“Pray for one another [...]. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful” (JAMES 5:16).
1. How do we know that our prayers are important to Jehovah?
We know that our prayers are important to Jehovah because he has reserved for himself the task of listening to them. Although he has delegated many responsibilities to the angels and to his Son, Jehovah is “the one who hears prayers,” and he desires to hear them personally. This shows that prayer is an extraordinary gift and that Jehovah greatly values our approach to him through it.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We know this because, although Jehovah has delegated tasks to angels and entrusted his Son with many responsibilities, the Bible says that he is the one who “hears prayers.” This makes it clear that he wants to hear them personally; therefore, prayers are very important to him.
Given that prayer is a gift—because we did not earn it, but Jehovah God gave it to us—it is so important that, through prayer, we can be sure that Jehovah will protect us, help us, and give us the strength to endure any situation we may be going through.
Psalm 65:2 says that Jehovah listens to people of all sorts. That is very encouraging, because it means that he listens not only to those in positions of authority but also to ordinary people. Jehovah listens to each one of us with love and care, regardless of our privileges in the congregation.
Psalm 91:11 says that God has delegated many tasks to angels, and we know that on several occasions he has spoken to humans through an angel. Furthermore, at Matthew 28:18 Jesus Christ says: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” However, Jehovah personally hears the prayers of each and every one of us. This shows that prayers are very important to him.
2. What good example did the apostle Paul leave us?
The apostle Paul set a fine example for us by praying not only for his own concerns but also for others. Even though he had many personal problems, he made time to mention entire congregations and individual brothers and sisters in his prayers, demonstrating his concern and love for them. This teaches us to be consistent and considerate when praying for others.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Paul had many of his own concerns to pray about. Even so, he made time to pray for others.
Paul wrote to Timothy: “I thank God and always remember you in my prayers night and day.” This shows that, even though he had his own responsibilities, he also made time to pray for others.
The apostle Paul had many reasons to be concerned. He wrote this letter while imprisoned in Rome during his first incarceration. Furthermore, he himself mentions having a “thorn in the flesh,” likely a serious health problem. In other words, he had many reasons to feel overwhelmed or worried. However, he kept his fellow believers, the congregation, in mind and says that he prayed for them.
Paul prayed for groups, for example, for a congregation; he prayed for particular people and also made time to pray beyond his own concerns.
3. Why might we sometimes forget to pray for others?
Sometimes we can forget to pray for others because life in this system is so hectic and we can become so focused on our own problems and needs that we end up praying only for ourselves.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Sometimes we forget to pray for others because, as Sabrina says, life in this system is unstable. We can become so focused on our own problems that we only pray for what we need.
This article will teach us why it is important to pray for others and how to do it, as well as what suggestions we should follow in this regard.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
4, 5. In what sense do the prayers we make for others have “a powerful effect”? (James 5:16).
The prayers we offer for others have “a powerful effect” because Jehovah takes them into account and can act in behalf of the person for whom we pray, provided it is in harmony with his will. Although we do not force him to act, he considers our concerns and, in some cases, responds by doing what we ask. This motivates us to turn to Jehovah in prayer when we are troubled and to trust that he will act in the best way.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We have an example of this in the case of the apostle Peter. Jesus knew perfectly well that Peter was going to deny him and also knew the great effect that this could have on him. That is why he begged Jehovah that his faith would not fail.
The apostle Paul also knew this powerful effect, for while under arrest he told his brothers: “I hope to return to you through your prayers.” So he trusted that the prayers of the brothers could contribute to his release.
Praying sincerely and then leaving the matter in Jehovah's hands gives us peace. It reminds us that we are not the ones in control of the situation, but rather the One who loves us most and knows exactly what is best.
James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” This is a very important passage, as it helps us to place all our burdens in God’s hands, trusting that He will do His work in us.
