Pray for Them 为他们祷告

[Dexu Xia]

Will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills 
and go to look for the one that wandered off? Matthew 18:12

Today's Scripture  Matthew 18:10-14

Today's Insights  Jesus’ words in Matthew 18 are a direct reflection of God’s concern for those in need of Him. The example of a shepherd searching for his lost sheep (vv. 12-14) shows the seeking nature of God. The essence of verse 14—“your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish”—is seen in 2 Peter 3:9, where Simon Peter says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” This was Christ’s own mission in coming to this world—to seek with the heart of the Father. He said, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). As we pray for those who need Jesus, we’re joining God in His great work of rescue.

Today's Devotion    The movie Sully depicts the heroic landing of a stalled passenger plane on New York’s Hudson River. As Captain “Sully” strode off the rescue ferry, he told an official, “I need to know who’s hurt and how badly and I need a count. One hundred fifty-five. That’s my number. That’s passengers and crew.” The man said, “Okay. How about you?” Sully replied, “I’ll answer that question when we’ve counted to one hundred fifty-five.”  Jesus is interested in a count too. He’s the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to search for the one lost sheep. When He finds it, He “is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off” (Matthew 18:13). This doesn’t mean the one lost sheep counts more than the others. But there is the joy of relief when it’s found. As Sully’s passengers rejoiced to escape almost certain death, so heaven celebrates when someone receives salvation.

Do you know any lost sheep? Anyone who seems particularly unreachable? Pray for them. Seek to share the love of Jesus with them. Don’t give up until they’re in the fold.

Sully badgered anyone who would listen, “I need a count. We’ve got to have a count.” At long last, an official entered the hospital room where Sully was being examined. He smiled. “Got a count. One hundred fifty-five.”

Reflect & Pray

Who are three people who need Jesus you could pray for on a regular basis? How might you share the love of Jesus with them?

Dear Jesus, please help me to see Your “sheep” like You see them.

By Mike Wittmer

“他岂不撇下这九十九只在山上，去找那只迷路的羊吗？”（马太福音 18:12）

今日经文：马太福音 18章10-14 节

今日洞见：耶稣在马太福音 18 章中的话语，直接反映了上帝对那些需要祂之人的关怀。牧人寻找迷途羔羊的比喻（12-14 节）彰显了上帝主动寻找失丧者的本性。第 14 节的核心，“你们在天上的父……不愿这些小子里失丧一个”，也体现在彼得后书 3 章 9 节中，西门·彼得写道：“主所应许的尚未成就，有人以为他是耽延，其实不是耽延，乃是宽容你们，不愿有一人沉沦，乃愿人人都悔改。”这正是基督降世的使命：怀着天父的心去寻找失丧者。祂曾说：“人子来，为要寻找、拯救失丧的人”（路加福音 19:10）。当我们为那些需要耶稣的人祷告时，我们便参与了上帝伟大的拯救工作。

 今日灵修：电影《萨利机长》讲述了一架引擎失效的客机在纽约哈德逊河上英雄般迫降的故事。当“萨利”机长快步走下救援渡轮时，他对一位官员说：“我需要知道谁受伤了、伤势如何，还需要一个确切的人数。一百五十五人。这是我的数字，包括乘客和机组人员。”那人问：“好的。那你自己呢？”萨利回答道：“等我们数清那一百五十五人之后，我再回答这个问题。”

  耶稣也同样在意人数。祂是那位好牧人，会撇下九十九只羊，去寻找那只迷路的羊。当祂找到那只羊时，祂“为这一只羊欢喜，比为那没有迷路的九十九只欢喜还大呢”（马太福音 18:13）。这并不是说那只迷失的羊比其他的羊更重要，但当它被寻回时，那种如释重负的喜悦是真实的。正如萨利的乘客们因逃脱了几乎必死的厄运而欢欣鼓舞，当有人得救时，天上也同样充满喜乐。

  你身边有迷失的羊吗？有没有谁让你觉得特别难以触及？请为他们祷告，并试着向他们分享耶稣的爱。在他们归入羊群之前，千万不要放弃。

  萨利不断催促着每一个愿意倾听的人：“我需要核实人数。我们必须清点人数。”终于，一位官员走进了萨利正在接受检查的病房，微笑着说：“人数清点好了。一共一百五十五人。”

 反思与祷告 请列出三位需要耶稣且你可以持续为之祷告的人。你打算如何向他们分享耶稣的爱？ 亲爱的耶稣，求祢帮助我像祢那样去看待祢的“羊”。

 作者：迈克·威特默