Of Prayer and Dust and Stars 坦诚倾述
Dexu Xia
Look up at the sky and count the stars. Genesis 15:5
Lara and Dave desperately wanted a baby, but their physician told them they were unable to have one. Lara confided to a friend: “I found myself having some very honest talks with God.” But it was after one of those “talks” that she and Dave spoke to their pastor, who told them about an adoption ministry at their church. A year later they were blessed with an adopted baby boy.
In Genesis 15, the Bible tells of another honest conversation—this one between Abram and God. God had told him, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am . . . your very great reward” (v. 1). But Abram, uncertain of God’s promises about his future, answered candidly: “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless?” (v. 2).
Earlier God had promised Abram, “I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth” (13:16). Now Abram—in a very human moment—reminded God of that. But note God’s response: He assured Abram by telling him to look up and “count the stars—if indeed you can,” indicating his descendants would be beyond numbering (15:5).
How good is God, not only to allow such candid prayer but also to gently reassure Abram! Later, God would change his name to Abraham (“father of many”). Like Abraham, you and I can openly share our hearts with Him and know that we can trust Him to do what’s best for us and others.
How do you think Abraham felt when God encouraged Him in such a difficult moment? What candid conversation do you need to have with God today?
Loving heavenly Father, thank You for caring about even the most intimate details of my life. Help me to stay close to You in prayer today.
你向天观看，数算众星。—创世记15章5节
雅兰和达丰非常渴望拥有自己的孩子，但医生说他们无法生育。雅兰向一位朋友透露﹕“我近来都很坦诚地向上帝倾诉。”在一次“倾诉”之后，雅兰和达丰把他们的情况告诉牧师，而牧师跟他们说，教会正在做领养儿童的事工。一年后，他们顺利领养了一个男婴。
创世记15章讲述了另一段坦诚的对话，那是亚伯兰与上帝之间的对话。上帝说﹕“亚伯兰，你不要惧怕！我……必大大地赏赐你”（1节）。但亚伯兰不确定上帝的应许要如何实现，便坦诚地说﹕“主耶和华啊，我既无子，祢还赐我什么呢？”（2节）
在此以前，上帝已应许亚伯兰﹕“我也要使你的后裔如同地上的尘沙那样多”（13章16节）。亚伯兰依旧有人的软弱，所以这时他提醒上帝，自己尚无子嗣。但值得注意的是，上帝对亚伯兰说：“你向天观看，数算众星，能数得过来吗？”藉此向亚伯兰保证，他的后裔将多不胜数（15章5节）。
上帝多么美好，不仅容许亚伯兰坦诚倾诉，还温柔地再度向他保证！后来，甚至将他改名为亚伯拉罕（意为“多国之父”）。像亚伯拉罕一样，你我都能向上帝坦诚倾诉，因知我们能相信，祂会成就对我们和他人最有益处的事。
亚伯拉罕在患难中蒙上帝激励，你认为他会有何感想？
你今天要对上帝坦诚倾诉些什么呢？
慈爱的天父，感谢祢关心我生命中最隐密的细节。
今天求祢帮助我，能在祷告中亲近祢。