迫使人转向祷告 

有些异象给人以启迪,有些则让人深受冲击、甚至难以承受。但以理所见的异象兼具这两种特质;而那种“难以承受”的冲击感,恰恰揭示了圣经中关于神真实启示运作方式的一个最清晰的模式:它不仅仅是传递信息,更会促使我们俯伏在地。

当异象令人难以承受时
在《但以理书》第8章中,先知看见了一只公绵羊和一只公山羊的搏斗,这场争战跨越了不同的帝国与世纪。这一幕既生动又精确,却完全超出了他所能理解和消化的范畴。他的反应极其坦诚:“我——但以理,昏迷不醒,病了几天。随后我起来,继续办理王的事务;但我对这异象感到惊骇,且不明白其中的含义”(但以理书 8:27)。

请注意他没有做什么。他没有假装自己一切尽在掌握,也没有立即拿出一份战略方案或列出五点应用指南。他病倒了,感到惊骇,并坦承自己并不明白。如果神向我们显明了什么,让我们感到迷茫而非瞬间豁然开朗,那我们并不孤单。来自天上的异象在初显时,往往并不那么条理分明。它通常是一场属灵角力的开端,而非终结。

当理解促使我们进入更深处时
《但以理书》第9章展示了接下来的发展,这也是整个模式的关键转折点。当时,但以理正在研读耶利米的预言,并“从书卷上领悟了”耶路撒冷荒凉岁月的具体年数(但以理书 9:2)。这一点至关重要:这一次触动他的并非某种全新的异象,而是“理解”——即对既有启示的豁然开朗。而他对这份清晰领悟的反应既迅速又彻底:“我便禁食,披麻蒙灰,定意向主神祈祷恳求”(但以理书 9:3)。

这正是值得我们铭记并持守的模式。我们越是清楚地看见神正在做什么,就越应当迫切地祷告,而不是相反。但以理并没有用他对异象的理解来取代代求,而是将其作为代求的动力。随后便是圣经中最彻底的认罪祷告之一(但以理书 9:4-19);但以理将自己与本国百姓的罪联系在一起,他所仰赖的不是百姓的公义,而是神的怜悯:“我们在你面前恳求,原不是因自己的义,乃因你的大怜悯”(但以理书 9:18)。

**话音未落,天上的回应已至**
接下来的情景应当触动我们每一个人——尤其是那些曾为自己未能完全理解的异象而祷告过的人。“我正说话、祷告的时候……我先前在异象中所见的那位加百列,奉命迅速飞来”(但以理书 9:20-21)。加百列明确告诉他:“你初恳求的时候,就发出命令,我来告诉你”(但以理书 9:23)。就在但以理开口祷告的那一刻,回应便已发出。天上并没有等到但以理祷告结束才行动;神在他说出第一个字时便已采取行动。

这应当重塑我们对待神所赐异象的态度。神向你展示的画面——无论是关于你的家庭、工作、呼召还是群体——主要并非一份“项目简报”。它更像是一份邀请,邀请你进入像但以理那样的祷告之中:坦诚面对困惑,谦卑承认不配,并坚持不懈地寻求神的同在与怜悯。

**承载那些无法完全解释的事物**
哈巴谷被告知要将异象明白地写下来,并等候它成就的时刻(哈巴谷书 2:2-3)。但以理在祷告后被告知,他“大蒙眷爱”,应当“思想这事,明白这异象”(但以理书 9:23)。两者都指向同一个真理:理解是一种在关系中赐予的恩赐,而非靠聪明才智解开的谜题。正如雅各提醒我们的,如果我们缺乏智慧,只需祈求,神就会赐予(雅各书 1:5)。

如果神向你展示了一些你尚无法解释的事物,不要迟疑……在为此祷告之前,先彻底明白它。让“未知”本身成为你寻求祂面的理由。但以理的清晰洞见是在祷告中获得的,而非在祷告之前——甚至在他尚未祈求完毕时,天上的回应便已临到。

23/08/2026
Salma
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Planning your Visit

Why not plan a visit to try us out?


studentwelcomer 

Whether this is your first time visiting a church or you’ve attended another church for years, we understand that visiting a new church can be a bit overwhelming. To help make it a bit easier, we’ve done our best to answer some questions you may have, so your first experience is a little less overwhelming.

Runnymede Christian Fellowship is a church based in Egham but serving a much larger geographical area. Those who call us home come from EghamVirginia Water, Staines, Englefield Green, Egham Hythe, Pooley Green, Maidenhead, Ascot, Camberley, Sunbury, 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 am. You can join us on Livestream or via Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube or X.

The Sunday Venue is Coopers Hall, 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.
 

Sunday Venue at Coopers Hall, Strodes College, Strodes College Lane, Egham


 Prophetic word for students -

Our Sunday service starts at 11.00 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 on the first Sunday of each month and an All-Age All-Nation Service on the second. 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, or catch up with 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 for coffee and prayer.
Our Sunday Service starts at 11:00 and typically runs for about 90 minutes, normally followed by tea and coffee.
 

Driving and Car Parking

Our Sunday Venue is Coopers Hall, 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 to know us better, why not join us for 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 admin address and Midsweek venue is Virginia Lodge, Heritage Court, Egham
Virginia Lodge Ariel
 
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