分类： 《新城要理问答》

问题44：什么是洗礼？
答：洗礼是奉父、子、圣灵的名用水施洗；它象征并印证我们被接纳进基督，我们的罪被洁净，以及我们对主和祂教会的委身。
儿童版：洗礼是奉父、子、圣灵的名用水施洗。

Question 44: What is Baptism?
Answer: Baptism is the washing with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; it signifies and seals our adoption into Christ, our cleansing from sin, and our commitment to belong to the Lord and to his church.
For Kids: Baptism is the washing with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

歌谱 Lead Sheet

经文

《马太福音》28 章19 节：

　　所以，你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗。

注解

乔治·赫伯特

当祂看到一片幽暗的树丛，
目光没有停留，直望向高天。
故当我看到我的罪，我的眼目要回到那流血之泉，
发自高天之上，我亲爱救主被刺的肋旁。
有福之泉啊！不要让我们的罪增厚增宽，
不然，求用泪水淹没我渐长的罪孽。
用祢的救恩丈量我一生的年日，
将雪白的石膏涂抹我的罪。
祢使生命册认得我的名，
故无论我将来犯何罪愆，
我主要涂抹净尽。

默想

科林·汉森

　　当我告诉我的牧师我想成为教会的一员时，他给了我一个简单的理由说我为什么应该受洗：因为耶稣是这么做的。不过，耶稣为什么要进到约旦河，要求祂的表兄约翰把祂放在水里呢？毕竟，祂没有要认的罪，不需要悔改啊。

　　面对耶稣的请求，我一直和约翰一样感到难以置信。「我当受祢的洗」，为基督预备道路的约翰说，「祢反倒上我这里来吗？」（太3:14）

　　是的，耶稣回答说：「因为我们理当这样尽诸般的义」（太3:15）。

　　借着洗礼，耶稣将自己等同于所有的罪人，这群人因着罪有一天都要死在神的审判之下（参见创3:19）。《创世记》6至7 章描写神审判人的恶，用洪水灭绝了所有人，只留下挪亚和他的一家，从此水成为神审判的标志。尽管耶稣永不会犯罪，但祂还是死在了罪人的手上，为了承受神对这个罪恶世界的忿怒。

　　当然，水也是生命所必需的。在有光之前，神的灵运行在水面上（参见创1:2）。等到复活升天的耶稣再来开启新天新地的那一天，一道生命水的河要从新耶路撒冷城中、神和羔羊的宝座流出来（参见启22:1-2）。任何与神为敌的人若跟随祂进到水里再上来，就要做神之子的弟兄和姐妹，与祂一同承受永远的基业。

　　洗礼是我们归入神之家的标志和印记。早在创世以先，在神用尘土造了亚当之前，父、子和圣灵完美合一地相爱。在耶稣的洗礼中，我们注意到所有的三个位格同时出现。当耶稣从水里上来，神的灵仿佛鸽子降下，落在祂身上（参见太3:16）；为了不让人误解，父又从天上称赞说：「这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的」（太3:17）。

　　每次想起我的洗礼，我都听到这些祝福的话。耶稣被钉死在审判之下，使我可以喝永生之水。因为耶稣称我为弟兄，我可以称神为父。因为圣灵仿佛鸽子降在祂身上，我得与神和好，不再是祂的仇敌。

　　我从前因着罪与神疏远，算不得祂的子民。但如今我是所有和我一样奉父、子和圣灵的名受洗之人的弟兄。教会是我们的家，我们排除彼此之间的分歧和争议聚在一起，承认我们有同一位主，有一样的信仰（参见弗4:5）。我们已经被托付大使命，要跟随约翰的脚踪，呼召人悔改，并将神的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的耶稣表明给他们（参见约1:29）。我们施洗是为了让他们永远记住，神爱他们，喜悦他们，因为他们现在是属基督的。

祷告

　　洁净人的主，我们无法清洁自己的心，唯有求祢洗去我们的罪。我们为洗礼向祢献上感恩，它虽不能救我们，却表明了我们的救恩，并使我们这些祢所收纳的儿女联合在一起，成为祢的子民。阿们。

Scripture

MATTHEW 28:19

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. . . .

