Does PRAYING Do Any GOOD?

AT ONE time or another, nearly everyone feels the need to pray.  In fact, people of almost every religious persuasion pray earnestly.  For instance, thousands of times a day, a Buddhist may repeat the prayer  "I place my faith in Amida Buddha."

Why Do People Pray?

Many Orientals pray to their ancestors and to the gods of Shinto or Tao.  They do so in hopes of passing examinations in schools, reaping good crops, or warding of diseases. By their efforts, Buddhists hope to gain enlightenment.  Hindus pray devoutly to their favorite gods and goddesses for knowledge, wealth and protection.

Some Catholics hope to benefit mankind by devoting their lives as monks or nuns in closed monasteries or convents, praying continually.  Millions of Catholics seek favors from Mary by saying memorized prayers, perhaps with the aid of rosary beads. In Oriental lands, many people use prayer wheels. Protestants repeat the words of the Lord's Prayer, though they may also express their feelings to God spontaneously.  Many Jews travel great distances to pray at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, hoping for restoration of the temple and a new age of prosperity and peace.  Though Millions exert themselves in prayer, human society is increasingly plagued with problems of poverty, addiction, broken families, crime and war. Could it be that all these people are not praying in the right way? (that is part of it, prayer does work, it has for me, because I am a real believer and have faith that God will answer) For that matter, does anyone really hear prayers?

Next time: Does Anyone Hear Prayers?

The Watchtower, 2000

Contributing to the Spiritual Paradise

Most people enjoy visiting a park or garden.  They like to walk through it or perhaps sit on a bench and enjoy the surroundings.  In a similar way, many enjoy associating with Jehovah's Witnesses.  The find the fellowship refreshing, peaceful and restorative.  However, a beautiful garden needs to be tended if it is to  continue  to be paradisaic.  Similarly, the spiritual paradise  exists in this very nonparadisaic world only because Jehovah's Witnesses cultivate it, and God blesses their efforts.  How, then, can one make a meaningful contribution to that paradise?

First, you need to associate with a congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, study the Bible with them, and acquire the Bible knowledge that is the basis of the spiritual paradise.  Carla noted: "There is not spiritual paradise without spiritual food."  This includes reading God's Word regularly and thinking about what you read.  The knowledge acquired will draw you closer to Jehovah God, and you will come to love him.  You will also learn to talk to him in prayer and ask for his guidance and for his spirit to support you as you do his will.  Jesus told us to persist in prayer.  (Luke 11:9-13) The apostle Paul said: "Pray incessantly."  (1 Thessalonians 5:17)  The privilege of speaking to God in prayer with the absolute confidence that he hears you is an important part of the spiritual paradise.

As time goes by,  your life will be changed for the better by what you learn,m and eventually you will want to talk to others about it.  Then you will be able to obey Jesus' command: "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens." (Matthew 5:16)  Sharing with others the knowledge of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ and extolling the great love these have shown to mankind brings much happiness.

The time is coming when all the earth will be a physical paradise-a gardenlike place free of pollution and a fitting home for faithful mankind.  The existence of the spiritual paradise in these "critical times hard to deal with" is an evidence of the power of God and a token of what he can and will accomplish in the future. -2 Timothy 3:1.

Even now, those enjoying the spiritual paradise experience a spiritual fulfillment of Isaiah 49:10: "They will not go hungry, neither will they go thirsty, nor will  parching heat or sun strike them.  For the One who is having pity upon them will lead them, and by the springs of water he will conduct them."  Jose will testify to the truth of that.  He dreamed of becoming a famous musician, but he found more satisfaction in serving God with the Christian congregation.  He says: "Now I enjoy a meaningful life.  I feel secure within the Christian brotherhood, and I know Jehovah  as a loving Father whom we can trust."  The happiness of Jose-and of millions of others like him-is thus well described at Psalm 64:10. "The righteous one will rejoice in Jehovah and will indeed take refuge  in him." What a find description of the spiritual paradise!

Next time: REJOICING FOR THOSE WHO WALK IN THE LIGHT

The Watchtower, 2001

Chapter- 8 -WHY DOES GOD PERMIT SUFFERING?

WHEN disasters strike, destroying property and claiming lives, many cannot understand why such terrible things happen.  Others are troubled by the extent, cruelty and wantonness of crime and violence.  You too may have wondered, 'Why does God permit suffering?' 

Because they have found no satisfactory answer to this question, many have lost faith in God.  They feel that he is not interested in mankind.  Others who accept suffering as a fact of life become embittered and blame God for all the evil in human society.  If you have had such feelings, doubtless you will be very interested in the Bible's statements on these matters.

Next time: SUFFERING NOT FROM GOD

The Book - KNOWLEDGE That Leads To Everlasting Life, 1995

MAY WE NEVER SHRINK BACK TO DESTRUCTION

Conclusion of Why We Should Never Shrink Back to Destruction

Now, consider a contrast. Today, pure worship has already lasted longer than the period until the apostles died. From the time of the publication of the first issue of this journal back in 1879, Jehovah has blessed us with increasingly purified worship. Jehovah and Christ Jesus entered the spiritual temple in 1918 for the purpose of cleansing it. (Malachi 3:1-5) Since 1919, the arrangement for worshiping Jehovah God has been progressively refined. Our understanding of Bible prophecies and principles has become clearer. (Proverbs 4:18) To whom does the credit go? Not to mere imperfect humans. Only Jehovah, with his Son as head of the congregation, could protect his people from corruption, during these corrupt times. Let us never fail, then, to thank Jehovah for allowing us to take part in pure worship today. And let us be firmly resolved never to shrink back to destruction!

