三月二十二日
他就稍往前走，俯伏在地禱告……（太26:39）
主在受難之時的禱告可以給我們很多教訓。他的禱告是單獨的禱告。他甚至撇下三個可愛的門徒。信徒啊！要多多獨自禱告，特別是在受苦受難的時候。家庭的禱告、團體的禱告、教會中的禱告是不夠的，這些雖很寶貴，最好的香是你私自靈修時在香爐上所點起來的，在那裡除了神之外，沒有人能聽到你的禱告。他的禱告是謙卑的禱告。路加說他“跪下禱告”，馬太說他“俯伏在地”。那麼，你這位尊大之主的卑微僕人當在什麼地方禱告呢？有什麼樣的灰塵遮沒了你的臉呢？謙卑在禱告中給我們一個很好的立足地，我們沒有達到神面前的盼望，除非先自己謙卑，到了時候他必使我們升高。他的禱告是孝順的禱告。“阿爸！父。”在試煉中我們以兒子的名分來祈求是很有力量的。若你是他的民就沒有權，因為你背叛之後一切的權柄都被褫奪，但兒女受父親保護的權柄是不能被奪去的。我們不要怕說：“我的父啊！請聽我的呼求。”要留意他的禱告是繼續的禱告。他禱告了三次。若你的禱告不獲勝就不要停止，要像那位恒求不懈的寡婦一樣，她得第一個要求不被應允是絕不停止的。要恒久禱告，並且要在禱告蒙允之後誠心感謝。最後，他的禱告是聽命的禱告。“然而不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。”你聽從，神就聽從你。要讓神作主，那麼他的打算必然是最好的。你既把禱告放在他的手中就當知足，他知道怎樣答應你，何時答應你，並決定什麼當答應你、什麼不當答應你。所以要求，要恒切地、誠懇地、謙卑地、聽命地祈求，一直等到蒙了神的應允。
March 22
“And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and
prayed.” –Matthew 26:39
There are several instructive features in
our Saviour’s prayer in His hour of trial. It was lonely prayer. He withdrew
even from His three favoured disciples. Believer, be much in solitary prayer,
especially in times of trial. Family prayer, social prayer, prayer in the
Church, will not suffice, these are very precious, but the best beaten spice
will smoke in your censer in your private devotions, where no ear hears but
God’s.
It was humble prayer. Luke says He knelt,
but another evangelist says He “fell on His face.” Where, then, must
be THY place, thou humble servant of the great Master? What dust and ashes
should cover thy head! Humility gives us good foot-hold in prayer. There is no
hope of prevalence with God unless we abase ourselves that He may exalt us in
due time.
It was filial prayer. “Abba, Father.”
You will find it a stronghold in the day of trial to plead your adoption. You
have no rights as a subject, you have forfeited them by your treason; but
nothing can forfeit a child’s right to a father’s protection. Be not afraid to
say, “My Father, hear my cry.”
Observe that it was persevering prayer. He
prayed three times. Cease not until you prevail. Be as the importunate widow,
whose continual coming earned what her first supplication could not win.
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.
Lastly, it was the prayer of resignation. “Nevertheless, not as I
will, but as thou wilt.” Yield, and God yields. Let it be as God wills,
and God will determine for the best. Be thou content to leave thy prayer in his
hands, who knows when to give, and how to give, and what to give, and what to
withhold. So pleading, earnestly, importunately, yet with humility and
resignation, thou shalt surely prevail.
