“Carry On Prayer on Every Occasion in Spirit”

“Accept the . . . sword of the spirit, that is, God’s word, while with every form of prayer and supplication you carry on prayer on every occasion in spirit.”—Eph. 6:17, 18.

Prayer, a Precious Loving Provision

“Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God.”—Phil. 4:6.

Be Steadfast in Prayer

² Especially after one has committed oneself to serve Jehovah God one should take prayer seriously.

Lift Up Loyal Hands in Prayer

“I desire that in every place the men carry on prayer, lifting up loyal hands, apart from wrath and debates.”​—1 TIMOTHY 2:8.

“For my own house will be called even a house of prayer for all the peoples.”—Isa. 56:7

 1. How was the temple in Jerusalem to have served in connection with prayer?

A FEW days before his impalement in 33 C.E., Jesus Christ plainly stated that Jehovah’s royal temple at Jerusalem was to have served as a “house of prayer for all the nations.” (Mark 11:17)

“Persevere in prayer.”​—ROMANS 12:12.

As the “Hearer of prayer,” he listens to their pleas for help to attain the joyous hope that he sets before them. (Romans 15:13; Psalm 65:2)

Coming to the Hearer of Prayer

“O Hearer of prayer, even to you people of all flesh will come.”​—Ps. 65:2.

How Important Is Prayer to You?

If you do, you must give some importance to prayer, and that is fine.

Why is listening an important part of prayer?

Prayer to Jehovah will help you to rebuild these walls in yourself and in others.

She had been taught the value of prayer and that Jehovah can be appealed to for help in times of trouble.

Teaching children about prayer from infancy will contribute much toward their becoming God-fearing when they reach the age of accountability.​—Compare Psalm 22:9, 10; Proverbs 22:6; 2 Timothy 3:14, 15.

Prayer is the spiritual bridge to understanding and friendship between man and Jehovah God.

What impression are you giving to the “Hearer of prayer,” the One to whom all people should come?​—Ps. 65:2.

PRAYER has become popular.

There are now prayer hours, prayer days, prayer weeks, prayer months and prayer years.

Because, although they call themselves Christian and religiously pray the prayer “Thy kingdom come,” they do not talk and act as if they understood what they were praying.

They certainly do not talk and act in harmony with such a prayer.

“Persevere in prayer.”—Rom. 12:12.

So coming to God in prayer, speaking to him what is in our hearts and minds strengthens our gratitude or repentance, as the case may be.

Why Expect God to Listen to Prayer?

PRAYER, without doubt, is the most common of all religious practices.

Fear Jehovah, the Hearer of Prayer

“O Hearer of prayer, even to you people of all flesh will come.”​—PSALM 65:2.

¹⁴ And, finally, being conscious of our spiritual need will make us appreciate the value of prayer, of talking with our heavenly Father, Jehovah God.

By prayer we show that we are keenly aware of our need of his help, that we appreciate our need to keep in touch with him, the Source of true wisdom and all strength.

Joyfully, he praised Jehovah before all the people, concluding a heartfelt prayer with these words: “Blessed be Israel’s God Jehovah from eternity to eternity.”

In ancient times, it was not uncommon for a qualified person among God’s people to represent others in prayer in this way.

 3. (a) What is an important part of our worship? (b) Why should we come in time for the opening of our meetings?

³ Congregational prayer is a vital part of our worship.

It shows proper respect to be at the meetings arranged for the congregation in time to be seated so as to listen carefully to the opening prayer.

 1. With whom do the foregoing three, and the remaining four petitions of the Lord’s prayer, have to do?

THE first three petitions of the Lord’s prayer have to do directly with God’s interests which are of first importance universally.

Being our heavenly Father, God is lovingly interested in these things which vitally affect his children on earth, and Jesus our Teacher assures us we may present these matters to Jehovah God in prayer.

It is similar with prayer.

² Jesus usually went to his Father privately in prayer, as he did for an entire night before choosing the 12 apostles. (Luke 6:12-16)

To this day, prayer is a common feature of the world’s major religions.

Well known for their frequent use of prayer are Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, and those professing to be Christians.

 3. (a) Cite some basic rules governing prayer. (b) What forms may prayer take?

³ Prayer is indeed a precious, weighty, serious privilege, and all well-informed Christians are familiar with the basic rules that govern it.

In an earnest and meaningful prayer, Moses begged Jehovah not to take this action because His name was involved. (Numbers 14:11-19)