One might think that Jehovah already knows what we need and wonder why ask him for something if he can already do it. The paragraph doesn't suggest that we should force Jehovah to act, but it does make it clear that, in a situation where Jehovah may have several options, he could choose one or another depending on what is prayed for. The thought that our prayers can influence Jehovah's final decision is striking.
It is very interesting what 2 Corinthians 1:11 indicates, where it mentions “praying for others.” The footnote also includes the expression “praying earnestly for others,” which refers to a humble and sincere supplication directed solely to God. Therefore, as mentioned in the paragraph, this does not mean that we force Jehovah to answer us. However, as it concludes, “these prayers can greatly influence what God does and when he does it.” Thus, we can see the powerful effect that prayers have.
The verse also speaks of acting in response to the prayers of many. The footnote says: “because of many faces in prayer.” This helps us understand it better with the video “Does Jehovah Answer Your Prayers?” by Caleb. There we see how prayers that rise to Jehovah have an effect, and Sophia is courageous and manages to overcome the classmate who was bullying her. In this way, we can imagine how the prayers of all Jehovah’s servants, offered up together, can have a very powerful effect.
The Insight entry “Prayer” also provides a very interesting insight, because it is not only the number of Jehovah’s servants who pray specifically for something or someone that matters, but also the degree of interest those servants show collectively. When they collectively demonstrate deep concern and united interest, that can influence Jehovah to act.
It is also important to remember that Jehovah does not always answer prayers when or how we expect.
6. What effect does praying for others have on our feelings? (1 Peter 3:8).
Praying for others has a positive effect on our feelings, helping us cultivate tender compassion. By thinking about the needs and sufferings of others, we become more aware of their struggles, love them more, and feel closer to them. Furthermore, praying for others awakens in us the desire to help them in practical ways, thus strengthening our bonds of love and empathy.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Praying for others compels us to observe our brothers and sisters, to focus on their circumstances and the situations they are going through; as a result, we become aware of their needs.
When we pray for others, we need to tell Jehovah why we are praying and what we are asking for. This makes us more aware of how we can help and motivates us to do so. And how wonderful it is to think that, after asking Jehovah for something, helping that person is as if we ourselves were answering that prayer. Without a doubt, this greatly enhances the value of prayer.
Putting ourselves in the shoes of someone who is suffering is fundamental. When Jesus saw the leper asking for help, the Bible says he was moved with compassion, and then he showed him that he wanted to help him. That is compassion: feeling pity, sadness, sharing feelings, and wanting to help. When we analyze the person's feelings, we feel their pain in the same way, and that moves us to want to help.
The footnote to 1 Peter indicates that the word our Bible translates as “empathy” can also be translated as “sharing the same suffering.” Thus, Jesus Christ did more than heal that leper. Verse 41 says that Jesus touched him. Jesus Christ didn't need to touch him, but imagine a person with leprosy: How many years would have passed without anyone touching them? In this way, Jesus Christ did more than heal him.
7. Why does praying for others help us see our problems from the right perspective? (Philippians 2:3, 4; see also the pictures.)
Praying for others helps us see our problems from the right perspective because it reminds us that we are not the only ones facing difficulties. By thinking about and praying for the trials our brothers and sisters around the world are going through, we stop focusing only on ourselves and understand that everyone suffers in this system. This helps us maintain a humble and balanced attitude toward our own problems.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Because when we make an effort to stop, think, and seek out what our brothers and sisters need so that we can mention it in our prayers, we inevitably stop thinking about our own problems. In this way, we fulfill what we read at Philippians 2:3 and show that we consider others as more important than ourselves; that is, that their problems are more important than ours and, therefore, they need Jehovah’s help.
The experience of a pioneer is mentioned, which explains another value. When we think about the problems of the sisterhood, we do so recognizing that they too have difficulties and that we must help them. In this way, our own problems take a back seat and we perceive them as less significant.
In the previous Watchtower, we studied the case of Elijah, who thought he was the only prophet left and the only one loyal to Jehovah. However, this was not the case: there were thousands more who were also in similar situations, and this helped him. Praying for others and showing interest in them can have the same effect on us.
