1. Welcome, our listening friends, to this broadcast.
亲爱的朋友，欢迎你再次收听这个节目。
2. This is the second from the last of the series of messages from the Epistle of James;
关于雅各书信的系列信息，还有两次就要结束了；
3. and, in this message and the next, we’ll be discussing the twelfth step in growing up.
所以，这一次和下一次的节目，我会讲到生命成长的第十二个步骤。
4. Recently, a simple item was reported in newspapers of a large city in the United States.
最近，报纸上刊登了一段短文，叙述在美国一座大城所发生的一件事。
5. It announced that a certain prayer meeting that was held at noontime for the past one hundred and three years had been shut down.
报导说，有一个在过去壹佰零三年以来一直举行的午间祷告会，在最近关闭了。
6. Probably most people, when they read this item, they couldn’t understand the significance of it.
也许大多数人读到这条新闻，觉得没什么大不了。
7. Even most Christians today, for whatever reason, they seem to have lost their confidence in the power of prayer.
今天，即使是许多基督徒，似乎也不再相信祷告的能力。
8. It is not surprising, therefore, that James, in his final and most important step in the twelve-step program toward spiritual growth, uses the power of prayer.
难怪，雅各在他书信的最后一部分，强调祷告的能力，在生命成长过程中的重要性。
9. James, himself, was known as a man of prayer.
雅各本人就以祷告而著名。
10. Legend has it that he spent so much time on his knees, that they became so callused and they called him "camel knees."
传说，雅各在祷告上非常下功夫，以致膝盖上磨出了老茧。因此，他的绰号就叫“骆驼膝盖”。
11. When Peter was miraculously delivered from the prison in Acts 12:17,
使徒行传12章17节记载着，当彼得被奇妙地带出监牢的时候，
12. he made a point of saying, “Go tell James and the brothers.”
他叮嘱他们说：“你们把这事告诉雅各和众弟兄。”
13. Peter knew that James was interceding for him in prayer,
彼得知道雅各正在为他祷告，
14. and Peter wanted him to know that his prayers were answered.
彼得要让雅各知道，他的祷告已蒙垂听。
15. Given James’ conviction about the power of prayer, it is not surprising that he chooses to conclude his Letter with the exhortation to pray;
由于雅各深信祷告的力量是巨大的，因此很自然地，他在书信的结尾部分劝勉我们，要祷告。
16. and he gives us, basically, four things about the power of prayer.
他指出，关于祷告的四种基本情况。
17. Chapter 5, verses 13 to 20.
雅各书第五章13节到20节。
（请读圣经，雅5:13-20。）
18. Let us look at these four things.
我们一起来看一看。
19. Number one,
第一，
20. in verse 13,
在13节，
21. we are to pray in and out of tough times.
不论困难与否，都要随时祷告。
22. Second,
第二，
23. verses 14 and 15,
14和15节，
24. we are to pray for others.
为别人代求。
25. Third,
第三，
26. verses 16 to 18,
16节到18节，
27. he tells us that prayer releases the power of God.
他告诉我们，祷告带来神的大能。
28. Fourth,
第四，
29. verses 19 and 20,
19节和20节，
30. we must pray for faithfulness.
我们要为持守真道来祷告。
31. Let’s look at the first one,
我们先来看第一点，
32. verse 13 of Chapter 5.
雅各书5章13节。
33. He said the following:
他说：
（请读圣经，雅5:13。）
34. Very often, it is only during tough times that people pray.
我们往往都是在经历患难的时候，才祷告神。
35. Very often, it is only when we come to the end of ourselves that we sink to our knees.
我们常常是等到自己的解数到了尽头的时候，才肯跪下来。
36. James is saying that’s okay to pray during tough times.
雅各说，不错，遭遇患难的时候是需要祷告。
37. In fact, that’s exactly what you should do.
事实上，你也应该这样做。
38. The one thing you must not do is withdraw fellowship from the Father when you are going through a difficult spot in life.
你不应该做的是，在遇到人生困境的时候，你远离神，不再和神打交道。
39. Tell your Father to help you through the tough times in life.
当你生活遇到了艰难，你要告诉天父，求祂帮助。
40. I have known people who would do the opposite.
但有些人刚好相反。
41. I have known people that, when they face a crisis or if they suffer because their prayers were not answered, the distance between them and the Lord widens.
他们在遇到难处的时候，或是祷告没有得到神及时的答应，于是就开始疏远神。
42. They do not pray fervently.
他们的祷告一点也不热诚。
43. They can hardly bring themselves to talk to God,
他们几乎不再和神交谈，
44. as if they have convinced themselves that they can avoid God.
他们似乎想尽量离神远点儿。
45. Why do some Christians do this?
为什么有些基督徒会这样呢？
46. Two possibilities:
有两种可能：
47. first,
第一，
48. many people have the wrong concept of suffering.
很多人对患难有一个错误的观点。
49. They believe that they are experiencing tough times because God is angry with them.
他们认为，他们经历苦难是因为神对他们发怒。
50. Just as children try to avoid their parents when they know that they are disobedient,
正如小孩子躲避他们父母的面，因为他们不听话，
51. so do some believers try to run away from God because they think they made Him angry.