Commentary

GEORGE HERBERT

As he that sees a dark and shady grove,
Stays not, but looks beyond it on the sky
So when I view my sins, mine eyes remove
More backward still, and to that water fly,
Which is above the heav’ns, whose spring and rent Is in my dear Redeemer’s pierced side.
O blessed streams! either ye do prevent
And stop our sins from growing thick and wide,
Or else give tears to drown them, as they grow.
In you Redemption measures all my time,
And spreads the plaster equal to the crime:
You taught the book of life my name, that so,
Whatever future sins should me miscall,
Your first acquaintance might discredit all.

Devotional

COLLIN HANSEN

When I told my pastor I wanted to become a church member, he offered a simple explanation for why I should then seek baptism: because Jesus did so. Why, though, did Jesus wade into the Jordan and ask his cousin John to lower him beneath the waters? After all, he had no sin to confess, no need to repent.

I’ve always sympathized with John’s incredulous response to Jesus’s request. “I need to be baptized by you,” said John, who pre- pared the way for the Christ, “and do you come to me?” (Matt. 3:14).

Yes, Jesus responded, “for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15).

In his baptism, Jesus identified with all of us who, because of sin, will someday die as a result of God’s judgment (Gen. 3:19). Water has been a sign of God’s judgment since Genesis 6–7, when God judged the wickedness of man and sent a flood to destroy all but Noah and his family. Though he never would sin, Jesus would nevertheless die at the hands of sinful men as he absorbed the wrath of God for the sinful world.

Water, of course, is also necessary for life. Before there was light, the Spirit of God hovered over the waters (Gen. 1:2). And one day when the resurrected and ascended Jesus returns to inaugurate the new heavens and the new earth, a river of life will flow from the throne of God and of the Lamb in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 22:1–2). Any who follow him into the waves as enemies of God will emerge as brothers and sisters of the Son of God, fellow heirs of his eternal inheritance.

Baptism is a sign and seal that we have been adopted into the family of God. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have loved one another in perfect unity since before creation, before God molded Adam from the dust. At Jesus’s baptism we notice all three persons. As Jesus emerges from the water, the Spirit of God descends like a dove and rests on him (Matt 3:16). So that no one will mistake the meaning of the sign, the Father boasts from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17).

Every time I remember my baptism, I hear these words of blessing. Jesus was plunged beneath the waters of judgment, so that I might drink the waters of everlasting life. Because Jesus calls me brother, I can call God my Father. Because the Spirit descended on him as a dove, I have peace with God, who once regarded me as his enemy.

Once I was outside the people of God, estranged from this family due to my sin. But now I am a brother to all who have been likewise baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The church is our home, the place where, despite our disagreements and disputes, we come together to confess that we have one Lord and one faith (Eph. 4:5). To us has been given the Great Commission to follow in John’s footsteps and call others to repentance while we point them to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). We baptize so they might always know that God loves them, that he is well pleased with them because they now belong to Christ.

Prayer

Cleansing One, we cannot purify our own hearts, but must come to you to wash away our sin. Thank you for water baptism, which does not save us but portrays our salvation and unites us as one people, your adopted sons and daughters. Amen.

问题43：什么是圣礼或礼仪？
答：神所赐下、并由基督设立的圣礼或礼仪，即洗礼和主的晚餐，是可见的标志和印记，表明我们通过祂的死和复活而联合成为一个信仰的团体。通过我们使用这些圣礼，圣灵更充分地向我们宣告并印证了福音的应许。
儿童版：洗礼和主的晚餐。

Question 43: What Are the Sacraments or Ordinances?
Answer: The sacraments or ordinances given by God and instituted by Christ, namely baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are visible signs and seals that we are bound together as a community of faith by his death and resurrection. By our use of them the Holy Spirit more fully declares and seals the promises of the gospel to us.
For Kids: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

歌谱 Lead Sheet

经文

《罗马书》6 章4 节和《路加福音》22章19-20节：

　　所以我们藉着洗礼归入死，和祂一同埋葬，原是叫我们一举一动有新生的样式，像基督藉着父的荣耀从死里复活一样。

　　又拿起饼来，祝谢了，就擘开，递给他们，说：「这是我的身体，为你们舍的，你们也应当如此行，为的是记念我。」饭后也照样拿起杯来，说：「这杯是用我血所立的新约，是为你们流出来的。」