We must recognize that the situation we are experiencing is very complex. All our brothers and sisters are going through great difficulties because, as Revelation 12:12 says, Satan is here on earth and, therefore, causes us all to suffer. Since the situation is so complicated, we need to pray for one another.
For example, in the first two images we see a girl praying for some siblings who appear to have gone through a natural disaster, and in the next one, the siblings who have gone through the natural disaster are praying for the brother who is in prison.
As we see in one of the different scenes of the image, the brother in prison, despite the difficulties he is facing, remembers the brothers who suffer from old age or illness.
In the last photo it is very interesting to see how an elderly sister, with a chronic illness, remembers her younger siblings, how they defend their faith and how they, at school, also face great difficulties.
The beautiful thing about this composite image is that, even though each one has their own problems and surely asks Jehovah for help to obtain that peace of mind that Brother Mariano mentioned earlier, they all also pray for other brothers, they remember that there are brothers going through hard times, and that is the beautiful thing about Christian unity.
It's wonderful that we realize our prayers are so valuable. They can help many brothers and sisters going through different problems, and we don't need money or any other special circumstances to help; our prayers alone can be a great help to them.
In the picture, we see that all these brothers and sisters have their own problems, but they don't just pray for themselves or focus solely on what's happening to them; they also pray for others. This creates a kind of prayer support network. In the end, all those prayers reach Jehovah, and they are praying for all of them, and Jehovah hears them. How wonderful it is to know that we can count on a brotherhood that also prays for us.
ILLUSTRATION
Images of brothers and sisters praying for one another despite their own struggles: 1. A young girl sits on her bed praying; above, circled, is a family in a boat fleeing their home during a flood. 2. The family in the previous image is praying; above, circled, is a brother in prison. 3. The brother in the previous image is praying in his cell; above, circled, is an older sister in the hospital. 4. The older sister in the previous image is praying; above, circled, is the young girl from the first image sitting in class while the other children celebrate a birthday.
Praying for others helps us see our problems from the right perspective. (See paragraph 7.)
WHO NEEDS OUR PRAYERS?
8. Who can we pray for?
We can pray for many groups; for example, for those with health problems, for young people who face bullying and pressure at school, and for older siblings. We can also pray for those who suffer opposition from their families or governments, for those who have had to leave their homes because of political instability, and for those who are suffering from natural disasters. Even if we don't know them personally, praying for them demonstrates our love and obedience to Jesus' command to love one another.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
For different groups; for example, we can pray for those who have health problems or for young people who face teasing and negative expressions at school.
We can also pray for our brothers and sisters who are getting older and for those who face family opposition and have to cope with it.
It's not necessary to know them personally. If we pray for our brothers and sisters who are facing problems or difficulties, for example, because of natural disasters in other places, we are showing that we care for them. And, of course, they, in their own time, can also pray for us. In other words, in this way we are demonstrating the love we should practice.
Sometimes, when we feel we can't do much to help our brothers and sisters, we think the only thing we can do is pray. But in the end, it's the most valuable thing we can do. Prayer is an expression of love, as John 13:34 says. We can even keep in mind the image from The Watchtower and, before praying, remember the situations our brothers and sisters are facing; it beautifully illustrates that "chain" and how important prayer is.
9. Why should we pray for brothers who have responsibilities within Jehovah’s organization and for their wives?
We should pray for the brothers and sisters who have responsibilities within Jehovah’s organization because they carry a heavy workload and, at the same time, face personal concerns. Many become worn out serving others while dealing with difficult situations in their own lives.
Although we may not always know all their concerns, praying for them shows appreciation, love, and support, and acknowledges their efforts. Furthermore, praying for their wives is important because they loyally support them, enabling them to continue serving their brothers and sisters with dedication.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Because they too have to deal with many worries and problems, but, as 2 Corinthians 12:15 mentions, they strive for us.
