Yellow: Direct Response
Light Yellow: Additional Response
Celeste: Additional Points
“I call with all my heart. Answer me, O LORD” (Ps. 119:145).
1, 2. (a) What can make our prayers monotonous or superficial? (b) How do we know that Jehovah pays attention to everything we say to him?
Have you ever felt that your sentences have become monotonous or superficial? That's something that can happen to all of us. Perhaps the hustle and bustle of life leads us to offer only brief prayers. Or perhaps we feel unworthy to tell Jehovah everything we feel.
2 The Bible assures us that what matters most to Jehovah is that we speak to him from the heart and with humility in our prayers. So we shouldn't worry about using elegant words or expressing ourselves perfectly. He hears “the plea of the meek.” (Ps. 10:17). She pays attention to everything we say because she truly cares about us. (Ps. 139:1-3).
3. What questions will we answer in this article?
3 In this article we will answer the following questions: Why should we not be afraid to tell Jehovah our thoughts and feelings?, What can we do to make our prayers deeper?, How do the prayers we find in the Bible help us improve our own? and What can we do if we are so distressed that we cannot find the words to express what we feel?
DO NOT BE AFRAID TO PRAY TO JEHOVAH
4. What will help us to open our hearts to Jehovah? (Psalm 119:145)
4 It will be easier for us to tell Jehovah our thoughts and feelings if we see him as a faithful friend who wants what is best for us. Let's consider the writer of Psalm 119, who unfortunately went through many trials. For example, some people told terrible lies about him (Psalm 119:23, 69, 78). He also had to bear his own imperfections (Psalm 119:5). But he sought to have a close relationship with God, so he wasn't afraid to open his heart to Him (read Psalm 119:145).
5. Why shouldn't we let negative feelings stop us from praying? Give an example.
5 Jehovah wants even those who have committed serious sins to pray to him. (Isaiah 55:6, 7). So we must not let negative feelings stop us from doing it. To understand this better, think of an airplane pilot who has made a mistake or deviated from their course. They know they can contact air traffic control for help. Do you think they would decide not to because they might be embarrassed? Not at all! Similarly, even if we sometimes commit a sin or stray from our path, we should not feel afraid or ashamed to talk to Jehovah. (Ps. 119:25, 176).
HOW YOU CAN MAKE DEEPER PRAYERS
6, 7. What will help us to make deeper sentences? Give an example (see also the note).
6 When we speak to Jehovah with complete candor about our innermost thoughts and feelings, we draw closer to him. Let's see what can help us to make deeper prayers.
7 Let us reflect on Jehovah's qualities. The more we reflect on them, the easier it will be to express ourselves openly. (Psalm 145:8, 9, 18) That is what Kristine, a sister who had an abusive father, did. She relates: “Seeing Jehovah as a father made it very difficult for me to talk to him. I felt that my imperfections would cause him to distance himself from me.” What quality of God helped her? She explains: “Jehovah’s loyal love makes me feel secure. I know that he will always hold my hand and that if I fall, he will lovingly lift me up. Meditating on his love helps me to tell him both my greatest joys and my deepest sorrows.”
8, 9. What are some benefits of thinking in advance about what to say to Jehovah? Give an example.
8 Let us think beforehand about what to say to him. Before praying, we can ask ourselves questions such as these: “What problems am I struggling with now? Is there anyone I have not forgiven? Has a situation recently arisen in which I need Jehovah’s help?” (2 Kings 19:15-19). We can also follow Jesus’ example and ask for things related to Jehovah’s name, his Kingdom, and his will. (Matt. 6:9, 10)
9 A sister named Aliska found it very difficult to pray when she learned that her husband had terminal brain cancer. She relates: “I was so distressed that I couldn’t think clearly and didn’t know what to say.” What has helped her? She explains: “Before I begin, I take a few moments to organize my thoughts. This has helped me to avoid focusing my prayers solely on myself and my problems, and to keep my mind more centered and calm when I speak to Jehovah.”.
