The Power of Prayer

Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us. 1 Samuel 7:8

One day, when I was deeply concerned about the welfare of one close to me, I found encouragement in part of the Old Testament story of Samuel, a wise leader of the Israelites. As I read how Samuel interceded for God’s people as they faced trouble, I strengthened my resolve to pray for the one I loved.

The Israelites faced the threat of the Philistines, who had previously defeated them when God’s people didn’t trust in Him (see 1 Samuel 4). After repenting of their sins, they heard that the Philistines were about to attack. This time, however, they asked Samuel to continue praying for them (7:8), and the Lord answered clearly by throwing their enemy into confusion (v. 10). Though the Philistines may have been mightier than the Israelites, the Lord was the strongest of them all.

When we ache over the challenges facing those we love, and fear the situation won’t change, we may be tempted to believe that the Lord will not act. But we should never underestimate the power of prayer, for our loving God hears our pleas. We don’t know how He will move in response to our petitions, but we know that as our Father He longs for us to embrace His love and to trust in His faithfulness.

Do you have someone you can pray for today?

Father God, the way You hear and answer my prayers amazes me. Strengthen my faith, that I will always believe in Your goodness and love.

By Amy Boucher Pye

願你不住地為我們呼求耶和華我們的神，救我們脫離非利士人的手。-撒母耳記上7章8節

有一天，當我正為著一位至親的問題而擔憂時，舊約先知撒母耳的事蹟給了我很大的激勵。看見以色列人遭遇危難時，這位以色列人的領袖如何為他們向神祈求，讓我也下定決心，要為我這位至親禱告。

那時神的子民再次面對非利士人的逼迫，先前他們因為沒有信靠上帝，曾遭非利士人擊潰（參閱撒母耳記上4章）。以色列人認罪悔改後，聽聞非利士人即將再次發兵攻擊他們。這回他們請求撒母耳繼續為他們禱告（7章8節），神也清楚回應，大發雷聲驚亂非利士人（10節）。雖然當時非利士人或許比以色列人強大，但神卻遠比他們更強大。

當我們因所愛之人面對爭戰而感到難過和憂傷，並且擔心情況不會好轉的時候，我們可能會認為神不會有所行動。但我們千萬不要低估了禱告的大能，因為慈愛的神會聽我們的懇求。雖不知祂將如何回應我們的祈求，但可以肯定的是，天父渴望我們活在祂的愛中，並相信祂的信實。

你今天要為誰禱告呢？

天父，祢以出人意外的方式垂聽

並應允我的禱告。願祢堅固我的信心，

好讓我永遠相信祢的良善與慈愛。|