A circuit overseer made an interesting comment. He said that one of the hardest things for him is being away from his parents, because they are elderly and ill. Although his sister and her husband lovingly care for them, he feels pain because he can't do more for them. Similarly, brothers with responsibilities have a lot of work to do and, in addition, must care for their families, so they may not be able to help in all the ways they would like.
In this paragraph, the organization reminds us to pray for the wives of brothers who have responsibilities. For example, there are brothers on the Governing Body who are married, as well as brothers on branch committees, congregation elders, and traveling overseers. Many of them have spouses who loyally support them, allowing them to dedicate time to caring for and protecting us. If we remember them in our prayers, we will be showing that we hold them in high esteem.
These brothers mentioned in the paragraph are undoubtedly imitating Paul’s example. As we see in 2 Corinthians, Paul wore himself out for his brothers; he did not seek prestige or recognition and was willing to exert himself for their spiritual welfare. So, if we too exert ourselves by praying for our brothers, Jehovah will care for us.
Although we might see it as selfish, they are, in a way, the ones taking care of us. So, if we pray for them, we ultimately benefit ourselves as well. The same is true when we pray for the wives of these brothers. They support them in the most difficult times, but they also face many moments of loneliness and endure various pressures. If we pray for them, we are helping these sisters continue to care for the brothers who, in turn, care for us.
10, 11. Does Jehovah like prayers that include many brothers?
Yes, Jehovah likes prayers that include many brothers and sisters. Since we do not know the specific needs of each of his servants, it is good to make general requests that include large groups, such as those who are imprisoned or those who have lost a loved one. These prayers show that we have love for the entire brotherhood and reflect our sincere concern for all of them.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Yes, since in the end we do not know in detail all the needs and problems that our brothers face, it is not wrong to make an "umbrella prayer", as it is said in the example, that encompasses many brothers and thus not leave anyone out.
When we offer these "umbrella prayers," we demonstrate that we don't just love a few, but that we truly love all our brothers and sisters, even if we don't know them or their individual circumstances.
Jesus himself also offered this type of prayer. At John 17:20, during his last night, he prayed for all those who would follow him after those days. The apostle Paul, at Ephesians 6, also shows that he wanted us to pray for others. If these brothers encouraged us to do so, it is because it is good, and Jehovah is pleased when we offer such prayers.
It is important that we keep this in mind in our public prayers, since referring to some brothers and sisters by name could cause us to neglect others who also need our attention and prayers. This is especially important because public prayers are heard not only by Jehovah but also by those around us. Therefore, this type of “umbrella prayer” is very valuable, as it encompasses all the brothers and sisters.
WHAT SHOULD WE DO WHEN WE PRAY FOR SPECIFIC BROTHERS AND SISTERS?
12. Why does being observant help us to make more specific sentences?
Being observant helps us to pray more specifically because it allows us to identify the concrete needs and struggles of each brother and sister. By noticing what others are going through, we develop greater empathy, and this motivates us to mention them in our prayers in a more detailed and personal way, rather than limiting ourselves to general requests.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
By being observant, we develop empathy. This will specifically encourage us to pray for the circumstances of those brothers and sisters. Furthermore, it's very helpful to make a list of them so we don't forget anyone.
We are also encouraged to be observant. For example, if we see a brother struggling with a chronic illness, we should pray for his recovery. As Romans mentions, we should rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Therefore, our prayers should be heartfelt, so that Jehovah will help that brother.
Within the congregation, there are young people who are studying and sometimes struggle with peer pressure or trying to get good grades. There are also single parents, and many others face various difficulties.
In the video “Takeshi Shimizu: Jehovah Is ‘The One Who Hears Prayers’,” a brother is mentioned who worked tirelessly for the congregation and wore himself out in his service. He said that he had made it a habit to pray for the brothers, mentioning them by name. His wife became ill and died, and then he too became ill and was confined to a wheelchair. Nevertheless, he said that he asked Jehovah to protect his sheep from Satan’s attacks. Although he could no longer do much for the congregation because of his limitations, he could still pray for each of the brothers. He made a list of them all so as not to overlook anyone and was convinced that his prayers reached Jehovah and that He would help the brothers for whom he was praying.
