Prompted to Pray 不住祷告
Dexu Xia
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
A coworker once told me that her prayer life had improved because of our manager. I was impressed, thinking that our difficult leader had shared some spiritual nuggets with her and influenced how she prays. I was wrong—sort of. My coworker and friend went on to explain: “Every time I see him coming, I start praying.” Her time of prayer had improved because she prayed more before each conversation with him. She knew she needed God’s help in her challenging work relationship with her manager, and she called out to Him more because of it.
My coworker’s practice of praying during tough times and interactions is something I’ve adopted. It’s also a biblical practice found in 1 Thessalonians when Paul reminds the believers in Jesus to “pray continually . . . give thanks in all circumstances” (5:17–18). No matter what we face, prayer is always the best practice. It keeps us connected with God and invites His Spirit to direct us (Galatians 5:16) rather than having us rely on our human inclinations. This helps us “live in peace with each other” (1 Thessalonians 5:13) even when we face conflicts.
As God helps us, we can rejoice in Him, pray about everything, and give thanks often. And those things will help us live in even greater harmony with our brothers and sisters in Jesus.
By: Katara Patton
What relationships do you need to pray about more frequently? How can prayer help you follow God’s leading versus your human tendencies?
Heavenly Father, please help me remember to pray continually as I seek to live in harmony with others.
Learn how to deepen your prayer life.
要常常喜乐，不住地祷告，凡事谢恩，因为这是上帝在基督耶稣里向你们所定的旨意。—帖撒罗尼迦前书5章16-18节
一位同事曾告诉我，我们的经理让她的祷告生活有所改善。我深感震撼，以为我们那位难相处的经理与她分享一些宝贵的真理，影响了她祷告的方式。但从某种程度上来说，我错了。我那位同事兼好友继续解释：“每次我看到他来，我就开始祈祷。”因为她每次与经理谈话之前都先祷告，所以祷告的次数就增加了。她知道自己需要上帝的帮助，来解决与经理之间充满挑战的工作关系，所以她花更多时间为此向上帝呼求。
我也会像那位同事一样，在艰难时期以及在与他人沟通时，向上帝祈祷。在帖撒罗尼迦前书，保罗也教导众信徒“不住地祷告，凡事谢恩”（5章17-18节）。无论我们面对什么，祷告永远是最好的方法。祷告能让我们与上帝连结，让祂的灵来指引我们（加拉太书5章16节），而不是依照我们的本性而行事。这有助于我们在面对冲突时，可以“彼此和睦”（帖撒罗尼迦前书5章13节）。
藉着上帝的帮助，我们可以因祂喜乐，为每件事祷告，并经常感谢祂。这些将帮助我们与主内弟兄姐妹相处得更融洽。作者： 潘恺兰
你需要更频繁地为哪些人际关系祷告？
祷告如何帮助你跟随上帝的引导，而不是依从本性行事？
天父，当我期盼能与他人和睦相处时，请帮助我记得要常常祷告。