PRAYERS THAT JEHOVAH HEARS

Some may feel that God does not answer their prayers even though they pray to him through Christ.  However, the apostle John said: "No matter what it is  that we ask according to [God's] will, he hears us."  (John  5:14) So, then, we need to ask according to God's will.  Since he is interested in our spiritual welfare, anything affecting our spirituality is an appropriate subject for prayer.  We must resist the temptation to concentrate entirely  on physical needs.  For instance, while it is proper to pray for insight and fortitude to deal with illness, worries about health should not crowd out spiritual interests.  (Psalm 41:1-3)  Having become aware that she was overly concerned about her health, one Christian woman asked Jehovah for help to have the proper view of her illness.  As a result, her health problems became a much smaller issue, and she felt that she was given "power beyond what is normal." ( 2 Corinthians 4:7) Her desire  to be of spiritual help to others intensified, and she became a full-time Kingdom proclaimer.

What may we include in our prayers so that Jehovah will be pleased to hear them?  Jesus Christ taught his disciples how to pray.  In the model prayer recorded at Matthew 6:9-13, he set out a pattern of subjects about which we may rightly pray.  What should be of  chief concern in our prayers?  Jehovah God's name and Kingdom must be the top priority.  Asking for out material needs is appropriate.  It is also important to ask for forgiveness of our sins, and for deliverance from temptation and he wicked one, Satan the Devil. Jesus did not want us to chant this prayer or to repeat it over and over, reciting it without thinking about its meaning. (Matthew 6:7) What kind of relationship would it be if a child used the same words every time he spoke to his father?

Besides petitions and heartfelt supplications,we should offer prayers and thanksgiving.  (Psalm 34:1; 92:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:18) We can also pray for others.  Prayers regarding  our spiritual brothers and sisters who are afflicted or persecuted show our interest in them, and Jehovah is pleased to hear us express  such concern. (Luke 22:32; John 17:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:25)  In fact, the apostle Paul wrote:  "Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6, 7.

Next time: PERSEVERE IN PRAYER

The Book -KNOWLEDGE That Leads To Everlasting Life, 1995