10. Why is it good for us to take time to pray? (See also the images.)
10 Let us take our time to pray. It is true that short prayers can bring us closer to Jehovah; but, if we pray longer prayers, we are more likely to tell him in more detail everything we feel. Aliska's husband, Elijah, says: “I try to pray many times a day, and I've found that when I talk to Jehovah for a long time, I feel closer to him. He's never looking at the clock, so I know I can keep talking for a while.” Why not give it a try? Find a time and place where you can pray at length, without distractions, perhaps even out loud, and make it a habit.
ILLUSTRATION
Image series: 1. Before sunrise, a brother meditates, sitting at his desk with an open Bible and a cup of coffee. 2. The sun has risen, and the brother is still sitting at his desk, praying at length.
Find a time and place where you can pray at length. (See paragraph 10.)
MEDITATE ON THE PRAYERS OF BIBLICAL CHARACTERS
11. How does meditating on the prayers of some of Jehovah’s servants from Bible times help us? (See also the box “Do You Identify?”)
11 Perhaps it will help you to meditate on what some of Jehovah's servants of Bible times said in their heartfelt prayers and songs of praise. Paying attention to how they expressed themselves can give you ideas on how to do the same. You might discover expressions you can use to praise Jehovah. And you may well find prayers you identify with.
12. What questions can we ask ourselves when reading a sentence?
12 When you read a sentence from the Bible, ask yourself: “Who said those words? What were their circumstances? Am I going through a similar situation? What lessons can I learn?” Sure, you might have to do a little research to find the answers, but it will be worth it. Let's look at some examples.
13. What is one lesson we learn from Hannah's prayer? (1 Samuel 1:10, 11; see also the picture.)
13 (Read 1 Samuel 1:10, 11). When Hannah prayed this prayer, she had two serious problems: she was barren, and Elkanah's other wife was making her life miserable (1 Sam. 1:4-7). If you are going through a problem that won't go away, what can you learn from Hannah's prayer? She took the time to tell Jehovah everything that was troubling her, and afterward she felt much better (1 Sam. 1:12, 18). Do the same and “throw your burden on Jehovah,” that is, explain to him what your worries are and how they make you feel. (Ps. 55:22).
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. Hannah, filled with grief, looks away as Elkanah plays with two of his sons. 2. Peninnah smiles as she cradles her newborn son in her arms. 3. Hannah prays fervently through her tears. 4. High Priest Eli sits with his arms crossed, watching Hannah.
Hannah opened her heart to Jehovah and told him how bad she felt about being barren and about the constant mockery from Elkanah's other wife. (See paragraph 13.)
14. a) What other lesson do we learn from Hannah's example? b) How can meditating on the Bible enrich our prayers? (See footnote.)
14 A few years after her son Samuel was born, Hannah took him to High Priest Eli (1 Sam. 1:24-28). In a heartfelt prayer, she thanked Jehovah because she had seen that he protects and cares for his loyal servants (1 Sam. 2:1, 8, 9). Her problems may not have disappeared, but she focused on how Jehovah had blessed her. The lesson? We will find it easier to cope with difficulties if we focus on how Jehovah has supported us.
15. What do we learn from Jeremiah's prayer? (Jeremiah 12:1).
15 (Read Jeremiah 12:1). At some point in his life, the prophet Jeremiah felt very discouraged because he saw that the wicked prospered and that the Israelites mocked him (Jer. 20:7, 8). It is easy to empathize with him because people also mock us, and it seems that those who do bad things enjoy life. Notice that, although Jeremiah expressed his frustration, he never accused God of being unjust. On the contrary, as he saw how God disciplined his rebellious people, he became increasingly convinced that Jehovah acts justly. (Jer. 32:19). We too can do the same and tell Jehovah our frustrations, with the confidence that he will right the wrongs in due time.
