三月二十二日
他就稍往前走，俯伏在地祷告……（太26:39）
主在受难之时的祷告可以给我们很多教训。他的祷告是单独的祷告。他甚至撇下三个可爱的门徒。信徒啊！要多多独自祷告，特别是在受苦受难的时候。家庭的祷告、团体的祷告、教会中的祷告是不够的，这些虽很宝贵，最好的香是你私自灵修时在香炉上所点起来的，在那里除了神之外，没有人能听到你的祷告。他的祷告是谦卑的祷告。路加说他“跪下祷告”，马太说他“俯伏在地”。那么，你这位尊大之主的卑微仆人当在什么地方祷告呢？有什么样的灰尘遮没了你的脸呢？谦卑在祷告中给我们一个很好的立足地，我们没有达到神面前的盼望，除非先自己谦卑，到了时候他必使我们升高。他的祷告是孝顺的祷告。“阿爸！父。”在试炼中我们以儿子的名分来祈求是很有力量的。若你是他的民就没有权，因为你背叛之后一切的权柄都被褫夺，但儿女受父亲保护的权柄是不能被夺去的。我们不要怕说：“我的父啊！请听我的呼求。”要留意他的祷告是继续的祷告。他祷告了三次。若你的祷告不获胜就不要停止，要像那位恒求不懈的寡妇一样，她得第一个要求不被应允是绝不停止的。要恒久祷告，并且要在祷告蒙允之后诚心感谢。最后，他的祷告是听命的祷告。“然而不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。”你听从，神就听从你。要让神作主，那么他的打算必然是最好的。你既把祷告放在他的手中就当知足，他知道怎样答应你，何时答应你，并决定什么当答应你、什么不当答应你。所以要求，要恒切地、诚恳地、谦卑地、听命地祈求，一直等到蒙了神的应允。
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.
