讀經:彼得前書第四章

默想:「萬物的結局近了,你們要謹慎自守,警醒禱告。」(彼前4:7)

默想一:你認為世界會更美好嗎?起初神造萬物一切美好,但因人犯罪使萬物變天,現世的光景已到罪惡更猖狂、道德更混亂、人心更不安的地步。魔鬼說世界會更美好,只要俯伏拜牠就把萬國和萬國的榮華給你(太4:8-9),基督徒不要再上魔鬼的當了。有人說得對,不禱告一天,等於墮落一天。

默想二:基督徒為什麼要「謹慎自守,警醒禱告」?因為萬物的結局近了!當主再來時,那是我們與主面對面的日子,也是向神交賬的日子。迎見神最明智的方法就是謹慎並儆醒禱告。禱告是等候主來的重要態度及不被魔鬼迷惑的訣竅,也是屬靈軍裝發生效用的關鍵。

禱告:主耶穌,感謝祢知道我的軟弱,也知道我的需要。求祢賜我敏捷的心,在充滿誘惑的世代裡,我願時刻地儆醒禱告。不僅為自己的靈命禱告,我也願為家人和樂、教會合一、社會祥和,學校安全、世界和平來守望禱告。奉主耶穌的名禱告,阿們!

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 4.

Insight:  “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.” (1Pe 4:7)

Insight one: Do you think this world will become better? In the beginning God has made everything beautiful, but situations have changed because of human being’s sins. The present world has reached to a phase where sin grows more rampantly, morality corrupts more chaotically, and people become more worriedly. The devil says that this world will become better and all the earthly kingdoms and tribes will be yours if you bow down and worship it (Mat 4:8-9). Christians should stop being misled by the devil. Someone has correctly said that a day without praying is equivalent to a day of depravity.

Insight two: Why should Christians be “alert and of sober mind to pray”? Because the ending of all things is near! When the Lord returns, it is the day we face the Lord and the day we give account to God. The most judicious manner to face God is to be alert and of sober mind. Prayer is an essential attitude of longing for the Lord’s return without being misled by devil. This is also the key to the effectiveness of the spiritual armor.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for knowing my weakness and knowing my needs. Give me a sensitive heart so in this era of temptation, I will always pray in a sober mind. Not only pray for my own spiritual life, but I also want to pray for family’s harmony, church’s unity, society’s accord, school’s safety, and world’s peace. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus, Amen!

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