Like those Hebrew Christians, we have a second reason for rejecting a cowardly , shrinking course-our own record of endurance. Whether we have begun to serve Jehovah in recent years or have been doing so, faithfully for decades, we have built up a record of Christian works. Many of us have suffered persecution, be it imprisonment, ban, brutality, or loss of property. Many more have faced family opposition, scorn, ridicule and indifference. All of us have endured continuing our faithful service to Jehovah despite life's challenges and tests. By doing so, we have built up a record of perseverance that Jehovah will not forget, a storehouse of treasures in heaven. Surely, then, this is no time to shrink back to the corrupt old system we left behind! why render all our hard work worthless? Especially is this true today, w hen only "a very little while" is left behind before the end. -Hebrews 10:37.

Yes, let us be resolved that "we are not the sort that shrink back to destruction!" Let us, rather, be "the sort that have faith." (Hebrews 10:39) How can we make sure that we fit that description, and how can we help fellow Christians to do the same? Our next article will consider this matter.

Next time: LET US BE THE SORT THAT HAVE FAITH

Watchtower, 1999

MAY WE NEVER SHRINK BACK TO DESTRUCTION

How Christians Were Pressured to Shrink Back

the evidence indicates that Paul wrote his letter to the Hebrews about 61 C.E. The congregation in Jerusalem had a tumultuous history. After the death of Jesus, a wave of vicious persecution struck, forcing many Christians in the city to scatter. A periods of peace ensued, however, allowing the number of Christians to multiply. (Acts 8:4; 9:31) As the years passed, other persecutions and hardships came and went. It seems that by the time Paul wrote the letter to the Hebrews,the congregation was once again enjoying a period of comparative peace. Still, there were pressures. Nearly three decades had passed since Jesus had foretold the destruction of Jerusalem. There were likely some who felt that the end had delayed beyond reason and might not come in their lifetime. Others, especially those newer in the faith, had not yet been tested by severe persecution and knew little of the need for endurance under trial. (Hebrews 12:4) Satan surely sought to take advantage of such circumstances. What "crafty acts" did he use?

The Jewish community in Jerusalem and Judea viewed the fledgling Christian congregation with contempt. Judging from the content of Paul's letter, we get some idea of the taunts that the arrogant Jewish religious leaders and their followers directed at the Christians. They may, in effect, have said: 'We have the great temple in Jerusalem, standing for centuries! We have a noble high priest officiating there, along with his underpriests. Sacrifices are offered daily. We have the Law, transmitted by angels to Moses and established with great signs upon Mount Sinai. This upstart sect, these Christians, who have apostatized from Judaism, they have none of these things!' Did such scorn find its mark? Some Hebrew Christians were evidently troubled by the attacks. Paul's letter came to their aid at just the right time.

Next time: Whey They Should Never Shrink Back to Destruction

Watchtower, 1999

A MILESTONE FOR LOVERS OF GOD'S WORD

Conclusion with Reaching Non-English Readers

The United Bible Societies reports that of the world's 6,500 languages, portions of the Bible are available in only 2,212. Hence, some 100 translators are working to produce the New World Translation of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures in 11 and 8 languages respectively. God's will is "that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth." (1 Timothy 2:4) The New World Translation will not doubt continue to play a major role in this regard.

We therefore rejoice that this translation has passed a milestone of 100 million copies, and we pray that many more millions will be produced in the future. We encourage you to examine for yourself. You will enjoy numerous special features: clear type, page headings, an index that can help you to locate familiar verses, detailed maps and fascinating appendix material. More important, you can read the this Bible with confidence that it accurately transmits the very sayings of God in your language.

Next time: Christmas in the Orient

Watchtower, 1999

How Can the Quest for Longer Life SUCCEED?

Where Should We Put Our Trust?

Man has a natural desire to live, not die. Therefore, scientific progress in this domain is readily hailed and associated with high hopes. But so far that is no hard evidence that DHEA, kinetin, melatonin, hGH, or any other substance can actually retard aging in humans. Skeptics fear that manipulating the telomerase in cells will do nothing but create potential cancer cells. And the use of nanotechnology and cryonics is still more science fiction than reality.

Science has contributed to, and may still contribute to, a longer and healthier life for some, but it will never give anybody eternal life. Why not? Simply put, it is because the root cause of aging and death lies beyond the realm of human science..

The Root Cause of Aging and Death

Most scientists agree that aging and death seem somehow programmed into our genes. The question is: When , how and why did they enter into our genetic code, as it were?

The Bible give us the simple answer-even though it does not present it in terms of genetics or DNA. Romans 5:12 reads: "That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned."

The first man, Adam, had the prospect of living forever. His body was designed with the necessary faculties to live and enjoy eternal life. Eternal life was conditional though. Adam had to collaborate with and be obedient to the Source of life, his Creator, in order to maintain his life perpetually. -Genesis 2:31; 2:15-17.

Adam chose to disobey the Creator, in effect, Adam claimed that man is better off ruling himself independent of God. Thus he sinned. From that point onward, it was as if his genetic code was altered. Instead of passing on an everlasting life as an inheritance to his offspring, Adam transmitted sin and death. -Genesis 3:16, 19; Romans 6:23.

Next time: The True Hope

Watchtower, 1999