注解

查尔斯·西缅

　　我认为洗礼和圣餐若被恰当地用于指定的用途，其价值是无可估量的；但若将其用于其不具备的功用，认为其包含和传递了人的救恩，那就是亵渎了……让我们来学习如何使用神的礼仪：我们应该为它们而感恩，应该尊重它们，应当在其中仰望神，并期盼借着它们领受神的恩典与平安。我们要尊重它们，但不要将其偶像化；我们要使用它们，但不能将其作为终极目标。任何人都不应仅仅因为参加了某种礼仪就以为自己变好了。

默想

提摩太·凯勒

　　圣礼分为两种：一次性的洗礼与经常性的圣餐，我们称呼这两者为圣礼，因为这是主耶稣基督吩咐我们去行的。我们称呼它们圣礼，是因为神借着圣礼这种特殊的方式来施恩与赐福。它们并不只是个人的私人经验。我们是在主里，是某个群体的成员，而洗礼与圣餐显明了我们属于这个群体，盟约的群体，一群属于耶稣的人。这就是为什么圣礼好像是界碑一样。《威斯敏斯特信条》写道：「又在属教会的人与世界其余的人之间设立一可见的区分。」

　　它们既是表征也是保证。我们称之为表征是因为它们象征了救恩的祝福：罪得赦免、领受圣灵、与耶稣基督同在并交通的能力。但这些不只是表征，也是保证。这意味着它们带给我们祝福，向我们保证（救恩），激发我们的信心，而我们的信心也接受这些祝福。

　　圣经中有些地方，比如《哥林多前书》10 章、《彼得前书》3 章，经文似乎在说圣礼的确蒙受了救恩的祝福。但其实是圣礼激发了我们的信心，而我们对主耶稣的信心才是真实接受祝福并拯救我们的。所以J.I. 巴刻写道：「传讲福音使福音能被听见，而圣礼使福音能被看见，神用这两种方式激发信心。」因此，圣礼的功能是作为恩典的途径。俗话说：「眼见为凭。」

祷告

　　赐福音的主，祢已经给了我们能看、能感受、能尝的恩典的记号。求祢帮助我们按照祢的命令遵守它们。愿它们将我们的眼目从自己身上转向祢救赎的工作。不要让我们以任何方式高举这些记号，以致我们不能专注于它们所指向的救主。阿们。

Scripture

ROMANS 6:4 AND LUKE 22:19–20

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

Commentary

CHARLES SIMEON

So say I of baptism and of the Lord’s Supper: “In their proper and appointed use they cannot be too highly valued: but, if abused to purposes for which they were not given, and looked to as contain- ing in themselves, and conveying of themselves, salvation to man, they are desecrated.” . . . Let us learn, then, from hence, how to use God’s ordinances—We should be thankful for them: we should honour them: we should look to God in them, and expect from God through them the communications of his grace and peace. They are to be reverenced, but not idolized; to be used as means, but not rested in as an end. No one is to imagine himself the better, merely because he has attended on any ordinances.

Devotional

TIMOTHY KELLER

There are two sacraments or ordinances. There’s baptism, which is once for all. And there’s the Lord’s Supper, which is ongoing and regular. We call both of them ordinances because Jesus Christ commands us to do them. But we call them sacraments because through them God’s blessing and grace come to us in unique ways. They are not just personal, individual experiences. We are members of a community, and baptism and the Lord’s Supper show that we belong to that community, the covenant community, the people who belong to Jesus. And that’s the reason why these are actually like boundary markers. The Westminster Confession says they “put a visible difference between those that belong to the church and the rest of the world.”

They are both signs and seals. We call them signs because they symbolize the blessings of salvation, forgiveness for sins, reception of the Holy Spirit, and the ability to commune with Jesus Christ in his presence. But they’re not only signs; they’re also seals. That means they actually bring these blessings to us. They assure us and stir up our faith, and it’s our faith that receives those blessings.

