Read: Philippians 1:12–26 

Belief in Jesus's death and resurrection brings the assurance of life with Him forever.

祷告就是与上帝坦诚地说心里话。

I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far. Philippians 1:23

你们也要体贴和尊重妻子……这样，你们的祷告就可以畅通无阻了。?-彼得前书3章7节

A siren wailed outside a little boy’s house. Unfamiliar with the sound, he asked his mother what it was. She explained that it was meant to alert people of a dangerous storm. She said that if people did not take cover, they might die as a result of the tornado. The boy replied, “Mommy, why is that a bad thing? If we die, don’t we meet Jesus?”

有一次，牧师请一位长老带领会众祷告，长老的回答却震惊全场。他说：“牧师，真抱歉！今天来教会时，我跟我老婆不断地争吵，实在不适合带领祷告。”场面顿时变得十分尴尬，接着牧师自己带领会众祷告，礼拜程序也继续进行。但这件事让这位牧师决定，以后除非私下先沟通，否则再也不要当众请人祷告。

Little children don’t always understand what it means to die. But Paul, who had a lifetime of experience, wrote something similar: “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far” (Phil. 1:23). The apostle was under house arrest at the time, but his statement wasn’t fueled by despair. He was rejoicing because his suffering was causing the gospel to spread (vv. 12–14).

在这样的场合中，伪装虔诚或许还比较容易，但这位长老却表现出惊人的诚实。然而就祷告而言，我们可以从这事件中学习重要的功课。上帝是位慈爱的天父，我的妻子是上帝所钟爱的女儿，而身为丈夫的我，若是不尊重敬爱妻子，那么爱她的天父为何要垂听我的祷告呢？

So why would Paul be torn between a desire for life and death? Because to go on living would mean “fruitful labor.” But if he died he knew he would enjoy a special kind of closeness with Christ. To be absent from our bodies is to be home with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:6–8).

使徒彼得对此也做了一番很特别的劝勉。他教导做丈夫的要敬重妻子，视妻子同为基督的后嗣，好让“你们的祷告就可以畅通无阻”（彼得前书3章7节，当代中译本）。这里潜在的道理是，我们的人际关系会影响祷告生活。

People who believe in the saving power of Jesus’s death and resurrection will be with Him forever. It’s been said, “All’s well that ends in heaven.” Whether we live or die, we win. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).

如果我们将主日的笑脸和外表的敬虔，换成与弟兄姐妹坦诚相待，那会是什么景况？如果我们祷告并学习爱人如己，你想上帝又会透过我们成就什么事呢？

Pray:

Dear Jesus, help me to keep my eyes on You, whether I face difficulty in life or death. Let me find security and peace in You.

天父，祢爱祢所有的儿女，但我们却常彼此相争、意见不合。求祢帮助我们，学习爱和敬重他人，好让世人看见祢改变了我们。求祢教导我们如何祷告。

Read: Philippians 1:12–26 

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[a] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christwhat has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[c]20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ,which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

整理：于姊妹