A very beautiful thing is that the brother in the video said that, since he couldn't visit all the brothers in the congregation or pastor them all, he had gotten used to praying for them many times a day, mentioning each one by name.
The brother in the video also consulted the JW website to find out the names of the brothers who were imprisoned so he could offer specific prayers for them.
The video also mentioned the effect this brother's prayers had. He said that when he saw brothers he hadn't seen in a long time and told them he had prayed for them, they were moved and told him they had felt the impact of those prayers.
13. Can we pray for brothers and sisters we don't know?
Yes, we can pray for brothers and sisters we don't know personally. We can even mention them by name, as in the case of brothers and sisters imprisoned in various countries, whose names we can find on jw.org. Doing so helps us remember them better and include them more personally in our prayers, thus showing our interest in and love for them.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The paragraph mentions that Brother Brian already ministers to the elderly in the circuit, but he still thinks of those in prison. His love is not limited to those he knows personally, but extends to those whom Jehovah knows. Likewise, we can show love by remembering in our prayers brothers and sisters whom we do not know personally.
The link to JW mentions that some of our brothers and sisters, perhaps because they practiced their religion or because they were conscientious objectors, are currently in prison. When we consult the information by country, we see the number of imprisoned brothers and their names; some even include personal details, such as their occupation, activities, marital status, and even their photograph. This allows us to feel closer to them and pray with greater awareness, even though we don't know them personally in the congregation, putting a face and a name to our prayers.
We have the experience of many brothers and sisters who have gone to prison. We should remember and pray individually for those who are incarcerated and those who were recently arrested for being Jehovah's Witnesses.
Knowing these details makes us want to do something. Of course, we feel a great sense of helplessness because of our limitations as human beings, but through prayer we can trust that Jehovah can do something for them.
14, 15. What will help us to make more specific sentences?
It will help us to pray more specifically if we put ourselves in our brothers' shoes and think about their daily lives. By reading about their experiences and imagining how they feel and what specific needs they may have, we come up with clear details to pray for.
In addition, making specific requests, mentioning our brothers and sisters by name, and reflecting on their environment allows us to include specific aspects in our prayers and demonstrate abundant love for them.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Something that will help us is to put ourselves in their shoes and consider the concerns a brother or sister who is incarcerated might have. For example, if someone is married, one of their main concerns would be their family: their spouse, how to meet their needs, and what care they will require. Reflecting on this will make it easier for us to identify specific details for which to pray.
Hebrews 13:3 is a beautiful passage that says: “Remember those in prison as if you were imprisoned with them.” Putting ourselves in the place of these brothers and sisters and considering the difficult situation they must be going through helps us to include more details in our prayers. For example, we can ask Jehovah that the prison guards will allow them to meet with him or worship him, and that their situation will not be so difficult. Putting ourselves in their shoes encourages us to open our prayers to Jehovah more fully.
All these suggestions about being specific and thinking before we pray help us see that quality prayers take time. It's not about praying in a rush. We need to imagine and reflect on our brothers and sisters, keep up to date with their situation, as we have seen with Jehovah's Witnesses, and think about the thoughts we will share with Jehovah, just as the apostle Paul did. He had many concerns, but he still made time to pray for others.
This approach of being observant, addressing brothers and sisters by name, and making specific requests applies not only to those in prison or in dire circumstances, but to all brothers and sisters, including those in our congregation. One way to be specific is to listen: when we ask how they are, we must truly listen, patiently and respectfully.
LET'S BE BALANCED
16. What should we keep in mind when we pray? (Matthew 6:8).
When we pray, we must remember that Jehovah already knows all situations and needs, even before we mention them to him. Therefore, we do not pray to inform him or tell him how to act, but to express our love and concern for others. Praying for others shows that we care about them and that we imitate Jehovah's love, which makes him very happy.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We must remember that Jehovah knows what his servants need. What we tell him in prayer is nothing new to him. We simply pray for our brothers and sisters to show them that we truly appreciate them.
