“你们祷告，不可象外邦人，用许多重复话，他们以为话多了必蒙垂听”（太6:7）。{FH.23.1}
祷告有两种──形式的祷告和信心的祷告。只是口头上重复惯用的言词而心中不感觉需要上帝，那是拘于形式的祷告。……我们在一切祷告中，都要极其谨慎，由衷而发地说出心中的需要。一切华丽的辞藻，远不如一个圣洁的愿望有价值。最流畅的祷告若不能表达心中的真情，不过是一套虚浮重复之词而已。但那出乎至诚的祈祷，将心灵中简明的要求陈述出来，犹如向一位世上的朋友求助那样，希望得到所求的──这才是出于信心的祷告。那位去圣殿祷告的税吏，便是一个虔诚崇拜者的范例。他自觉是一个罪人。他最大的需要使他发出心中热切的愿望：“上帝啊，开恩可怜我这个罪人”（路18:13）。……{FH.23.2}
要与上帝交谈。我们必须对祂诉说我们实际生活中的事。我们一切的愆尤过犯都摆在无穷的主眼前。那记录完整无缺。我们的罪过没有一件被漏掉。但那曾为祂古时的仆人行奇事的主，也必答应信心的祈祷，赦免我们的罪过。祂既已应许，就必成就。……{FH.23.3}
当我们呈上请求之后，就应尽力使之实现，而不要等上帝为我们去做我们自己所能作的事。……上帝的帮助要与人的努力、热望和精力相结合。……我们不能自己疏于祈求却仗赖他人代祷的支持，因为上帝并未为我们作这样的安排。连上帝的能力也不能把一个不肯为自己出力的人带到天国。……{FH.23.4}
我们这样步步攀登那通向上帝圣城的光明天梯时，多少次会灰心泄气，来到耶稣的脚前，因我们的失败而哭泣啊！……但我们不可停止努力。我们若顺从主的命令而奋斗，遵行耶稣的旨意并且长成祂的形像，就个个都能进入天国。暂时的失败应使我们更加依仗基督。我们应该怀着勇敢的心，坚决的意志和专一的宗旨奋勇前进。——《时兆》，1884年8月14日。{FH.23.5}
Prayers of Form and Prayers of Faith, January 11
When you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.?Matthew 6:7.?{FH 23.1}[1]
There are two kinds of prayer—the prayer of form and the prayer of faith. The repetition of set, customary phrases when the heart feels no need of God, is formal prayer.... We should be extremely careful in all our prayers to speak the wants of the heart and to say only what we mean. All the flowery words at our command are not equivalent to one holy desire. The most eloquent prayers are but vain repetitions if they do not express the true sentiments of the heart. But the prayer that comes from an earnest heart, when the simple wants of the soul are expressed just as we would ask an earthly friend for a favor, expecting that it would be granted—this is the prayer of faith. The publican who went up to the temple to pray is a good example of a sincere, devoted worshipper. He felt that he was a sinner, and his great need led to an outburst of passionate desire, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” ...?{FH 23.2}[2]
To commune with God we must have something to say to Him concerning our actual life. The long, black catalogue of our delinquencies is before the eye of the Infinite. The register is complete; none of our offenses are forgotten. But He who wrought wonderfully for His servants of old will listen to the prayer of faith and pardon our transgressions. He has promised, and He will fulfill His word....?{FH 23.3}[3]
After we have offered our petitions, we are to answer them ourselves as far as possible, and not wait for God to do for us what we can do for ourselves.... Divine help is to be combined with human effort, aspiration, and energy.... We cannot be borne up by the prayers of others when we ourselves neglect to pray, for God has made no such provision for us. Not even divine power can lift one soul to heaven that is unwilling to put forth efforts in his own behalf....?{FH 23.4}[4]
As thus step by step we ascend the shining ladder that leads to the city of God, oh how many times we shall be discouraged and come to weep at the feet of Jesus over our failures and our defeats.... Yet let us not cease our efforts. Heaven can be attained by every one of us if we will strive lawfully, doing the will of Jesus and growing into His image. Temporary failure should make us lean more heavily on Christ, and we should press on with brave heart, determined will, and unfaltering purpose.—Signs of the Times, August 14, 1884.?{FH 23.5}[5]
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