第二十六天   中國的魔鬼征服者

中譯:林琬儀  TOD大衛會幕禱告部

節錄自亞瑟．華理斯著神所揀選的禁食（Arthur Wallis: God’s Chosen Fast）一本屬靈及實際的禁食指南

席牧師無疑是中國大陸最偉大的聖者之一。神改變他，從被吸食鴉片的恐怖轄制中得釋放，更透過他的事工使得數以千計的同胞從鴉片毒癮及邪靈捆綁中得釋放。許多人透過按手得醫治，人心向福音敞開，教會不斷地被興起建立。從他信主後，他把自己的名字改為勝魔，意思是魔鬼的征服者，好像在直覺裡他知道，神要興起他做一項事工。

在他自己得釋放之後幾個月，他面臨第一次的試驗。他的妻子顯然深受到他新找到的信仰影響，卻被鬼附的妻子飽受憂鬱和精神的折磨。一天，在例行的每日敬拜中，她被一股［無法掌控的憤怒情緒］抓住，大大發作，村民們都認為他的妻子被邪靈控制是因為席得罪了當地的諸神所帶來的審判。村民對他咆哮：有名的魔鬼征服者，讓我們看看你的信仰現在怎麼辦吧。

席弟兄當時已經知道與魔鬼爭戰，禁食禱告有極大的大能

他召聚了一個三天三夜在他家中的禁食禱告，為他禱告。身體很軟弱但是信心很剛強，他緊緊抓住神的應許並且宣告完全的釋放。他走到他受苦的太太前，按手在她身上，奉耶穌的名，命令這個邪靈離開她，不准再折磨她。

席太太立刻得到釋放並且永遠的得著釋放。席太太從此成為一位基督徒，成為席弟兄在神工作上的堅定伙伴。

自此就開始了一個個被描述為［使徒性］的事工，這事工的特色就是與巨大的黑暗權勢對抗，撒旦所釋出的火力是大的，但是與他同在的神的能力更大，帶來救贖，釋放及醫治。每一次面臨各樣的危機———在重要決策上的引導、面對不同人群，不同情況時的智慧，面對鴉片毒癮人的釋放或是被邪靈轄制的人、面臨逼迫或反對⋯⋯席牧師，只有一個處方，就是去禱告，而且要禁食禱告。

席牧師把他的名字改為勝魔，中國找到一位禁食之父。

禱告

父神，再一次興起一個禁食禱告的世代，可以稱得上是［魔鬼的征服者］

 

Day 26 ~China’s Conqueror of Demons

This excerpt is taken from Arthur Wallis’ book called God’s Chosen Fast: A Spiritual and Practical Guide to Fasting.

“Pastor Hsi was surely one of the greatest saints that the land of China has produced. Delivered at the time of his conversion from the awful tyranny of opium smoking, God used this man in a ministry that brought deliverance to hundreds of his fellow countrymen from opium and demon possession. Many were healed through the laying on of hands. The hearts of multitudes were thus opened to the gospel, and churches sprang up throughout the region. From the time of his conversion, he took the name of Sheng-mo, meaning “conqueror of demons,” as if by some strange intuition he knew the work that God had raised him up to do.

Within a few months of his own deliverance came the first great test. His wife, who had given evidence of being influenced by his new-found faith, became demon-possessed. She suffered from deep depression and mental torment, and when the time came for daily worship, she was seized with “paroxysms of ungovernable rage.” The villagers to a man believed that her possession by evil spirits was a judgment upon Hsi for his sin against the gods. “A famous conqueror of demons!” they cried. “Let us see what his faith can do now!”

Hsi had already learned the power of prayer coupled with fasting in the conflict with Satan:

He called for a fast of three days and nights in his household and gave himself to prayer. Weak in body, but strong in faith, he laid hold on the promises of God and claimed complete deliverance. Then, without hesitation, he went to his distressed wife, and laying his hands upon her, in the name of Jesus commanded the evil spirits to depart and torment her no more.

Mrs. Hsi was delivered instantly and permanently, and forthwith declared herself a Christian. She became his able and devoted partner in the work of God.

Thus began a ministry which has been rightly described as “apostolic”. It was characterized by tremendous conflict with the powers of darkness. Great was the power of Satan let loose against him, but greater was the power of God with him to save, deliver and heal. Whatever the crisis that arose - the need for guidance in some important decision, wisdom in handling difficult people or difficult situations, the deliverance of opium addicts or those possessed by demons, the withstanding of persecution or opposition - Hsi had only one remedy. He gave himself to prayer and fasting!”

Pastor Hsi changed his name to Sheng-Mo. China has found a fasting father.

Prayer:

God, once again, raise up a generation through fasting and prayer that could call itself “Conqueror of Demons!”