Some places in the Bible, such as 1 Corinthians 10 and 1 Peter 3, seem to say that it’s the sacraments that actually receive the blessings of salvation. But the sacraments stir up our faith, and our faith is what actually receives the blessings and what saves us. So J. I. Packer puts it like this: “As the preaching of the Word makes the gospel audible, so the sacraments make it visible, and God stirs up faith by both means.” Sacraments, therefore, function as a means of grace on the principle that, literally, seeing leads to believing.

Prayer

Giver of the Gospel, you have given us signs of your grace that can be seen, felt, and tasted. Help us to observe them according to your commands. May they turn our eyes away from ourselves and onto your saving work. Keep us from exalting the signs in any way that distracts us from the Savior to which they point. Amen.

问题42：怎样阅读和聆听神的话？
答：带着勤奋、预备和祷告，以便我们能够以信心来领受它，将它存在我们的心中，并在我们的生活中实践它。
儿童版：带着勤奋、预备和祷告，以便我们能够以信心来领受它，并在我们的生活中实践它。

Question 42: How is the Word of God to be Read and Heard?
Answer: With diligence, preparation, and prayer; so that we may accept it with faith, store it in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.
For Kids: With diligence, preparation, and prayer; so that we may accept it with faith and practice it in our lives.

歌谱 Lead Sheet

经文

《提摩太后书》3 章16 节至17 节：

　　圣经都是神所默示的，于教训、督责、使人归正、教导人学义都是有益的，叫属神的人得以完全，预备行各样的善事。

注解

托马斯·克兰麦

　　圣经是神的话，是最珍贵的宝石和地上最神圣的遗物，因此我建议你们所有来读和听这本书的人：带着你对神的敬畏和祂一切配得的尊崇，并运用你的知识，不是为了无聊辩论而得的虚荣，而是为了神的荣耀，为了加增美德和彼此造就。

默想

凯文·德扬

　　圣经不是一本普通的书，我们应用独特的方式来阅读。圣经是神默示（呼出）的，这就是为何《提摩太后书》3章16 节说：「圣经都是神所默示的」，是神所启示的。这并不意味着圣经还在持续默示。但无论世人是否被圣经的启示所激励，神的话始终是神的自我启示。这是神的话，是由神呼出的。神打开祂至高的嘴唇，并对我们说话，这些话是神的话语，也确实是神想要写在圣经上的。

　　这意味着我们应当以特别尊敬与特别谨慎的方式对待它。我们对待圣经要非常小心，我们要勤勉，需要准备好，要严肃对待，也要用特别尊敬的态度来对待这本书，因为这是神在对我们说话。降服在这话语之下的一种方式是：我们停止告诉神该做什么。现在神正在对我们说话。有位神学家曾经说过，成为基督徒就是要用手捂住嘴巴，保持安静。这并不是说我们不能像《诗篇》所描述的那样向神呼求，而是指我们要以尊敬的态度来对待圣经，要听从、完全顺服上帝的话。

　　我们读圣经，目的不只是为了了解其中的信息而已，圣经的启示远超信息本身，我们不是反对信息，神使用信息来做工。有比信息更重要的东西是我们想从圣经中得到的。我们想要信心，而这也是神想要的：用信心接受祂的话语，真正地喜爱祂、渴慕祂、倚靠祂。

　　当我们借着信心接受神的话语时，我们就会在心底牢记祂的话。我喜欢约翰·班扬说的，如果你刺穿耶稣，祂的血将是圣经，祂就是完全的经文，圣经由祂而出。这就是我们想要的，也是我们牢记经文的原因。

　　我们牢记然后践行经文，耶稣有没有说过，「人若爱我，你的内心就感到刺痛」？没有，尽管内心被刺痛是很好的，但耶稣并没有那么说过。但是祂说：「人若爱我，就必遵守我的道。」所以，如果我们真的爱神，我们必定会非常认真地服从神，遵行祂给我们的话。对我们而言，这就是我们的目标：被经文所改变，凭信拥抱祂，拜在祂脚下。