Jehovah knows every detail before we speak. That is why our prayers focus less on explaining our problems and more on expressing trust in Jehovah and showing love for our brothers and sisters.
How important it is that, through prayer, we show our love for our brothers and sisters and, above all, that we make Jehovah happy, because that is what he wants us to do. Romans 12:15 says: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” So it is vital to keep in mind what Jehovah wants us to do, especially toward our dear brothers and sisters.
The article's point about prayer in general is very interesting. It mentions that people who care about others may pray or ask Jehovah for something. We have seen a lot of this, but also, as the article points out, we pray for our brothers and sisters because we love them.
17, 18. Explain with an example why we know that our prayers do not go unnoticed by Jehovah.
We know that our prayers do not go unnoticed by Jehovah because they reflect the love we feel for our brothers, and he greatly values that love.
For example, like the case of the father who, although he is already taking good care of his sick son, feels happy when he sees that his daughter insistently asks him to help, Jehovah is also happy when we pray for others.
Even if we don't always see immediate results, Jehovah takes note of our sincere interest and love, and that shows that our prayers are indeed important to him.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
A beautiful example is that of a father with two children. The boy is sick, and the girl asks her father to please take care of him or make him feel better. Although the father is already taking very good care of him and has everything under control, he is very happy that his daughter loves her brother so much and asks him for something on his behalf. The same is true with Jehovah. He wants us to be interested in others and to pray for them. He is pleased to see that we have love for our brothers and sisters, and this shows that we are concerned not only for our own needs but also for the needs of all our brothers and sisters.
Jesus tells us in Hebrews 6:10 that Jehovah does not forget what we do for others. The fact that we have prayed for the righteous and helped them in some way is something that Jehovah remembers and values.
According to the example, the girl shows concern for her brother, and the father perceives what is in her heart and values her concern for him. The same is true with Jehovah: He already has everything under control, but when we ask him for something, he can see that we truly care for our brothers and sisters by repeatedly praying for them.
Something we should all keep in mind, and which is a very important reminder, is to include our brothers and sisters in our prayers.
WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?
In what sense do our prayers have “a powerful effect”?
Our prayers have “a powerful effect” in several ways.
First, Jehovah takes them into account and, in harmony with his will, can act in behalf of others. Although we cannot force Jehovah to act through our prayers, he considers our concerns and sometimes decides to do what we ask.
Second, praying for others changes our own feelings, as it helps us to cultivate “tender compassion,” to be more aware of the struggles of others and to feel closer to them, even motivating us to give practical help.
And third, it helps us see our problems from the right perspective, reminding us that we are not the only ones who suffer and preventing us from focusing only on ourselves.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Although we cannot force Jehovah to do something he does not want to do, we can influence him to act differently, in a way he may not have considered or to do before.
Why should we pray for groups of brothers and sisters?
We should pray for groups of brothers and sisters because many face similar difficulties, and we don't always know their individual needs. By praying for them—whether for those suffering from health problems, opposition, disasters, or those with responsibilities within the organization—we demonstrate love, support, and obedience to Jesus' command to love one another.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Because when we pray for the young, the elderly, the sick, or for different groups, we show that we love the entire community. This reminds us that our brothers and sisters also experience suffering similar to our own and helps us not to focus solely on our own problems.
What can we do when we pray for specific brothers and sisters?
When we pray for specific brothers and sisters, we can do several things. First, we can be observant, paying attention to their circumstances and needs to develop empathy. Second, we can mention them by name, even if we don't know them personally, which makes our prayers more personal. And third, we can make specific requests, thinking about their daily situation and the details that might help them. In this way, we demonstrate that our love for them is abundant and that we are genuinely interested in their well-being.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We saw three very interesting ideas: being observant, mentioning them by name, and making specific requests.
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