同样，有些信徒也想逃避神的面，因为他们以为自己惹火了神。
52. When they need Him the most, they stay away from Him.
其实这是他们最需要神的时刻，却远离神。
53. The second possibility is this:
第二种可能是：
54. many people refuse to pray in difficult circumstances because they are angry at God.
很多人在患难中拒绝向神祷告，因为他们生神的气。
55. They blame Him for the loss of a loved one.
他们为着失去亲人而怪罪神。
56. They blame Him for their financial problems.
他们为着经济上的困难而怪罪神。
57. They blame Him for failure at school,
他们为着学习成绩不及格而怪罪神，
58. and they want nothing to do with God.
他们不想再和神打交道了。
59. Why?
为什么呢？
60. Because they blame Him for ruining their lives and, oh, what a good excuse to not communicate with God;
因为他们埋怨神毁了他们的生活，这就成为他们不再和神来往的最好借口；
61. and that’s what the devil loves the most,
这正是魔鬼最希望看到的结果，
62. because once he gets you to convince yourself that God does not love you, he has got you in his hands;
因为，一旦它让你确信神不再爱你，它就能掌控你了；
63. but mature Christians do not let anything come between them and their Lord.
可是，一个成熟的基督徒从不让任何事物拦在自己和神中间。
64. Growing Christians do not let their communion with God be affected by the circumstances of life.
追求长进的基督徒从不让外在环境来影响自己和神的交往。
65. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas get beaten up in Philippi.
使徒行传16章那里记载，保罗和西拉在腓立比受鞭打。
66. Does the Bible say that they were moaning and moping and complaining and they were angry with God?
圣经上有没有说，他们悲哀哭泣，向神发怨言呢？
67. Does the Bible say that they were saying to God, “Lord, why? We’re preaching the Gospel and why have we ended up in prison?”
圣经上有没有说，他们对神说：“主啊，这是为什么？我们是来传福音的，为什么我们被下在监牢里呢？”
68. Is that what the Bible said?
圣经是不是这样说的呢？
69. No.
没有。
70. In fact, their attitude should be that of every spiritually mature Christian.
事实上，他们的表现正是成熟的基督徒所应该有的态度。
71. Their attitude was that it doesn’t matter what the world does to us;
这种态度就是：这个世界对我们怎样都无关紧要；
72. our joy and communion with the Lord will not be affected.
重要的是，我们的喜乐，我们和神的交往，都不受到影响。
73. Far from complaining and moping and moaning, they were singing songs of joy.
他们不但没有抱怨、哀叹、呻吟，他们反而高唱喜乐的赞歌。
74. They were clinging to the Lord in tough times;
在苦难中，他们紧紧贴近主的身旁；
75. and clinging to the Lord in tough times gives you three advantages.
在患难中靠近主有三大优势。
76. First, it will prevent loneliness.
你不会孤单。
77. Secondly, it will remind you that God is in control.
第二，你会知道，神仍在掌管着一切。
78. Thirdly, it will help you to see things from God’s perspective.
第三，这会帮助你从神的眼光来看事情。
79. Let me tell you a true story.
让我来告诉你一个真实的故事。
80. In 1924, there were two British mountain climbers by the name of Mallory and Irvine.
在1924年，有两个英国的登山者，一个名叫马洛理，另一个叫艾尔文.
81. They were members of an expedition that set out to conquer Mount Everest.
他们都是珠穆朗玛峰探险队的成员。
82. Both were lost, and, after the failure of the expedition, the party returned home to England.
他们二位在这次行动中失踪了。这次计划最后以失败而告终，队员们也回英格兰去了。
83. Addressing a meeting in London, one of the survivors described the ill-fated venture;
在伦敦的一次会议上，一个幸免者描述这次不幸的探险遭遇；
84. then, he turned to a huge photograph of Mount Everest mounted on the wall behind him and said the following,
最后，他对着身后墙上巨幅的珠穆朗玛峰的照片，说了以下的话：
85. “Everest,
“珠穆朗玛峰，
86. we tried to conquer you once,
我们曾试图要战胜你，
87. but you overpowered us.
然而﹐你却战胜了我们，
88. We tried to conquer you a second time,
我们曾再次试图要征服你，
89. but, again, you were too much for us;
但是，你比我们要强大得多；
90. but, Everest, I want you to know that we are going to conquer you, for you cannot grow any bigger and we can.”
然而，珠穆朗玛峰，我告诉你，总有一天，我们要征服你，因为你不能更强大，而我们能够。
91. Now, my friend, your afflictions can never grow bigger.
亲爱的朋友，你的难处是不会再长大的。
92. Certainly, they can never grow bigger than God allows them;
它们永远都不能超出神所允许的范围；
93. but, by the grace of God, we can grow bigger.