　　用最简单的话来说，我们必须用同样的态度来面对祂的话，就像我们来到神面前一样。如果神正在用经文对你说话，如果神向我们张开嘴说话，我们需要怎样回应呢？我们要非常仔细地聆听、非常勤奋地聆听、非常顺服地聆听、非常期待地聆听，而我们聆听的目的是：爱神并且遵守祂的命令。

祷告

　　赐圣经的主，求祢帮助我们看圣经为最宝贵的拥有。愿祢的话在我们的心中，在我们的口上，让它转变我们的思想，改变我们的生活。让我们专心学习，忠心遵行祢纯全的道。阿们。

Scripture

2 TIMOTHY 3:16–17

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Commentary

THOMAS CRANMER

Wherefore I would advise you all that come to the reading or hear- ing of this book, which is the word of God, the most precious jewel and most holy relic that remaineth upon earth; that ye bring with you the fear of God, and that ye do it with all due reverence, and use your knowledge thereof, not to vain glory of frivolous disputation, but to the honor of God, increase of virtue, and edification both of yourselves and others.

Devotional

KEVIN DEYOUNG

The Bible is not just another book, and so we ought to approach it in a unique way. The Bible is God-breathed: “All Scripture is breathed out by God” (2 Tim. 3:16). It’s inspired. That doesn’t mean that the Bible is inspiring. Now, it is inspiring. But whether anyone in the world is inspired by the Bible, the Bible is still inspired itself. It’s God’s Word to us. It’s God exhaling, God opening his most hallowed lips and speaking to us. So, this Word is God’s Word, and this Word is exactly what God wanted to be written down in Holy Scriptures.

That means we ought to approach Scripture with a special reverence and with special care. We come to the Bible very carefully. We want to be diligent. We want to be prepared. We want to take it seriously. And we also come to this book with a special reverence, because God is speaking to us. One of the ways to think of submitting to the Word is that we stop telling God what to do. God now speaks to us. A theologian once said that to be a Christian means you put your hand over your mouth and are silent. This doesn’t mean that we can’t ever cry out to God. Certainly the Psalms are full of that. But it means that we approach Scripture with reverence, wanting to hear from God, submitting ourselves fully to the Word of God.

When we come to the Bible, our aim is not just information. It’s never less than information—we’re not against information. God uses that. But it’s more than just information we’re trying to get from the Bible. We want faith. That’s what God wants: for us to accept the Word with faith, with a real delight, with a desire for it, a dependence upon it.

When we embrace God’s Word with faith, we store it up in our hearts. Charles Spurgeon said of John Bunyan that if you would prick him, his blood would be bibline. He was so full of the Scriptures that it came out of him. That’s what we want; that’s why we store it up.

And then we practice it. Did Jesus say, “If you love me, you will have a tingling sensation in your heart”? No, he didn’t say that, though that’s wonderful. But he said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). So if we are serious about loving God, we must be very serious about obeying God and obeying his Word to us. That’s the aim: to be transformed by it, to embrace it in faith, and to worship at his feet.

Really, in its simplest form, we ought to come to the Word of God with the same sort of attitude with which we’d come to God himself. If God spoke to you, which he does in the Scriptures, if God opened his mouth to us, how would we approach him? Well, I think we would listen carefully. We would listen diligently. We would listen submissively. We would listen expectantly. And we’d listen with an aim to love and obey.

Prayer

Giver of the Word, help us to treasure your Scriptures as our most precious possession. May it be in our minds and on our lips. Let it transform our thinking and reform our living. Make us attentive stu- dents and devoted servants of your perfect Word. Amen.

问题41：主祷文是什么？
答：我们在天上的父，愿人都尊祢的名为圣。愿祢的国降临。愿祢的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。我们日用的饮食，今日赐给我们。免我们的债，如同我们免了人的债。不叫我们遇见试探。救我们脱离凶恶。因为国度、权柄、荣耀，全是祢的，直到永远。阿们！
儿童版：我们在天上的父，愿人都尊祢的名为圣。愿祢的国降临。愿祢的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。我们日用的饮食，今日赐给我们。免我们的债，如同我们免了人的债。不叫我们遇见试探。救我们脱离凶恶。因为国度、权柄、荣耀，全是祢的，直到永远。阿们！

