從天上賜下的復興
復興將要來臨

經文
以弗所書六10-20
10我還有末了的話:你們要靠著主,倚賴他的大能大力作剛強的人。
11要穿戴神所賜的全副軍裝,就能抵擋魔鬼的詭計。
12因我們並不是與屬血氣的爭戰(原文作摔跤;下同),乃是與那些執政的、掌權的、管轄這幽暗世界的,以及天空屬靈氣的惡魔爭戰。
13所以,要拿起神所賜的全副軍裝,好在磨難的日子抵擋仇敵,並且成就了一切,還能站立得住。
14所以要站穩了,用真理當作帶子束腰,用公義當作護心鏡遮胸,
15又用平安的福音當作預備走路的鞋穿在腳上。
16此外,又拿著信德當作藤牌,可以滅盡那惡者一切的火箭;
17並戴上救恩的頭盔,拿著聖靈的寶劍,就是神的道;
18靠著聖靈,隨時多方禱告祈求;並要在此儆醒不倦,為眾聖徒祈求,
19也為我祈求,使我得著口才,能以放膽開口講明福音的奧祕,
20我為這福音的奧祕作了帶鎖鍊的使者,並使我照著當盡的本分放膽講論。
信息分享
讓我們來繼續思考這個題目:「復興禱告」的特點是堅持與持續。在復興以前,哪怕是天生不是那麼有毅力的人,他們的禱告也有這些特點。很明顯的,這是超自然的力量正在工作。
當有關美國1857年大復興的消息傳到英國時,很多教會(特別是在北愛爾蘭和威爾斯的教會)都渴望看到同樣的事情在英國發生。詹金斯(William Jenkins)是威爾斯山谷一間教會的牧者,他在1858年曾說:「自從聖靈向美國教會傾注的消息傳到我們的國家以後,我渴望和祈求主以祂無限的憐憫、降臨在可憐的威爾斯。我當時把這個課題帶到教會去,誠懇的勸告人們『尋求主』,我講述了所知道的每一個事實以及每一件發生過的事件……目的是讓會眾的心能產生同樣的渴求。有些會友禱告,並以我從未聽過的方式持續禱告,他們心裡似乎領受了一種新的負擔,變得堅持,幾近沉溺。在復興來臨前,教會在大約六個月內增加了超過85個會友。」
有關神的百姓在復興以前,被聖靈緊抓著作持續不斷禱告的例子實在多不勝數,他們在歷史中已經留下抹不去的印記,以致那些見證者可以充滿信心地說:「復興將要來臨了。」
「神所賜的堅持是復興的記號」
進深研究
羅八22-28;太二十六41;約十六24
1. 我們在禱告中得到甚麼幫助?
2. 門徒發現甚麼?
祈禱
天父,我內心禁不住要響應您的門徒的話:「主啊,教導我們禱告。」我承認在這方面我是軟弱的,但求您幫助我明白,在您裡面我甚麼事都能做,所以我要脫下我的軟弱,穿上您的完全。阿們。
Heaven-Sent Revival
"A revival is on the way"

Bible reading:
Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Message
We continue looking at the quality of tenacity or persistence as a component of "revival praying". Prior to a revival this characteristic is seen even in those who were not naturally persistent or tenacious people, and this is fairly clear evidence (so I believe) that something supernatural is at work.
When the news of the American 1857 revival reached the shores of Great Britain many churches (especially those in Northern Ireland and Wales) became gripped with a desire to see the same thing happen here. William Jenkins, the minister of a church in one of the Welsh valleys, said in 1858: "Ever since the news of the outpouring of the Spirit upon the American churches reached our country I longed and prayed that the Lord would, in His infinite mercy, visit poor Wales. I immediately brought the subject before the church and earnestly exhorted them to 'seek the Lord'. I related every fact and incident I could glean...in order to produce in the minds of my people the desire for a similar visitation. Some of our members prayed and continued to pray as I have never heard them pray before. A new burden seemed to press upon their hearts. They became persistent almost to the point of being obsessed. Even before revival came there were no less than eighty-five added to the church in about six months" (italics mine).
Examples of persistent and tenacious praying gripping the people of God prior to a revival can be multiplied. They have made such an indelible mark in history that those who observe their occurrence are able to say with confidence: "A revival is on the way."
"God-given persistence is a sign of revival"
Prayer
O Father, I cannot help but echo the words of Your disciples: "Lord, teach us to pray." In this area I confess I am weak, but help me see that in You I am able for anything. So I shed my weakness and take Your completeness. Amen.
Further study
Romans 8:22-28
Matthew 26:41
John 16:24
1. What help do we get in prayer?
2. What did the disciples find?
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背景音樂版權屬 讚美之泉音樂事工 所有,承蒙允准使用。