16. What do we learn from the prayer of an exiled Levite? (Psalm 42:1-4; see also the pictures.)
16 (Read Psalm 42:1-4). In this song, a Levite expressed how he felt because he was in exile and could not reunite with his brothers. We may feel like him if we are unable to leave our homes or are imprisoned for our faith. In such circumstances, our emotions may be a rollercoaster, but the best thing to do is talk to Jehovah about how we feel. That will help us better understand our feelings and see things differently. For example, the Levite realized that he would have new opportunities to praise God (Psalm 42:5). He also meditated on the fact that Jehovah was watching over him. (Ps. 42:8). Opening our hearts to Jehovah can help us analyze our feelings, regain balance, and have the strength to endure.
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. A Levite prays intensely in a secluded place. 2. A brother in a hospital bed prays to Jehovah with an open Bible in his lap.
The Levite who wrote Psalm 42 opened his heart to God. If we tell Jehovah how we feel, it will be easier to see things from a different perspective. (See paragraph 16.)
17. (a) What do we learn from Jonah’s prayer? (Jonah 2:1, 2) (b) How can some expressions in the Psalms help us when we are going through difficult times? (See footnote.)
17 (Read Jonah 2:1, 2). The prophet Jonah made this prayer while he was in the belly of a great fish. Although he had disobeyed Jehovah, he was sure that God would hear his voice. In his plea he used many expressions found in the Psalms, so he certainly knew them very well. Remembering them and meditating on them convinced him that Jehovah would help him. Similarly, if we make an effort to memorize biblical texts, they may come to mind and comfort us when we are praying during difficult times.
KEEP PRAYING TO JEHOVAH TO DRAW CLOSER TO HIM
18, 19. How does Romans 8:26, 27 help us if we cannot find the words to express to Jehovah what we feel? Give an example.
18 (Read Romans 8:26, 27). Sometimes we may be so distressed that we can't find the words to express what we feel. But in those moments, the Holy Spirit comes to our aid and intercedes for us. And what does that mean? Through his spirit, Jehovah saw to it that many prayers were recorded in the Bible. So, when we are unable to express clearly what we think, Jehovah can accept some of those requests as if we had made them ourselves, and then answer them.
19 Keeping this in mind was a great help to a Russian sister named Elena, who was arrested for praying and reading the Bible. She was so distressed that she found it difficult to pray. She explains: “I remembered that if I feel overwhelmed by a situation and don’t know what to pray for, Jehovah can accept the prayers of his other servants recorded in the Bible as if they were my own.” She added: “That gave me great comfort during those very difficult times.”
20. What will help us prepare our minds to pray when we are under a lot of stress?
20 When we are under a lot of stress, it can be difficult to stay focused while we pray. To prepare our minds, we can listen to the audio recordings of the Psalms or do as King David did and write down what we feel. (Psalms 18, 34, 142 and headings). Of course, since we are all very different, each Christian can look for the method that is most effective for them when preparing to pray. (Psalm 141:2). Which one works best for you?
21. Why can we open our hearts to Jehovah?
21 It is comforting to know that Jehovah understands our feelings even before we tell him (Ps. 139:4). But he loves to hear from us and to see that we trust in him. So let us not hesitate to pray to our Heavenly Father. Let us use expressions and ideas from the prayers we find in His Word. Let us open our hearts to him and share our sorrows and joys with him. Jehovah is a true friend and will always be by our side.
WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?
What will help us not to be afraid to pray to Jehovah?
It will help us not to be afraid to tell Jehovah our thoughts and feelings if we see him as a faithful friend who wants what is best for us. Jehovah wants even those who have committed serious sins to pray to him. So we should not let negative feelings stop us from doing so.
What can we do to make our prayers deeper?
When we speak to Jehovah openly about our innermost thoughts and feelings, we draw closer to him. Let us reflect on Jehovah’s qualities. The more we reflect on them, the easier it will be to express ourselves openly.
How does meditating on the prayers of biblical figures benefit us?
Meditating on how some Bible characters expressed themselves can give us ideas on how to do the same. We may discover expressions we can use to praise Jehovah, and we are likely to find prayers with which we can identify.
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