• How Should We Pray to God?
    Awake!—2012 | February

    • Note that Jesus said: “You must pray, then, this way.” The point? Jesus did not want his followers to parrot his words, or recite them. Indeed, he had just discouraged this practice. (Matthew 6:7) Rather, his prayer is a lesson in priorities​—what is important in God’s eyes, not just ours. In order to understand what those priorities are, we need to grasp the meaning of Jesus’ words. Let us, then, examine his words point by point.

      The Model Prayer Explained

      “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.” Jesus rightly addressed God as “Father” because He is loving and protective, like a good human father. He also has a personal name​—Jehovah—​which should not be confused with his many titles, such as Almighty, God, and Lord.a (Psalm 83:18) Why, though, does God’s name, which involves his reputation, need to be sanctified, or made holy? Because it has been reproached and slandered.

      Some people blame God for their trials, when the real cause may have human roots or can be attributed to their simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. (Proverbs 19:3; Ecclesiastes 9:11) Others have accused God of causing natural disasters. However, the Bible says that “with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone.” (James 1:13) And many religions teach that God punishes the bad by torturing them forever in a fiery hell, a teaching that surely offends the God of love. (Jeremiah 19:5; 1 John 4:8) “The wages sin pays is death,” says Romans 6:23, not eternal torture!b