第二章

^1-2 因此，我勸你最重要的是要為萬人、君王和一切有權位的懇求、禱告、代求和感恩，好讓我們可以敬虔莊重地過平靜安穩的日子。 ³ 在我們的救主神看來，這是美好的，可蒙悅納的。 ⁴ 他願意萬人得救，並且充分認識真理。 ⁵ 因為神只有一位，在神和人中間也只有一位中保，就是降世為人的基督耶穌。 ⁶ 他捨了自己作萬人的贖價，到了適當的時候，這事就證實了。 ⁷ 為了這事，我也被派作傳道的和使徒（我說的是真話，不是謊言），在信仰和真理上作外族人的教師。⁸ 因此，我願意男人沒有忿怒，沒有爭論，舉起聖潔的手隨處禱告。 ⁹ 照樣，我也願意女人以端正、、自律為裝飾；不要以鬈髮、金飾、珠寶，或名貴衣裳為裝飾¹⁰ 卻要以善行作裝飾，這才配稱為敬畏神的女人。

 

默想：

1. 保羅要我們為萬人的得救來禱告（1，4，6，7節）；我們為當權者禱告，祈求和平，為使萬人可以在基督裡找到平安，大家能夠「敬虔莊重地過平靜安穩的日子」。
2. 基督徒傳福音最有效的方法，就是在日常生活中「敬虔莊重地過平靜安穩的日子」的見證。使人接受福音最有效的工具，並非要等到遇見危險急難的時候；而是藉著基督徒在平時所流露出來的平安與喜樂、樂善助人，使得非信徒對這種生命日趨渴望的心。

1. 安靜在神面前等候聖靈將一些人與他們的需要放在我的心裡，然後誠懇地「舉起聖潔的手」來，恒切地為他們禱告；也為我的國家、及地方首長禱告，求神在我居住的地方賜下平安。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在「靈程筆記簿」上面。

CHAPTER 2

¹I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— ²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. ⁷And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. ⁸ Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. ⁹ I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, ¹⁰ but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

 

MEDITATION

1. Paul wants us to pray for the salvation of everyone (vv1, 4, 6,7).  We pray for our rulers and for peace that others may find peace in Christ so that we all may “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”.
2. The most effective evangelism is supported by the evidence of “quiet lives” lived “in all godliness and holiness”.  The most powerful aid to the Gospel is not sudden fear created by danger, but a growing hunger for the peace and goodness observed in the lives of ordinary Christians.

1. Sit quietly before God and wait.  Lift up hands and pray earnestly for those people and needs that the Holy Spirit brings to mind.  Pray also for the political leaders in my country, and local leaders.  Pray for peace for my city.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2012 “Spiritual Journal” book.