的人祷告,我们为他们代祷的内容又是什么?
我要由约翰卫斯理的祷文中回应几件事。
让我们看到:
1〕 注重敬畏神-fear thy name
2〕 注重身、心与灵的祝福-souls and bodies
3〕 注重完全(圣洁)的生活-perfect them
4〕 对人两种对比,bless vs forgive
两种心态不同却都非常积极的
5〕 愿万人都认识神的爱也进入神的国度
另一方面,在饮食中:
1〕 无论做任何事都要荣耀与赞美他。
2〕 满足神所给的一切恩惠。
问题讨论
1〕 你有否为身边的人天天代求?现今你有否学习如何为他们代求?请分享。
2〕 对饭前谢恩祷告,我深信你已习惯;但饭后谢恩可能不惯,你的意见又如何?
[1] The Works of john Wesley vols. 11-12 Thoughts, Addresses, Prayer, Letters (Grand Rapids Baker Books, 2007)272.