| 保羅是代禱者 | |
| 經文: 「我在父面前屈膝，求祂按著祂豐盛的榮耀，藉著祂的靈，叫你們心裡的力量剛強起來。」（以弗所書三：14～16） | |
| 在大家印象中使徒保羅是個偉大的宣教士，偉大的作者，偉大的講道者，但我們很少想到他是殷勤的代禱者，他常通宵達旦，或是禁食，切切懇求天上的上帝，祝福他手中所作的工，以及他所服事的教會。 我們看看保羅為以弗所教會以及帖撒羅尼迦教會所做的禱告：「我們晝夜的祈求，要見你們的面，……，在我們父上帝面前，心裡堅固，成為聖潔，無可責備。」（帖前三：10、13）對羅馬人，保羅禱告：「我怎樣不住的提到你們。」（羅一：9）對腓利比教會，保羅說：「每逢為你們眾人祈求的時候，常是歡歡喜喜的祈求。（腓一：4）對歌羅西教會，保羅說：「自從聽見的日子，也就為你們不住的禱告祈求，願你們在一切屬靈的智慧悟性上，滿心知道上帝的旨意」（西一：9）「我願意你們曉得我為你們和老底嘉人，並一切沒有與我親自見面的人，是何等的盡心竭力。」（西二：1） 他晝夜向上帝祈求，將聖靈的光照及能力，充充足足地賞賜給眾弟兄，而且他深信他的禱告必蒙垂聽達至天庭。另一方面，他也明白他需要弟兄姐妹的代禱，「藉著聖靈的愛，勸你們與我一同竭力，為我祈求上帝。」（羅十五：30）「你們以祈禱幫助我們，好叫許多人為我們謝恩。」（林後一：11），「也為我祈求，使我得著口才，能以放膽，開口講明福音的奧秘。」（弗六：19）「藉著你們的祈禱，和耶穌基督之靈的幫助，終必叫我得救。」（腓一：19） 牧長和信徒之間的關係，緊緊依賴著彼此的關心代禱；也只有藉著這樣的屬靈連接，天上的福份與能力，才能沛然下降，教會也才明白五旬節的意義是什麼！ 「天父哪！我們謙卑俯伏在祢面前，求祢賜下同心合意的靈給教會，使我們知道如何火熱地為他人代禱，奉耶穌的名禱告，阿們。」 | |
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| PAUL AS AN INTERCESSOR | |
| Scripture: "I bow my knees unto the Father, that He would grant you to be strengthened with might by His Spirit." — EPH. iii. 14, 16. | |
| We think of Paul as the great Missionary, the great Preacher, the great Writer, the great Apostle "in labours more abundant." We do not sufficiently think of him as the Intercessor, who sought and obtained, by his supplication, the power that rested upon all his other activities, and brought down the blessing that rested on the churches that he served. We see above what he wrote to the Ephesians. Think of what he said to the Thessalonians (1 Thess. iii. 10, 13): "Night and day praying exceedingly, that we might perfect that which is lacking in your faith, to the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness." To the Romans (chap. i. 9): "Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers." To the Philippians (chap. i. 4): "Always in every prayer of mine for you all, making request with joy." And to the Colossians (chap. i. 9 ; ii. 1 ): "We do not cease to pray for you. I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you." Day and night he cried to God in his intercession for them, that the light and the power of the Holy Spirit might be in them; and as earnestly as he believed in the power of his intercession for them, did he also believe in the blessing that theirs would bring upon him. "I beseech you, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me" (Rom. xv. 30). "God will yet deliver us, ye also helping together by prayer for us" (2 Cor. i. 10, 11). "Praying also for me, that I may open my mouth boldly" (Eph. vi. 18, 19; Col. iv. 3; 2 Thess. iii. 1). "This shall turn to my salvation through your prayer" (Phil, i 19). The whole relationship between pastor and people depends on the united continual prayerfulness. Their whole relationship to each other is a heavenly one, spiritual and Divine, and can only be maintained by unceasing prayer. It is when ministers and people waken up to the consciousness that the power and blessing of the Holy Ghost is waiting for their united and unceasing prayer, that the Church will begin to know something of what Pentecostal Apostolic Christianity is. Ever blessed Father, we do most humbly beseech Thee, restore again graciously to Thy Church the spirit of supplication, and intercession — for Jesus' sake. AMEN. | |
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