Question 41: What is the Lord’s Prayer?
Answer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Kids: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

歌谱 Lead Sheet

经文

《马太福音》6 章9 节：

所以，你们祷告要这样说：
我们在天上的父，
愿人都尊祢的名为圣……

注解

马丁·路德

　　你感到软弱和胆怯吗？血肉之身始终是信仰的障碍，会让你觉得自己不配或不适合热切地祈祷；或让你怀疑神会因为你是个罪人而不听你的祷告。紧紧抓住这句话：虽然我是一个不配的罪人，但神已经吩咐我，让我祷告，祂也应许会施恩垂听，不是因为我有什么价值，而是因着主基督的缘故。这样，你就能赶走心中的疑虑，欢喜快乐地跪下来祷告。这不是你配不配的问题，而是你的需要和祂的命令，尤其是祂已经将你要如何祷告和你当祈求什么摆在了你的面前，也放到了你的口中。因此你能欢快地借着主耶稣献上这些祷告，并将这些事放在祂的怀里，好让祂将这些祈求带到父的面前。

默想

胡安·桑切斯

　　当耶稣的门徒请祂教他们祷告时，耶稣给了他们一个祷告的范本，我们称之为主祷文。其实这是主示范的祷告，是耶稣教导门徒祷告的方式。这个祷告如此的激励人心，是因为它告诉我们某些事情。

　　首先，当我们说：「我们在天上的父」，这提醒我们创造宇宙的神是我们的天父，祂是我们在天上的父。祂是创造的父，供应人所需的父，维持宇宙运转的父，保护人的父。这也提醒我们，我们能够来到我们的天父面前让祂知道我们的所需。

　　耶稣也提醒我们，祂不只是我们的天父，也是我们的君王。所以，当我们说「愿祢的国降临，愿祢的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上」时，我们必须意识到我们的天父是君王。因此，我们是来到做宇宙君王的父亲面前，祂拥有对一切事物的主权。所以，面对神时，主示范的祷告提醒我们，我们首要的关注点是我们的天父是君王，而祂的孩子最大的喜乐就是祂的名被人尊为圣、祂的名被传扬。所以我们应当祷告：「神，求祢让祢的名被传扬。」我们应该明白，神是位格性的神，主祷文也是一种共同的祷告，「我们在天上的父」提醒我们，我们不是神唯一的孩子，我们是永生神的孩子们。我们的使命就是让祂的名在全地都被尊崇。这也是我们的渴望。而最终，这个世界非我家，我们盼望祂的国度最终被完全地建立起来。但在那之前，耶稣提醒我们，我们可以来到我们天父的面前。当我们犯罪得罪我们的天父、这位王时，我们能够请求祂的赦免，赦免我们的罪。我们对天父、这位君王所表现出的这种爱，也帮助我们用同样的方式原谅其他人。

　　当我们来到这位君王，也是我们的父面前时，我们也被教导要全然地日复一日的依靠祂。我想，我们现代人往往会忘记这一点。耶稣说要这样祷告：「我们日用的饮食，今日赐给我们」，这提醒我们要依靠我们的天父、君王对我们日复一日的供应。这是非常谦卑的祷告。

　　主示范的祷文还提醒我们每天要倚靠天父，我们的君王，直到神的国降临。我们必须了解这是场属灵的争战，而我们需要被保护，我们祈求我们的君王保护我们。事实上，使徒保罗也提醒我们，这是场属灵争战，但我们不是穿戴自己的盔甲，我们穿戴的是祂的盔甲。我们穿戴君王的盔甲，天父的盔甲。我们以天父的能力战斗，这对我们来说是有益的。无论我们的需求如何，无论我们的境况如何，无论我们的处境如何，记得要完全依靠、天天倚靠、时时刻刻，一呼一吸倚靠我们的天父与君王。我们可以投靠祂，来到祂的面前，向祂祈求我们的所需。

　　当我们活着的时候，让我们在生命中传扬祂的名、荣耀祂的名，无论是教会的整体，还是基督徒的个体；渴望祂的国降临，渴望耶稣的再来。但要明白，在那天来临之前，祂会赦免我们的罪，祂会供给我们日用的饮食，救我们脱离凶恶。

祷告

　　我们在天上的父，当我们用祢教导我们的祷告文祷告时，求祢不要让我们好像背空话一样，而是让这些祈求表达我们的心声。为了祢名的缘故，求祢的国临到我们，也借着我们降临。阿们。

Scripture

MATTHEW 6:9

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. . . .”

