《今日靈修默想》:「我勸你,第一要為萬人懇求、禱告、代求、祝謝;為君王和一切在位的,也該如此,使我們可以敬虔、端正、平安無事的度日。」(提前2:1-2 )

默想一:為什麼為萬人及各國執政掌權者的禱告是教會第一要緊的事?因為那是神的心意。主耶穌要我們先求神的國和神的義禱告。不要擔心主耶穌不顧念你的事情,當你為萬人禱告時,神已顧到你的需要。不要輕看你的代禱,神可以翻轉一切不可能的事。

默想二:基督徒的代禱為什麼是特權也是責任?因爲禱告不僅與天父上帝親近,也表明我們是神的兒女,祂不會留下任何的好處不給我們。我們與神同工,就有責任愛祂所愛,行祂所行。我們蒙召成為神的祭司,就要以代禱服事祂;為神的國代禱,就能帶進主的祝福。

禱告:主耶穌!赦免我不禱告的罪,也赦免我喜歡批評、論斷所聽到或遇到的事,卻沒有盡上禱告的責任。也求袮饒恕我在禱告上的短見,什麼都是以“我”的需要為主。求祢擴展我的禱告視野,不僅為自己、家庭、教會禱告,也要為教育界、政治界、商業界、體育界、影視界、媒體界等各個層面禱告,讓神的旨意行在地上如同行在天上。奉主耶穌的名禱告,阿們!

《Today’s spiritual meditation》:  “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1Ti 2:1-2)

Meditation one: Why the petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving made for all people, kings and those in authority would be the first thing a church should do? It is because that is the will of God. The Lord Jesus wants us to pray first for the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Do not worry whether Lord Jesus will take care of you or not. When you are praying for all people, God has already taken care of your needs. Don’t underestimate your intercession. God can flip everything that is impossible.

Meditation two: Why a Christian’s intercession is a privilege as well as a responsibility? It is because prayer not only brings us closer to God the Father, but also declares that we are God’s children. He will never withhold from us any of His blessings. When we laborer together with God, we have the responsibility to love what He loves and do what He does. When we are called to be God’s priests, we will serve Him with intercessions, pray for God’s kingdom and bring in the Lord’s blessings.

Prayer: Lord Jesus! Forgive me the sin of not praying, and forgive me for criticizing and judging what I have heard or encountered, but I have not fulfilled my duty to pray for them. I also ask for Your forgiveness for my short sights in prayer that often focused around “my” needs only. Please help me to expand my vision in prayers, not only for myself, my family, the church, but also for all the aspects in education, politics, commerce, sports, entertainments, media, and others, so that God’s will can be done, as in heaven, so in earth. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus, Amen!

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