禱告的教會

提摩太前書2:1 我勸你,第一要為萬人懇求、禱告、代求、祝謝。

共同禱告是寶貴的、且最有能力的事情。這是為什麼我們聚集一起禱告的原因了。教會被稱為禱告的殿(以賽亞書56:7以賽亞書56:7 我必領他們到我的聖山,使他們在禱告我的殿中喜樂。他們的燔祭和平安祭,在我壇上必蒙悅納,因我的殿必稱為萬民禱告的殿。)(馬太福音21:13馬太福音21:13對他們說:「經上記著說:『我的殿必稱為禱告的殿』,你們倒使他成為賊窩了!」[註解一]。在這裡,我們聯合心靈,關愛所有的人需要和悲哀,在禱告裡將他們帶到上帝座前,呼求祂的恩典。禱告時,我們感受到所有人的需要,所以我們的心是真誠的,我們的愛是真摯的。我們以堅定的信靠和信心,用這真情為他人向上帝禱告。
教會全體會眾同心真誠地呼求,必然到達上帝面前!
無可計數的幫助和美德將隨之而來!
更大的患難將臨到所有邪靈!
更偉大的事工將在地上進行!
在這裡,更多的罪人將被贏得,更多的聖徒將被興起!
的確!我們並不缺少崇拜的地點和建築,不缺少宏偉的、榮耀的教會,也不缺少高聳的尖塔和鳴鳴的鍾聲!我們缺少將這不可戰勝的禱告,合一的禱告,獻上給上帝!——馬丁路德(WA 9:263f)

註解一:回到原文
以賽亞書56:7 我必領他們到我的聖山,使他們在禱告我的殿中喜樂。他們的燔祭和平安祭,在我壇上必蒙悅納,因我的殿必稱為萬民禱告的殿。
馬太福音21:13對他們說:「經上記著說:『我的殿必稱為禱告的殿』,你們倒使他成為賊窩了!」

Church, A House Of Prayer
1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.

Common prayer is a precious and most powerful thing. That is why we gather together to pray. The church is called a house of prayer where we may gather together in unity of spirit and consider the needs and sorrows of all persons and carry them up in prayer before the throne of God and invoke his grace. This must be done earnestly and with genuine affection, because we feel the need of all individuals and therefore pray to God with real sympathy for them, in sure trust and confidence.

Would to God that some multitude might so pray that one common and genuine cry of the heart of the whole people should soar up to God! What immeasurable help and virtue would follow such a prayer! What greater calamity could befall all evil spirits? What greater thing could be wrought on earth, whereby so many sinners would be won, so many saints upheld?

Indeed, it is not that places and buildings are lacking where we can gather together — lofty, great, and glorious churches, spires or bells, but only this unconquerable prayer, that we should unite and offer it to God. (WA 9:263f)
Sermon on Good Works, 1520