Commentary

MARTIN LUTHER

Do you, however, feel weak and timid? for flesh and blood always hinder faith, as if you were not worthy or fit and in earnest to pray; or do you doubt whether God has heard you, because you are a sinner? then cling to the word and say: Though I am a sinner and unworthy, yet I have the command of God, that tells me to pray, and his promise that he will graciously hear me, not because of my worthiness, but for the sake of the Lord Christ. By this means you can drive away the thoughts and doubts, and cheerfully kneel down and pray, not regarding your worthiness or unworthiness, but your need and his word upon which he tells you to build; especially since he has placed before you and put into your mouth the words how and what you are to pray for, so that you joyously send up these prayers through him, and can lay them in his bosom, that he may lay them by his own worthiness before the Father.

Devotional

JUAN SANCHEZ

When Jesus’s disciples asked him to teach them to pray, Jesus gave them a model prayer. We call it the Lord’s Prayer, but really it’s the Lord’s model prayer. It is the way Jesus taught his disciples to pray.

When we say, “Our Father,” we remember that the God who created the universe is our Father in heaven. He is the Father who pro- vides. He is the Father who sustains. He is the Father who protects. And the prayer reminds us that we are able to run to our Father to let our needs be known.

But Jesus also reminded us that he’s not only our Father but he’s also our King. So when we say, “Your kingdom come, your will be done,” we realize our Father is the King. We’re coming to our Father, who is the King of the universe, who has complete and total authority over all things. Our focus must first and foremost be on our Father, who is King. And the greatest joy for his children is that his name would be hallowed, that his name would be famous. And so we should pray, “God, make your name famous.” The Lord’s Prayer is also a corporate prayer. “Our Father” reminds us that we’re not an only child. Our desire is to make sure his name is hallowed over all the earth. Ultimately, this world is not our home, and we long for his kingdom to finally and fully be established. But until then, Jesus reminded us that we can go to our Father. When we fail our Father, when we fail our King, we can ask for forgiveness.

The Lord’s model prayer instructs us that we are utterly dependent upon our Father for all of our daily needs. I think modern-day people tend to forget this. Jesus said to pray in this way: “Give us this day our daily bread.” That is very humbling.

Finally, until God’s kingdom comes we need to understand that we are engaged in a spiritual battle, and we need protection. We ask our King to protect us. In fact, the apostle Paul reminds us that in this spiritual warfare that we don’t put on our armor, we put on God’s armor (Eph. 6:10–18). We put on our King’s armor. We put on our Father’s armor, and we fight in the strength of our Father. So it is right and good for us—whatever our needs or circumstances may be—to remember that we are utterly dependent, moment by moment, breath by breath, on our Father King, and we can run to him. We can come to him, and we can ask him for the things that we need.

As long as we have breath in us, let us live to make the King’s name famous, to hallow his name, both as a church and also as individual Christians, longing for his kingdom to come. Let us long for the return of Jesus, but know that until that day comes, he will pardon our sin, he will provide our daily bread, and he will protect us from the Evil One.

Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, when we pray the prayer that you taught us, keep us from reciting empty words. Let these petitions be the cries of our hearts. Bring your kingdom on earth to us and through us for your great name’s sake. Amen.

问题40：我们应该祷告什么？
答：神的全部话语都在指导和启发我们应该祷告什么，包括耶稣亲自教我们的祷告。
儿童版：神的全部话语都在指导和启发我们应该祷告什么。

Question 40: What Should We Pray?
Answer: The whole Word of God directs and inspires us in what we should pray, including the prayer Jesus himself taught us.
For Kids: The whole Word of God directs us in what we should pray.

