什么是祷告？
What is prayer?
简答 Short Answer
祷告是与上帝说话，是信徒在基督里借着圣灵向天父倾心吐意。它包括敬拜、感恩、认罪和祈求。
Prayer is speaking with God — believers pouring out their hearts to the Father in Christ through the Spirit. It includes worship, thanksgiving, confession, and petition.
详细解答 Detailed Answer
韦敏斯德小要理问答第98问说：「祷告是奉基督的名，向上帝陈明我们的愿望，祈求合乎祂旨意的事，承认我们的罪，并感谢祂的怜悯。」
祷告不是宗教仪式，不是念咒语，也不是自我心理暗示。祷告是一个孩子对天父说话。大卫说：「耶和华啊，我的心仰望你」（诗25:1）。保罗教导我们：「应当一无挂虑，只要凡事借着祷告、祈求和感谢，将你们所要的告诉上帝」（腓4:6）。
祷告有几个基本要素：敬拜（赞美上帝的属性和作为）、感恩（为已领受的恩典感谢）、认罪（承认我们的过犯并求赦免）、祈求（为自己和他人的需要向上帝陈明）。这不是一个死板的公式，而是一段活泼的对话。
最重要的是，祷告之所以可能，是因为基督为我们开了一条又新又活的路（来10:19-20）。没有基督的中保工作，罪人无法坦然来到圣洁的上帝面前。祷告是恩典的特权，不是人的功德。
The Westminster Shorter Catechism Q98 says: 'Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, in the name of Christ, by the help of his Spirit, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.'
Prayer is not a religious ritual, not a magic incantation, not self-help psychology. Prayer is a child speaking to the Father. David said: 'To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul' (Ps 25:1). Paul instructs: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God' (Phil 4:6).
Prayer has several basic elements: worship (praising God's attributes and works), thanksgiving (gratitude for grace received), confession (acknowledging our transgressions and seeking forgiveness), and petition (presenting needs for ourselves and others). This is not a rigid formula but a living conversation.
Most importantly, prayer is possible because Christ opened a new and living way for us (Heb 10:19-20). Without Christ's mediatorial work, sinners cannot boldly approach a holy God. Prayer is a privilege of grace, not a human merit.
📖 经文引用 Bible Verses
📚 推荐阅读 Related Readings
- •韦敏斯德小要理问答 第98-107问；WSC Q98-107
- •提摩太·凯勒，《祷告》；Tim Keller, Prayer📖