代祷的影响

代祷静静地存在于基督徒生活的核心，它常常不为人知，鲜少受到赞扬，却蕴含着深远的力量。它是在无人关注之时发生的服事，是为他人向神祷告，是信心在天地之间架起桥梁。按照现代标准，代祷或许并不喧闹、引人注目或高效，但圣经始终表明，它能改变人、改变境况，甚至改变历史的进程。

简而言之，代祷就是充满爱的祷告。它是选择将他人带到神面前，相信祂会垂听、了解并回应。当亚伯拉罕站在耶和华面前为所多玛城祈求时，他并非为罪恶辩护，而是恳求神的怜悯和公义。《创世记》18章展现了一个既勇敢祷告又谦卑聆听的人。那座城已满目疮痍，但这段对话揭示了一位邀请祂的子民参与对话的神，以及一位愿意坚持不懈的人。这里的代祷并非被动的，而是一种扎根于关系的积极信心。

摩西的故事则提供了另一个令人震撼的例证。当以色列人转向金牛犊时，上帝宣告祂的愤怒，然而摩西却以破碎的心为祂代求。《出埃及记》32章记载，摩西提醒上帝祂的应许、祂的约以及祂在列国中的名声。这并非操纵，而是与上帝同心。摩西站在圣洁的上帝和悖逆的百姓之间，甚至甘愿为他们献出自己。代求往往需要付出代价，它需要情感的投入和属灵的勇气。

《诗篇》揭示了另一种形式的代求：一种充满敬拜和哀恸的祷告。大卫常常不仅为自己，也为整个国家呼求。《诗篇》122篇呼召信徒为耶路撒冷的平安祷告，将祷告与对上帝子民的爱联系起来。代求自然而然地源于一颗深切关心上帝所关心之事的心。当我们的爱被祂塑造时，我们的祷告也随之而来。

在新约中，代求变得更加个人化。耶稣自己就是我们最终的代求者。罗马书8章提醒我们，基督在神的右边，为我们代求。希伯来书7章说，祂活着就是为了代求。这个真理改变了一切。代求并非人的发明，而是神的作为。当我们为他人祷告时，我们就是在与耶稣一同参与祂持续不断的工作。仅此一点就足以提升我们对祷告的理解，使其超越责任，成为一种特权。

耶稣在世传道期间，始终以身作则地示范代求。祂在十字架前为门徒祷告，求父保护他们，使他们成圣，并使他们合而为一，正如约翰福音17章所记载的。祂不仅为当时在场的人祷告，也为将来会信祂的人祷告，这其中也包括我们。代求超越眼前的境况，着眼于神长远的旨意。

早期教会对此十分重视。使徒行传12章记载，彼得被囚禁期间，教会为他恳切祷告。没有策略会议，没有政治筹划，只有坚持不懈的祷告。结果，彼得奇迹般地获释，令众人惊叹不已。代祷并非总能带来显著的果效，但有时却能如此，这提醒我们，上帝不受紧闭的大门或人为权威的约束。

保罗始终恳请教会为他祷告，也为他们祷告。他的书信中充满了为力量、智慧、爱心和忍耐力而作的代祷。《歌罗西书》1章谈到要不住地祷告，使信徒们明白上帝的旨意。这里的代祷具有深刻的牧养意义，它关乎灵命的塑造，而不仅仅是解决问题。

代祷的影响并非总是立竿见影，但它是真实存在的。人心得以软化，信心得以增长，平安得以安息，盼望得以重现。有时环境会改变，人也会改变，代祷者自身也常常会改变。祷告塑造我们，正如它塑造结果一样。

在这个喧嚣而紧迫的世界里，代祷邀请我们放慢脚步，聆听，并信靠上帝。它提醒我们，我们并非无能为力的旁观者，而是上帝救赎工作的积极参与者。当我们为他人挺身而出时，我们反映了基督的心意，他永远为我们挺身而出。

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Planning your Visit

Welcome to Runnymede Christian Fellowship, an Egham Church

Runnymede Christian Fellowship is a church based in Egham but serving a much larger geographical area. Those who call us home come from Egham, Virginia Water, Staines, Englefield Green, Egham Hythe, Pooley Green, Maidenhead, Heathrow, Slough, Ashford, Thorpe, Windsor, Woking and beyond.

Our church is a community of believers who gather regularly to share life and demonstrate God's love. We do this by encouraging and serving each other and the community. We believe in the power of prayer and are always happy to pray for you.

Church - What to expect

Our Sunday service is available to stream online at 11:00 a.m. You can join us on Livestream or via Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube or X (Twitter).

The Sunday Service is now held at Strodes College, Strodes College Lane in Egham open to all, so if you would like to join us, please feel free to do so. If you have any questions, please call us on 01784 637010.

We run a physical Sunday School most weeks. If you would like your children to receive a weekly Sunday School teaching pack that you can do from home, please email us at admin@e-runnymede.co.uk so that we can send you the materials.

Church on Sunday at Strodes College, Egham

Our Sunday service starts at 11:00 a.m. and typically lasts about 90 minutes.

We begin each service with lively worship, featuring songs from around the world, followed by inspiring, Bible-based teaching. All our sermons are recorded and are available as a podcast after the service.

We have a monthly cycle of Sunday services, with our Communion Service being on the first Sunday of each month and an All-Age All-Nation Service on the second Sunday of each month. Our other Sunday services include Spirit-focused and teaching services.

We have consciously adopted being a blended church, that is, both online and face-to-face. You are welcome to join us on Livestream or via Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, or X (Twitter), or you can catch up and watch the recordings later.

Joining us in person

Visiting a new and unfamiliar church for the first time can be intimidating, but we want to ensure you feel welcome and enjoy your time with us. A friendly face will be waiting to meet you at the entrance and welcome you.

Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for coffee and prayer. Our Sunday Service starts at 11:00 a.m. and typically runs for about 90 minutes, normally followed by tea and coffee.

Driving and Car Parking

Our Sunday Morning Service is now held at Strodes College, Strodes College Lane, Egham, TW20 9DR, which has ample parking. Click on the link for directions to RCF.

We have plenty of parking spaces right outside the building. Spaces are reserved near the entrance for anyone with mobility issues (those with a blue badge). Please let us know if you need to use one of these spaces, have any special needs, or require any assistance.

The car parking area is a public area, so please ensure that your children are under your control and that, for their safety, they do not run around in the car park.

Visiting with children?

Everyone is welcome at RCF. We encourage everyone, regardless of age, to join the service. We offer Sunday School, which begins after worship and runs concurrently with the sermon for 30 to 40 minutes, serving children aged 4 to 12. On the second Sunday of each month, we have a shorter All-Aged All Nations Service, where the children stay for the worship and the sermon.

After Church

We chat over coffee and biscuits after church on the first, third, fourth and fifth Sundays. If you want to get more acquainted, why not join us for a Sunday lunch with some of our members? The first meal is on us (Voucher provided). Please contact us and let us know. We would love to share a meal and get to know you better!

Fellowship Feast

Want to connect?

If you're interested in connecting with us, whether to join our online community or attend our Sunday gatherings, please use our connect card.

Any Questions?

If you have any questions, please review our FAQ page. Here, you’ll find answers to many common questions. If you still have questions or concerns, please contact us; we’d love to hear from you.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO RCF!!

To contact us or see a map, click here.

Our midweek Ministry base at Virginia Lodge, Egham
Virginia Lodge Ariel