Comments You Will Not Hear at the 04-26-09 WT Study (February 15, 2009, pages 15-19)(PRAYERS)
Review comments will be in red
WT material from today's WT will be in black
Quotes from other sources will be in quotes boxes
w = Watchtower
g = Awake
jv = Proclaimers book
Bible translations www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible
WT publications www.strictlygenteel.co.uk
WT child abuse www.silentlambs.org
Blood issue www.ajwrb.org
United Nations http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm
Also posted on
http://exjehovahswitnessforum.yuku.com
www.jehovahs-witness.net
http://www.jwsupportforum.com/index.php
http://www.jehovahswitnessrecovery.com/
“When Jesus finished these sayings the effect was that the crowds were astounded at his way of teaching.” Matt. 7:28.
OPENING COMMENTS
How many of us have been at a district convention and had the final prayer be a summary of the "points" that goes on for 10, 15, 20 minutes depending on the status of the brother giving it?
Is the prayer being addressed to God through Christ or to the audience? Notice how the WTS says the prayers here were wrong for doing just that.
Quote
*** w54 10/15 pp. 622-623 Why Prayers Go Unanswered ***
A prayer made in the right manner is one that stems from sincerity. “Out of sincerity,” said the apostle Paul, “we are speaking.” (2 Cor. 2:17, NW) But are the high-sounding prayers that are frequently heard really “out of sincerity”? An item in the St. Petersburg Times, July 27, 1952, under the title “The Rambler,” gives a revealing answer: “Often ministers and others who pray before an audience talk to the people in the assembly room rather than to God. This was especially true at the big political conventions that were held in Chicago. At the Republican convention one minister made a good political speech under the guise of a prayer. At the Democratic convention another minister made a speech rather than a prayer.” Yes, how often the minister who delivers the grandiloquent prayer in church is talking to gain the praise of men! The words do not come from the heart; they come from a manuscript. This praying for praise was also popular in Jesus’ day. His condemnation of the practice was sharp: “When you pray, you must not be as the hypocrites; because they like to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the broad ways to be visible to men. Truly I say to you, They are having their reward in full.”—Matt. 6:5, NW.
START OF ARTICLE
Q 1, 2. Why were the crowds astounded at Jesus' way of teaching?
WE OUGHT to accept the sayings of God’s only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and apply them in our life. He certainly spoke like no other man. Why, people were amazed at the way he taught in the Sermon on the Mount!--Read Matthew 7:28, 29.
"ought"--so jws don't "want" to?
accept AND apply--what about this one. Don't jws really only love those loving them?
Quote
(Matthew 5:43-47) 43 “YOU heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 However, I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies and to pray for those persecuting YOU; 45 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. 46 For if YOU love those loving YOU, what reward do YOU have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? 47 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?
2. Jehovah’s Son did not teach as did the scribes, who based their wordy speeches on the teachings of imperfect humans. Christ taught “as a person having authority" because what he spoke came from God. (John 12:50) So let us see how Jesus' further sayings in the Sermon on the Mount can and should influence our prayers.
scribes wordy?
teachings of imperfect humans--WT publications are from imperfect men
does the WTS teach that what they speak comes from God?
Never Pray as the Hypocrites Do
Q 3. Give the essence of Jesus' words recorded at Matthew 6:5.
3. Prayer is an important part of true worship, and we ought to pray to Jehovah regularly. But our prayers should be influenced by Jesus' sayings in the Sermon on the Mount. He said: "When you pray you must not be as the hypocrites; because they like to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the broad ways to be visible to men. Truly I say to you, They are having their reward in full."--Matt. 6:5.
"ought"--want to?
regularly--how often daily, many times a day?
Pray through Jesus as mediator? 1 Tim. 2:5
Quote
*** w04 4/1 p. 32 Should We Call Upon Angels for Help? ***
However, angels do not serve as intercessors who bring human prayers to the throne of the Most High. God has determined that prayers be addressed to him in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, who said: “No matter what you ask the Father in my name he might give it to you.”—John 15:16; 1 Timothy 2:5.
Quote
*** w02 7/1 p. 8 Worship God “in Spirit” ***
Is it proper to pray to Jesus’ earthly mother, Mary, or to particular “saints,” asking them to intercede with God in one’s behalf? The Bible’s direct answer is: “There is only one mediator between God and mankind, himself a man, Christ Jesus.”—1 Timothy 2:5.
Quote
*** w75 7/1 p. 402 par. 8 Coming to the Hearer of Prayer ***
To communicate readily with the heavenly Father, one must accept Christ Jesus as Lord. Peace with God can come only through the appointed way, the ransom provision by the Lord Jesus. (Matt. 20:28; 1 Tim. 2:5, 6)
Quote
*** w75 2/15 p. 112 Insight on the News ***
As for intercession, 1 Timothy 2:5 says: “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus.” And Jesus himself said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”—John 14:6, 14.
Q 4-6. (a) Why did the Pharisees like to pray "standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the broad ways"? (b) How were such hypocrites "having their reward in full"?
