yeah, i would love to see the WT article this came from
Pray silently?!? What the heck is this about?
by A-Team 18 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Layla33
I was raised a JW my entire life as well, as well as family members very prominent in the cult and I have heard it over and over again. I recall at least two talks, one at a convention where it was explicitly repeated more than once. Trust me, this is not something that was made up, even as silly as it sounds.
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LayingLow
I also believed this as well as those around me. I can not recall whether I ever read it in publications, or whether I only heard it from others. It was definitely something there was a consensus about. I think the actual instruction not to pray aloud about personal weaknesses was something I never heard explicitly, but it is the inference many made from the idea that Satan could hear their verbal prayers. I think its the over thinking thing. They think about Satan listening and so they think, "well how can I get around him hearing me, oh, I can pray silently". And then it turns into an instruction next thing you know. Over-thinking in the less important things, under-thinking in the more important.
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inkling
Ok, this is the only related quote I could find. Nothing more specific...
*** w62 7/1 p. 415 Questions From Readers ***
? Can Satan and his demons read our minds?—M. C., United States.
There is nothing in the Scriptures to indicate that Satan and his demons can read our minds or thoughts. Rather, the implication of the Scriptures is that only God can read the mind of man: “Mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is.” Further we are told regarding God: “There is not a creation that is not manifest to his sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of him with whom we have an accounting.”—1 Sam. 16:7; Heb. 4:13.
However, most likely the demons can, because of higher intelligence and better powers of observation, note what is in the mind of man because of his actions and facial expressions. Thus when a man goes contrary to Matthew 5:28 it may be apparent on his face, and so one could tell what is in his mind even though being unable to read it. So they may take advantage of weaknesses that one makes evident and tempt him to sin.
This underscores the importance of right thinking and dependence upon Jehovah. When wrong thoughts enter the mind they should be rejected at once; they should not be entertained, opening the way to sin. (Jas. 1:14, 15) Rather, draw close to God through prayer and meditation on his Word, because in this will be found protection against wrong desires and against the temptations of the Devil and his demons.—Jas. 4:7, 8; Phil. 4:8, 9.
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Roddy
I was just reading MemphisBelle's account, and she mentions that the WT says that one is suppose to pray silently so Satan wouldn't be able to mess up God's plans. Um, correct me if I am wrong, since I have never been, or will never be a JW....but what the heck kind of logic is this?!? (especially if you read what the Bible says about prayer.)
I've heard about this too. I heard it from a brother - not from any publication or public meeting. The brother said that if you pray out loud about what's bothering you or what's in your heart or stuff like that you are allowing Satan and his demons to evesdrop on your most secret thoughts and feelings. And they could use that against you.
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Roddy
Ok, this is the only related quote I could find. Nothing more specific...
*** w62 7/1 p. 415 Questions From Readers ***
? Can Satan and his demons read our minds?—M. C., United States.
There is nothing in the Scriptures to indicate that Satan and his demons can read our minds or thoughts. Rather, the implication of the Scriptures is that only God can read the mind of man: “Mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is.” Further we are told regarding God: “There is not a creation that is not manifest to his sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of him with whom we have an accounting.”—1 Sam. 16:7; Heb. 4:13.
However, most likely the demons can, because of higher intelligence and better powers of observation, note what is in the mind of man because of his actions and facial expressions. Thus when a man goes contrary to Matthew 5:28 it may be apparent on his face, and so one could tell what is in his mind even though being unable to read it. So they may take advantage of weaknesses that one makes evident and tempt him to sin.
This underscores the importance of right thinking and dependence upon Jehovah. When wrong thoughts enter the mind they should be rejected at once; they should not be entertained, opening the way to sin. (Jas. 1:14, 15) Rather, draw close to God through prayer and meditation on his Word, because in this will be found protection against wrong desires and against the temptations of the Devil and his demons.—Jas. 4:7, 8; Phil. 4:8, 9.
Great find, Inkling. This certainly explains a few JW superstitions.
Do you think the writer of this article had too much time on his hands when he was putting this article together?
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sacrebleu
I was taught that too and it did have a basis in Scripture.
Someone (can't remember who) prayed and satan prevented the prayer from being answered in a timely manner. If it wasn't so late I'd call my daughter. She always know where most Scriptures are. I tried to find it but haven't yet.
Sorry. I will keep looking.
sacrebleu
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heathen
My experience is that other people will use anything they can find to harass and embarrass you so you probably are better off if you pray to try and reach a complete meditation state.Don't forget that evil people are used by demons .
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sacrebleu
I found the verses. Daniel 10:12 & 13 tells it like this in the Living Bible...
The angel says to Daniel that his request was heard in heaven on the first day but the Evil spirit blocked the angels path or something like that. How in the *&&^% do you cut and paste on here anyway?????
Anyhow, that's the Scripture they always used to tell me to pray silently about some things. I've asked other pastors about it and some believe that way too. Who knows?
sacrebleu