歌谱 Lead Sheet

经文

《以弗所书》3 章14 节至21 节：

　　因此，我在父面前屈膝，（天上地上的各家都是从祂得名），求祂按着祂丰盛的荣耀，藉着祂的灵，叫你们心里的力量刚强起来。使基督因你们的信，住在你们心里，叫你们的爱心有根有基，能以和众圣徒一同明白基督的爱是何等长阔高深；并知道这爱是过于人所能测度的，便叫神一切所充满的，充满了你们。

　　神能照着运行在我们心里的大力，充充足足地成就一切，超过我们所求所想的。但愿祂在教会中，并在基督耶稣里，得着荣耀，直到世世代代，永永远远。阿们！

注解

约翰·屈梭多模

　　圣经蕴藏着巨大的宝藏，它足以满足任何的需要。保罗曾指出：「从前所写的圣经，都是为教训我们写的，叫我们这末世的人因圣经所生的忍耐和安慰，可以得着盼望。」（罗15:4 ；参见林前10:11）神的话真是一个宝库，有着各样的良方。因此，无论谁要放下愚蠢的骄傲、扑灭情欲的火焰、粉碎对钱财的贪念、轻视苦楚，还是要寻求喜乐，养成耐心，在圣经中祂都可以找到大量的方法。

默想

阿利斯泰·贝格

　　若问我们应该祷告什么，我们会本能地翻阅圣经，因为圣经会激励并指导我们。比如说，耶稣提醒我们要常常祷告，不可灰心，或者保罗提醒腓立比人应当一无挂虑，只要凡事借着祷告求助于神。是圣经确保我们有据可循。当我们祷告时，我们是在求神，使我们和祂人行在合神心意的路上。若我们这样祷告，我们就相信神必会成就。

　　所以我们可以为我们的世界祷告，希望世人能够相信福音。正如耶稣所说的，我们可以为被送到禾场的工人祷告；我们可以为福音在我们自己身上的工作祷告，使我们可以成为圣洁、喜乐且感恩的人。虽然我们祷告了这么多，但我们要记得神是乐意赐福我们更多的，甚至不需要我们花时间来求问祂。

　　正如耶稣所说：「你们虽然不好，尚且知道拿好东西给儿女，何况你们在天上的父，岂不更把好东西给求祂的人吗？」（太7:11）

祷告

　　听我们祷告的神，让祢活泼的道塑造我们的渴望和祷告。愿祂来挑战我们为那些看似不可能的事祷告。当我们来到祢面前，愿祂让我们知道我们是祢所爱的儿女。愿祂使我们屈膝下拜，承认我们需要祢。阿们。

Scripture

EPHESIANS 3:14–21

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Commentary

JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

Great is the profit to be derived from the sacred Scriptures and their assistance is sufficient for every need. Paul was pointing this out when he said, “Whatever things have been written have been written for our instruction, upon whom the final age of the world has come, that through the patience and the consolation afforded by the Scriptures we may have hope.” (Rom. 15:4; see 1 Cor. 10:11) The divine words, indeed, are a treasury containing every sort of remedy, so that, whether one needs to put down senseless pride, or to quench the fire of concupiscence or to trample on the love of riches, or to despise pain, or to cultivate cheerfulness and acquire patience—in them one may find in abundance the means to do so.

Devotional

ALISTAIR BEGG

When we’re asking what we should pray about, we instinctively turn to the Bible, because it’s the Bible that inspires us and directs us. So whether it’s Jesus reminding us that we should always pray and not faint or Paul reminding the Philippians not to be anxious about anything but in everything to turn to God in prayer, it is the Bible that keeps us on track. As we pray, we’re really asking God to bring our lives and the lives of others into line with his purposes. And when we pray in that way, we’re able to pray with confidence.

So, we can pray for our world, that men and women might come to believe the gospel. We can pray for laborers to be sent into the harvest field, as Jesus said. We can pray for the work of the gospel in our own lives, that we might become holy and joyful and thankful. And when we do all of this, we need to remember that God is far more willing to bless us than we are even to take the time to ask him.

As Jesus said, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:11).

Prayer

God Who Hears, let your living Word shape our desires and our prayers. May it challenge us to pray for things that don’t seem possible. May it inform our view of you as we approach you as beloved sons and daughters. May it drive us to our knees as we recognize our need of you. Amen.