God Does Answer Prayers

What if You Feel Unworthy to Pray?

Some sincere people may feel unworthy to pray because of their bad way of life. Jesus Christ told the story of such a man, a despise tax collector. Entering the temple courtyard, this man felt unworthy to come to the customary place of prayer. "Standing at a distance . . . [he] kept beating his breast, saying, 'O God, be gracious to me a sinner.' " (Luke 18:13) According to Jesus, this man received a favorable hearing. This proves that Jehovah God is indeed gracious and wants to help sincerely repentant sinners.

Consider a young South African man name Paul. As a boy, Paul had attended Christian meetings with his mother. But during his high school years, he began associating with young people who did not follow God's ways. After leaving school, he served in the army of South Africa's former apartheid government. Then, unexpectedly, his girlfriend broke off their relationship. This unsatisfying way of life left Paul feeling very depressed. "One evening," he recalls, "I prayed to Jehovah and asked for his help, even though I had not approached God sincerely for years."

Not long after this prayer, Paul's mother invited him to attend the annual Memorial of Christ's death. (Luke 22:19) Paul found it strange that his mother did this, as he had been wayward and had shown little interest in the Bible. "I viewed this invitation as Jehovah's answer to my prayer and felt that I had to reciprocate." From that time onward, Paul began attending all Christian meetings. After four months of Bible study, he qualified for baptism. Moreover, he terminated his engineering studies and chose the career of sharing in the full-time evangelizing work. Today, Paul is a happy man, no longer depressed about his past life. For the last 11 years, he has served at the branch office of the Watchtower Society in South Africa.

Indeed, Jehovah God graciously answers prayers and "becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him." (Hebrews 11:6) Soon the great day of Jehovah will arrive and bring an end to all wickedness. In the meantime, Jehovah is answering the prayers of his people for strength and guidance as they zealously share in the vital work of witnessing. Thus, millions of individuals from all nations are being brought into contact with the Christian congregation and are being blessed with Bible knowledge that leads to everlasting life. -John 17:3.

Next time: JEHOVAH -THE ONE WHO IS VIGOROUS IN POWER

Watchtower, 2000