Praying in Difficult Times 困境中的祷告
Dexu Xia
From the ends of the earth I call to you . . . as my heart grows faint. Psalm 61:2
Author and theologian Russell Moore described noticing the eerie silence in the Russian orphanage where he adopted his boys. Someone later explained that the babies had stopped crying because they learned that no one would respond to their cries.
When we face difficult times, we too can feel that no one hears. And worst of all, we can feel that God Himself doesn’t listen to our cries or see our tears. But He does! And that’s why we need the language of petition and protest found especially in the book of Psalms. The psalmists petition for God’s help and also protest their situation to Him. In Psalm 61, David brings his petitions and protests before his Creator, stating, “I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (v. 2). David cries out to God because he knows that only He is his “refuge” and “strong tower” (v. 3).
Praying the petitions and protests of the psalms is a way of affirming God’s sovereignty and appealing to His goodness and faithfulness. They’re proof of the intimate relationship we can experience with God. In difficult moments, we can all be tempted to believe the lie that He doesn’t care. But He does. He hears us and is with us.
By: Glenn Packiam
How does it encourage you to know that God hears your desperate prayers? What petitions and protests will you share with Him today?
Dear Jesus, help me to offer You my petitions, protests, and praise.
我心里发昏的时候，我要从地极求告祢。—诗篇61篇2节
作家兼神学家罗素 · 摩尔（Russell Moore）提及他当年到俄罗斯的孤儿院领养孩子的经历。他说，那时他在孤儿院里感受到一种可怕的寂静。后来有人解释说，那些婴儿都不哭了，因为他们知道没有人会回应他们的哭泣。
我们在面对困难时，也会觉得无人会倾听我们痛苦的心声。最糟糕的是，我们觉得上帝也不会听见我们的呼求，不会看见我们的眼泪。其实祂听见也看见！这就是为什么我们需要圣经教导我们如何向上帝呼求和申诉的祷词，尤其是出自诗篇的。诗人们不仅向上帝呼求，恳求祂的帮助，也向祂申诉，要求祂正视他们的处境。在诗篇61篇，大卫将自己的祈求和苦情带到他的创造主面前，他说：“我心里发昏的时候，我要⋯⋯求告祢，求祢领我到那比我更高的磐石”（2节）。大卫向上帝呼求，是因为他知道，唯有上帝才是他的“避难所”和“坚固台”（3节）。
当我们像诗篇中的诗人那样，向上帝呼求和申诉，是承认上帝的主权，以及恳求祂彰显祂的美善和信实的一种方式。这也表示我们与上帝有亲密的关系。在困境中，我们很容易被蒙蔽，以为上帝不关心我们，但其实祂在乎我们。上帝听见我们的声音，也与我们同在。
作者： 裴格伦
知道上帝会垂听你迫切的祷告，
如何使你得激励？
今天你会在祷告中向祂呼求和倾诉什么心事？
亲爱的上帝，请帮助我真切地呼求祢、
陈明我的苦情，并向祢献上赞美。