SEVEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PRAYER

(2) PRAYER-To Whom?

DO ALL prayers go to the same place, regardless of who is being addressed?  In today's world, it is often popular to assume so.  The notion appeals to many who favor interfaith movements and want all religions to be acceptable, despite their differences. Is it possible, though,that the idea is untrue?

the Bible teaches that a great many prayers are, in fact, misdirected.  Back when the Bible was written, it was common for people to direct  their prayers to carved images. Yet, God repeatedly warned against that practice. For example, Psalm 115:4-6 says about idols:  "Ears they have, but they cannot hear."  The point is clear.  Why pray to a god who will never hear you?

A vivid Bible account enlarges on this point.  The true prophet Elijah challenged the  the prophets of Baal to pray to their god, after which Elijah would pray to his. Elijah said that the true God would answer and the false one would not.  Accepting the challenge, the Baal prophets prayed long and hard, even with  loud outcries-but to no avail!  The account reads: "There was no one answering, and there was no paying of attention."  (1 Kings 18:29)  How, though, did Elijah fare? 

After Elijah prayed, his God answered instantly, sending fire from heaven t consume an offering that Elijah had set out. What was the difference?  There is one vital clue in Elijah's prayer itself, recorded at 1 Kings 18:36, 37. It is a very short prayer-there are only about 30 words in the original Hebrew.  Yet, in those few lines, Elijah three times addressed God by his personal name, Jehovah. 

Next time: SEVEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PRAYER/Conclusion of (2)  PRAYER-To Whom? 

From the Watchtower magazine