但是，靠着神的恩典，我们可以变得坚强起来。
94. By the power of prayer, we can grow bigger than our afflictions.
借着祷告的力量，我们可以强大，胜过我们的难处。
95. Isaiah tells us that those who hope in the Lord will renew strength.
以赛亚告诉我们，那等候神的，必从新得力。
96. You can speak to your Everest, whatever your Everest may be.
你也可以对你的‘珠穆朗玛峰’说出同样的话来，不论它是什么。
97. You can tell whatever problem you are facing right now that it cannot grow bigger, but you can;
无论你面临哪一种困难，你都可以毫无惧色；因为它不会长大，而你会成长；
98. and you can do so as you lay hold of God’s power.
靠着神所加给你的力量，你一定做得到。
99. "Have we trials and temptations?
“或遇试炼或遇引诱？
100. Is there trouble anywhere?
或有烦恼压心头？
101. We should never be discouraged.
切莫灰心切莫丧胆。
102. Take it to the Lord in prayer.
来到主恩座前求。
103. Can we find a friend so faithful?
何处得此忠心朋友？
104. Who will all our sorrows share?
分担一切苦与忧？
105. Jesus knows our every weakness.
耶稣深知我们软弱，
106. Take it to the Lord in prayer."
来到主恩座前求。”
107. Then, James said if you are going through good times and God blessed you,
然后，雅各说，如果你正经历神的赐福，一切顺利，
108. if you are experiencing joy,
如果你正经历喜乐，
109. then, fill your mouth with the songs of praise and thanksgiving.
那么，你的口中要满了赞美和感恩的话。
110. Make melody to God.
要向神高歌。
111. Don’t feel guilty about being on top of the mountains.
不要因为自己站在巅峰而感到愧疚。
112. Don’t let your communication with God suffer because you think you don’t need Him right now;
不要因为你现在不需要神，而影响了和神之间的交通；
113. so, pray in and out of tough times.
所以，不论困难与否，都要随时祷告。
114. Secondly,
第二，
115. pray for others.
要为别人代求，
116. Verses 14 and 15.
14节和15节。
117. Prayer has a specific purpose.
祷告总有针对性。
118. One of these purposes is to deal with diseases.
其中之一，就是为疾病祷告。
119. Verse 14.
在14节，
120. the sick person here, presumably, is too sick to join church,
这里所说的病人，指的是得了重病，以至不能够到教会去，
121. so he must call the elders to anoint him with oil and pray over him.
所以，他必须请长老来，为他抹油、祷告。
122. In James’ day, the oil was used as a medicine and was used by doctors,
在雅各的年代里，医生通常用油作为医病的药物。
123. because God heals through doctors and medicine.
因为神能够借着医生和药物施行医治。
124. Oil also is a symbol of the Holy Spirit,
膏油也象征圣灵，
125. and that is why the elders’ use of oil signifies their acknowledgement of the operation of the Holy Spirit in healing.
长老用油抹身，就表明他们承认圣灵医治的果效。
126. The church leaders are to offer up their prayers of faith.
教会的长老为他们献上信心的祷告。
127. Verse 15.
15节，
128. It is the faith of the elders, here, not the faith of the sick person, that James is talking about.
雅各所说的，指的是长老的信心，而不是病人的信心。
129. I have heard people erroneously say to the sick person who is not healed that he or she does not have enough faith to be healed.
有一种错误的说法：如果病人得不到医治，是因为这个病人的信心不够。
130. That is wrong.
这是不正确的。
131. James says nothing about the faith of the afflicted.
雅各根本没有提病人的信心。
132. James refers only to the faith of those who are praying for the ill person.
雅各，为病人祷告的那个人有没有信心。
133. Now, please don’t misunderstand me.
请别误会我的意思。
134. There are many times we have read that Jesus told some people after a miracle, “Your faith healed you...”
我们经常听到耶稣施行神迹的时候，说：“你的信救了你。”
135. but, in this passage, at least, James is talking about the elders’ prayer of faith.
但是，在这里，雅各至少是指着那些长老的信心而说的。
136. What is the prayer of faith?
什么是出于信心的祈祷呢？
137. It is the elders’ believing prayer that the sovereign God heals.
出于信心的祈祷就是：长老相信全能神的医治。
138. The elders should be fully convinced that it is God’s prerogative to heal, not theirs.
长老们应该完全相信医治的大能是出于神，而不是出于他们自己。
139. Look at the last part of verse 15.
请看15节的后半部分。
140. It says if the sick person has committed sin, they shall be forgiven him.
经上说：如果这个人犯了罪，也必蒙赦免。
141. Don’t interpret this as a blanket statement that all illnesses are a result of sin.
当然，不是所有的病都是因为犯罪而引起的。
142. Some illnesses are, but not all,
有一些是，但不是全部，
143. and that is why James said, “…if the sick person has committed a sin…”
这就是为什么雅各要说：“如果这个人犯了罪……”
144. so, pray in and out of tough times.
总之，第一，在患难中要随时祷告。
145. Secondly, pray for others.
第二，要为别人代求。
146. In the next broadcast, I’m going to talk to you about the third and the fourth importance of prayer;
下一次，我会讲，关于祷告的第三个和第四个方面；
147. but, meanwhile, keep on praying.
盼望您能够不住的祷告。
148. Until then, I wish you God’s richest blessing.
好，我们下一次再见，愿神大大地赐福给你。
