Keep Worshipping Jehovah When Under Ban - How Will We Worship Under Ban?

How can you continue to worship under while under ban?  The branch office will give the local elders instructions and practical suggestions about  how to receive spiritual food, how to meet together for worship, and how to preach the good news.  If the branch cannot contact the elders, then the elders will help you  and all in the congregation to continue your worship of Jehovah.  They will give direction in harmony with the guidance found in the Bible and in our Christian publications. - MATTHEW 28:19; ACTS 5:29; HEBREWS 10:24, 25.

Jehovah has promises that his servants will be well-fed spiritually.b (Isaiah 65:13, 14; Luke 12:42-44)  So you can be certain that his organization will do everything possible to provide spiritual encouragement you need.  What can you do? When under ban, find a good place to hide your Bible and any other spiritual food you might have.  Be careful never to leave  such precious  material-whether is is in printed or electronic form-in a location where it could easily be discovered.  Each of us must take practical steps to remain spiritually strong. 

What about weekly meetings for worship? The elders will arrange for you to attend meetings in a way that will not attract unwanted attention.  They may direct you to meet in small groups, and they will likely change the meeting times and locations frequently. You can keep everyone who attends safe by speaking quietly when coming to or leaving the meetings.  You may also need to dress in a way that does not attract attention. 

Regarding the preaching work, circumstances will vary from one location to another.  But we love Jehovah and enjoy telling others about his Kingdom, so we will find a way to preach. (Luke 8:1; Acts 4:29) Commenting on the preaching of Jehovah's Witnesses in the former Soviet Union, historian Emily Baran said:  "When  the state told believers that they could not evangelize their faith to others, Witnesses chatted [with} their neighbors , coworkers, and friends.  When these actions landed them in labor camps, Witnesses sought out converts among their fellow prisoners."  Despite the ban, our brothers in the former Soviet Union did not stop preaching. If ever the preaching work is banned where you live, may you have the same determination!

Next time: Keep Worshipping Jehovah When Under Ban - TRAPS TO AVOID

From the jw.org publications