our daily bread

[Dexu Xia]

Five-Finger Prayers

Pray for each other. James 5:16

Prayer is a conversation with God, not a formula. Yet sometimes we might need to use a “method” to freshen up our prayer time. We can pray the Psalms or other Scriptures (such as The Lord’s Prayer), or use the ACTS method (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication). I recently came across this “Five-Finger Prayer” to use as a guide when praying for others:

• When you fold your hands, the thumb is nearest you. So begin by praying for those closest to you—your loved ones (Phil. 1:3–5).

Father, give me the wisdom to know how to pray for others.

• The index finger is the pointer. Pray for those who teach—Bible teachers and preachers, and those who teach children (1 Thess. 5:25).

• The next finger is the tallest. It reminds you to pray for those in authority over you—national and local leaders, and your supervisor at work (1 Tim. 2:1–2).

• The fourth finger is usually the weakest. Pray for those who are in trouble or who are suffering (James 5:13–16).

• Then comes your little finger. It reminds you of your smallness in relation to God’s greatness. Ask Him to supply your needs (Phil. 4:6, 19).

Whatever method you use, just talk with your Father. He wants to hear what’s on your heart.

Father, give me the wisdom to know how to pray for others.

 

It’s not the words we pray that matter; it’s the condition of our heart.

五指祷告

互相代求。-雅各书5章16节

祷告是与上帝谈话，没有一定的公式。然而，有时候我们或许可以用一些方法，让我们的祷告更充实。我们可以用诗篇或其他的经文（譬如主祷文）来祷告，或是用简易祷告法，其顺序为﹕赞美、认罪、感恩和恳求。最近，我还发现可运用一种“五指祷告”的模式，帮助我们为人代祷﹕

•当你合掌时，大拇指最靠近你。所以祷告时，先从你最亲近的人，也就是你所爱的人开始（腓立比书1章3-5节） 。

•食指常用来指引方向，它提醒你为负责引领教导的人祷告，如圣经教师、传道者以及主日学的老师（帖撒罗尼迦前书5章25节） 。

•中指是最长的，你要为那些居高位的当权者祷告，如国家、地方领袖，以及你公司的主管（提摩太前书2章1-2节） 。

•无名指通常是最脆弱的，别忘了要为那些有困难或受苦的人祷告（雅各书5章13-16节）。

•小指则提醒你，我们相对于上帝的伟大，是多么地微小。当祈求祂供应你一切所需（腓立比书4章6、19节） 。

不管用什么模式，最重要的是常跟天父说话，祂希望听到你发自内心的声音。

天父，求祢赐我智慧，
让我知道当如何为别人代求。

祷告不需要华丽的词藻﹐而是要发自内心。