SEVEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PRAYER

Conclusion of (2) PRAYER-To Whom?

Baal, meaning "owner" or "master," was the god of the Canaanites, and there were many local versions of this deity.  Jehovah, however, is a unique name, applying only to one Personage in all the universe.  This God told his people:  "I am Jehovah.  That is my name; and to no one else shall I give my own glory." -Isaiah 42:8.

Did Elijah's prayer and the prayers of those Baal prophets go to the same place? Baal worship degraded  people with ritual prostitution and even human sacrifice.  In contrast, the worship of Jehovah ennobled his people, Israel, freeing them from such degrading practices.  So think about it: If you specifically addressed a letter to a highly respected friend, would you expect it to be delivered to someone who did not bear your friend's name and whose vile reputation contradicted everything your friend stood for? Surely not!

If you pray to Jehovah, you are praying to the Creator, the Father of mankind.  "You, O Jehovah, are our Father," said the prophet Isaiah in prayer.  (Isaiah 63:16) This, then, is the very One whom Jesus Christ  spoke when he told his followers:  "I am ascending to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God."  (John 20:17)   Jehovah is Jesus' Father.  He is the God to whom Jesus prayed and to whom Jesus taught his followers to pray. -Matthew 6:9.

 Does the Bible instruct us to pray to Jesus, to Mary, to saints, or to angels?  No-only to Jehovah.  Consider two reasons why. First, prayer is a form of worship, and the Bible says that worship should go exclusively to Jehovah.  (Exodus 20:5)  Second, the Bible reveals that he bears the title "Hearer of prayer."  (Psalm 65:2) Although Jehovah delegates  generously, this is a responsibility he has never passed on to anyone.  He is the God who promises to hear our prayers personally.  

So if you want your prayers to be heard by God, remember this Scriptural admonition:  "Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved."  (Acts 2:21) But does Jehovah hear all prayers unconditionally?  Or is there anything else we need to know if we want our prayers to Jehovah to be heard?

Next time: SEVEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PRAYER/ (3)  PRAYER-How?

From the Watchtower magazine