by LexWatson 21 Replies latest jw friends
I'd enjoy reading your comments about prayer.
The WT CLUB says it is inappropriate to pray for those who are disfellowshipped...and we should obey them lest we be shunned and not be part of the organization Jehovah is using.
However The BIBLE tells me we should even pray for our enemies! Jesus set the example by even praying for those who were torturing him and murdering him. "Father forgive them!"
Now - I'd say that prayer is between you and God. Period. But while a witness, I was told how to pray and who to pray for, when to pray and how to look while I prayed. Prayer was not for those non Witnesses and that includes df'd people because after all, they don't amount to much - not even as much as a worldly person. The hypocrisy of going door to door to 'save' people but reserving prayer only for JW's, is pathetic. sammieswife.
Just to be technically correct in reproducing what the "Society" say.
WT Dec 1st 01 "Questions From Readers"
Since the person is no longer in the congregation, any change in heart and attitude may be observed first by those close to him, such as a marriage mate or family members. Those observing such changes may conclude that the transgressor did not commit a sin that incurs death. They may be moved to pray that he may draw strength from God’s inspired Word and that Jehovah will act toward the sinner in harmony with His will.—Psalm 44:21; Ecclesiastes 12:14.
While some may be in a position to observe sufficient evidence to believe that the sinner has repented, this may not be the case with the congregation in general. They would be puzzled, troubled, even stumbled if they were to hear someone praying publicly about the erring one. For this reason, those who feel moved to pray about the sinner should do so only in private, leaving any further development in the matter in the hands of the responsible elders in the congregation."
However, it is generally held, even now, that one does not pray for the disfellowshipped . They say that they are worse than worldly people since they have "returned to the low sink of debauchery"
I recall talking to a distessed "sister" who had a d'f' daughter and I told her that her prayers were between her and God alone and no man could tell her what to say
I really appreciate it when people on here mention these kind of little details. These are the things we all just took for granted as "truth" and all put together these details make up the fabric of the religion's "body of truth".
When I was totally "in" and active I may not have dwelt much on these details, but looking at them objectively now, they make me feel more and more certain that JW's have a destructive belief system.
I remember when I first heard this particular issue and feeling sort of sad for the DF'd ones. However, I followed the rule and did not pray for DF'd ones I knew. I allowed them to control me to the point of sublimating my natural instincts of concern for others. How did I not put it all together for so long?
WT Dec 1st 01 "Questions From Readers": They would be puzzled, troubled, even stumbled if they were to hear someone praying publicly about the erring one. For this reason, those who feel moved to pray about the sinner should do so only in private, leaving any further development in the matter in the hands of the responsible elders in the congregation."
As per usual, the uh 'advise' from the morons at the top totally contradicts what the bible says on the matter:
Matthew 5:43-48 "YOU heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ However, I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies and to pray for those persecuting YOU; that YOU may prove yourselves sons of YOUR Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous. For if YOU love those loving YOU, what reward do YOU have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? And if YOU greet YOUR brothers only, what extraordinary thing are YOU doing? Are not also the people of the nations doing the same thing?
Luke 6:27-28 . . ."But I say to YOU who are listening, Continue to love YOUR enemies, to do good to those hating YOU, 28 to bless those cursing YOU, to pray for those who are insulting YOU.. . .
Yet another fine example that the WTS does not practice what the bible preaches.
The dubs can't exert themselves that much, to them the DFed are unrepentant sinners that have resisted the Holy Spirit and that's all they know. Too judgemental if you are asking me. A lot more Christian understanding and insight are needed to deal correctly with the weak and battered vessels known as humans. Eg disrupting families won't help much in restoring the "sinner".
What I don't understand is how from the very pages of what the WT says it's ok to pray for the disfellowshipped ones but then tel people not to? Ones should even pray in public about this, and you should in the congo. You don't have to mention the person by name, but you could certainly pray for anyone who needs help or who has sinned.
I pray when I sin, I would be glad to have people pray to Jehovah in my behalf.
My dad was talking to me the other day (OMG a big no no I'm DF'd). I'm so glad he doesn't care, he's talked to me many times about sheperding sheep because he did that on his farm after he came back from Vietnam. He's told me time and time again that sheep can't just be left alone to figure it out, as the sheperd YOU'RE responsible for their well being and you should always watch them.
Anyway, he was talking to me told my my best friends Dad left our congregation to go to his sons Congregation (his son my best friend). I asked my Dad why and my Dad told me it's hard on him because of our Elders and the way they sometimes act. All his sons are disfellowshipped except for Dan. My dad also told me he is upset about what I am going thru, our families are very close and he doesn't understand after I have been gone more than a year how the elders can still honestly think I need more time. I remember him almost crying when he was praying sometimes at my old KH. It just meant a lot to me when my Dad told me that. Cause being DF'd you know some of the congo forgets you even exist. I went to that congregation 25 years. My best friend Dan is pretty cool too. I have talked to him since I was DF'd, considering his brothers were all DF'd he said me and him are brothers so talking is no big deal.
Anyway, yeah, it's crazy.
Jesus said to go into a private place and pray . Prayer is just that, a private conversation with God. No one can tell you who or what to pray about. It is God who chooses to listen to your prayer and deals with you in his own way. No one else can or should be involved.
No prayer for the disfellowshipped? Would this be inappropriate then?
Dear Jehovah,
I was hoping that you could bless the disfellowshiped people to see that they are in a very fortunate situation. They are on the verge of escaping a cult that has controlled their minds and damaged them emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially for many years. Please help them to see that trying to get reinstated into that hateful organization is not in their best interest. Also, Jehovah, please allow these blessed souls to realize that they are uniquely qualified to help other people escape the hypocritical watchtower organization and to warn those who may be in danger of going in. But most of all, thank you that there is a way to escape the quicksand of sewer water known as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
Tom
Actually I have been pretty damaged by this very evil unmerciful unchristian arrogant hypocritical unforgiving teaching.
If I had belonged to another church I would have received counselling and prayer maybe, help and assistance, love bombing, visits, letters of encouragement and love, the list goes on and on what good people would have done for me to return me to the Lord's loving fold.
Anewme
