17. Whose prayers does Jehovah accept?

¹⁷ God does not accept all prayers. How, then, can we pray with the assurance that our prayers will be accepted? Faithful people to whom God listened in former times approached him in sincerity and with the right heart attitude. They showed faith and backed this up with fine works. We can be assured that Jehovah will listen to those who approach him in like manner today.

18. For their prayers to be heard, what requirement must Christians meet?

¹⁸ There is an additional requirement. The apostle Paul explained this, saying: “Through him we . . . have the approach to the Father by one spirit.” To whom was Paul referring when he wrote, “through him”? To Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:13, 18) Yes, we can have free approach to the Father only through Jesus.​—John 14:6; 15:16; 16:23, 24.

2. What is necessary for prayers to be acceptable to God?

² However, someone may ask, ‘What prayers are acceptable to God?’ The Bible explains one thing that is necessary for prayers to be acceptable when it states: “Without faith it is impossible to please him well, for he that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Yes, as explained in the preceding article, a key factor in approaching God is faith. God is willing to accept the prayers of those who approach him, but they must do so in faith and with right works along with sincerity and a right heart attitude.