2008年4月18日 星期五

2008-04-18 Devotionals Today

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青草地上


當神向我們的禱告說「不」

粵語 國語

第18天


讀經:   詩篇八十四篇
我既是神的兒女,而禱告又是作神兒女的其中一項特權,為何神有時會不應允我的禱告呢?祂既然知道我逼切為到某件事情向祂祈求,祂為何要一再拖延呢?

神當然有很多理由要向我們的禱告說「不」。神拒絕答允我們,可能是因為祂有更好的預備。聖經有不少這類例子。當亞伯拉罕祈求神承認以實瑪利就是他的嗣子(創十七18),神的回應便是「不」。神已經有一個更好的計劃。祂要讓亞伯拉罕和撒拉生一個兒子,那就是祂所應許的以撒。

當以利亞求神「取去我的性命吧!」(王上十九4)神的回應亦是「不,我有更好的預備」。以利亞繼續活了十多年,而且,更不用像一般人那樣死去。神的預備遠勝於答允他那個愚昧的祈禱。

又或是,神要等到適合的時間,才會答允我們的懇求。神是至高掌權的神,對於要如何、何時和何處應允我們的祈求,完全是由祂決定的。接受神說「稍等」,絕不會比接受神說「不」來得容易。從我們的角度來看,神大有理由要立即應允我們的禱告;可是,我們若願意安靜下來,等候神的時間,我們將來便可以看到神的時間是何等的恰到好處。

有些時候,神的回應會令我們感到意外。這刻,我們必須緊記羅馬書八章28節這句寶貴的經文,相信神叫萬事互相效力,為的是使我們得著益處。凡事都有神的計劃和旨意。

你曾經要耐心等候神的回應嗎?你的祈求曾經被神拒絕嗎?神的回應曾經叫你大感意外嗎?無論如何,我們相信愛我們的天父,總必將最好的給予祂的兒女。我們禱告的時候,若能真誠地輕輕對祂說:「父啊,不要照我的意思,要照你的意思」,你的內心必頓然充滿了釋然的平安與恩惠。

經訓:

「我的恩典夠你用的。」 哥林多後書十二章9節

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WHAT CAN HINDER OUR PRAYERS?
Day 18


Bible Reading:   Psalm 66: 8 – 20
The Bible encourages us to pray at least every day. Our Lord said we should ask God day by day for our daily bread. David said 'morning, noon and night will I pray'. Daniel prayed three times a day. How often do we pray?

The Bible also says that when I pray in the name of Christ and in the will of God, I can expect God to answer. But sometimes he doesn't answer. Why not?

God has shown us in his Word some of the reasons why he can't always answer. There are two main areas which are mentioned – the home and the heart.

Do you realise that a wrong attitude between husband and wife can stop God answering our prayers? Read 1 Peter 3:7. This can apply to our relationships with others too, but here Peter is saying very plainly to husbands 'Be right with your wife as well as right with God, if you expect your prayers to be answered'. Does that say anything to you today?

Then what about our hearts? When there is unconfessed sin in the heart God does not answer prayer. Read Isaiah 59:1-2. God cannot say 'sin is wrong for the unsaved, but it is all right for the Christian'. Does that speak to you today?

An unforgiving spirit can stop answers to our prayers. Read what Christ said in Matthew 6:14. Forgiving someone else is sometimes the hardest thing we are faced with, but if we want to be what God wants us to be; if we want God to answer our prayers, we need to forgive those whom we think have sinned against us. Read Ephesians 4:32 also.

These hindrances can all be taken away. Repentance and confession are the first steps. Do you need to take them today? It could be the beginning of a new life of prayer, victory and blessing. Do you want that? Are you willing to do that today?

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