卫斯理约翰祷告观（十四）〈禁食祷告〉

祷告会 6.7.2011

引言

大家好！

今晚让我们开始学习会主的禁食祷告观。

以下内容取之http://www.worldmethodist.org/prayerandfasting.htm

What is the “Wesleyan Pattern for Prayer and Fasting?”

Each Thursday evening, after the evening meal, until mid-afternoon on each Friday, Methodist people are invited to follow Wesley’s example of fasting and prayer. During this time he did not take solid food but fasted and focused much of his time in prayer.

What is a fast?

Normally persons do not use solid food, but continue with liquids during such a short but regular fast.

What is the connection between prayer and fasting?

Fasting is not a diet; it is a discipline that enables one to focus his or her prayers.

When does this prayer and fasting take place?

It is hope that many will regularly follow the pattern, but it is urged for the people to particularly follow the pattern of prayer and fasting each week between Easter and Pentecost.

Who is invited to participate in the “Wesleyan Pattern of Prayer and Fasting?”

John Wesley expected the “preachers” to participate, and he wanted all of the Methodist leaders and people to follow this discipline.

Why this pattern?

Methodist people are invited to discover the power in this regular pattern and discipline that John Wesley followed for a half a century. For Wesley, the more important reason for fasting was that fasting is a help to prayer.

卫斯理公会的祷告与禁食的模式是怎样的？

每星期四傍晚，晚餐后直到星期五中午，卫理宗的信徒都被邀请来参与如此的祷告与禁食。在这段时间没有享用固体食物而禁食并专注於祷告事工上。

什么是禁食？

通常没有吃固体食物都以液体为代替之在这段禁食的时段中。

祷告与禁食应在什么时候操练？

盼望大家会按着所指定的方式进行。特别是每周的祷告与禁食方式，也在复活节与五旬节之间。

谁被邀请来参加卫斯理公会的祷告与禁食？

卫斯理约翰期望从牧者到参与者并且全体卫理公会领袖及会众都跟随这规则。

为何是这方式？

卫斯理约翰已引用这方式半世纪，因此他盼望并邀请卫理信徒都能藉此方式来经历能力。卫斯理更看重禁食乃是协助祷告的动力。

结论

只有祷告没有禁食是在属灵操练功课上学习一半。

有祷告又有禁食但没有一个规格或方式也恐怕无法长期持续下去。

会主卫斯理约翰已引用了半世纪这种方式。实际上已证明是有果效的。因此，你我还在犹疑什么？

讨论问题

1〕 分享你个人祷告与禁食的经历。

2〕 你会如何回应卫斯理的祷告与禁食的方式？

3〕 今晚所得着的信息是什么？