4. When praying, Jesus' disciples were not to imitate such “hypocrites" as the self-righteous Pharisees, whose public display of piety was nothing more than a pretense. (Matt. 23:13-32) Those hypocrites liked to pray “standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the broad ways." Why? So as to be “visible to men." First-century Jews customarily prayed as a congregation during the time of the burnt offerings at the temple (about nine o’clock in the morning and three o'clock in the afternoon). Many resIdents of Jerusalem would pray along with a crowd of worshippers in the temple precincts. Outside that city, devout Jews often prayed twice a day while “standing in the synagogues."--Compare Luke 18:11,13.
hypocrites and self-righteous--How about the WTS association as an NGO with the UN?
http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm
There is quite a competition to qualify for the "privilege" of praying publicly in a congregation, at the circuit level, and at the district level. Why would this be since one's relationship with God is not based on this.
I was in a congregation where I decided that I would not stand because of my physical disability, I did not bow my head, and I said "amen" to myself.--I was counseled and told that it was required that I stand, bow my head, and say amen audibly. I asked for a scriptural reference and they backed off. I pointed out that we never stood before or after the book study for prayer.
standing in the synagogue--so Christians were to follow Jewish traditions?
5. Since most people were not near the temple or a synagogue for the prayers just mentioned, they might pray wherever they happened to be at those times. Some liked to Jesus condemned the hypocrites who prayed just to be seen and heard have the times for prayer catch them while they were "on the corners of the broad ways." They wanted to be "visible to men" who were passing through those intersections. The pious
hypocrites would "for a pretext make long prayers" in order to be admired by onlookers. (Luke 20:47) That is not the attitude that we should have.
So how many jws did you know that prayed wherever they happened to be but rather for all to see with their convention badges on at restaurants; jws who rarely prayed before meals unless there was an audience, or unless at a meeting, a formal meeting for field service, etc.
Who then are the pious hypocrites who for a pretext give long prayers before an audience at the KH, circuit assemblies, special assembly days, district conventions to be admired by onlookers?
6. Jesus declared that such hypocrites were "having their reward in full." They greatly desired recognition and praise from fellow humans--and that was all they would get. It would be their full reward, for Jehovah would not answer their hypocritical prayers. On the other hand, God would respond to the prayers of Christ's true followers, as shown by Jesus' further statement on this subject.
The WTS teaches that God only "responds" to the prayers of jws.
Quote
*** w63 2/15 p. 115 par. 12 Talking with God ***
Among the misconceptions prevalent in the world regarding prayer is that anyone may pray with the expectation of being heard. But not so. The privilege of prayer is only for those who have, upon the basis of accurate knowledge, made a dedication of themselves to do Jehovah’s will. It is only for those who walk with God, having met him by appointment. (Amos 3:3)
Q 7. What is meant by the counsel to pray in our "private room"?
7. 'You! however; when you pray, go into your private room and, after shutting your door; pray to your Father who is in secret; then your Father who looks on in secret will repay you." (Matt. 6:6) Jesus' admonition to pray in a private room after shutting the door did not mean that someone could not represent a congregation in prayer. This counsel was meant to discourage public prayer that was offered to call attention to the one praying and to elicit praise from others. We should remember this if we are privileged to represent God's people in public prayer. Let us also comply with Jesus' further admonition respecting prayer.
But who decides who prays publicly at the KH, the BOE and what is the criteria besides male and baptized and not under "restrictions." I was at a book study once where the conductor asked 1) unbaptized male to pray and 2) asked a baptized male on restrictions to pray...thinking he was encouraging them. It outraged the women there.
God's people = only jws
Q 8. According to Matthew 6:7, what abuse of prayer should we avoid?
8 "When praying, do not say the same things over and over again, just as the people of the nations do, for they imagine they will get a hearing for their use of many words." (Matt. 6:7) Jesus thus cited another abuse of prayer--repetition. He did not mean that we should never repeat heartfelt pleas and expressions of thanksgiving in prayer. In the garden of Gethsemane on the night before he died, Jesus repeatedly used "the same
word" in prayer.--Mark 14:32-39.
repetition--have you found that jws use certain phrases from brother to brother, even imitating the phraseology of COs and DOs and brothers who pray at conventions? I did. Partly because they had about 3 minutes notice before the meeting that they were giving the prayer. I do not of some congregations that scheduled in advance on the schedules who was giving the prayer...but that was rare.
Have you seen how they are sure to thank the FDS in every prayer but not Jesus?
Q 9, 10. In what sense should we not say repetitious prayers?
9 It would be wrong for us to mimic the repetitious prayers of "people of the nations." "Over and over again," they repeat memorized phrases that include many unnecessary words. It did worshippers of Baal no good to call upon the name of that false god "from morning till noon, saying: 'a Baal, answer us!'" (1 Ki. 18:26) Millions today offer wordy, repetitious prayers, thinking in vain that they "will get a hearing." But Jesus helps us to realize that the "use of many words" in long and repetitious prayers is of no value from Jehovah's standpoint. Jesus further said:
10 "So, do not make yourselves like them, for God your Father knows what things you are needing before ever you ask him" (Matt. 6:
with the thought that repetition is necessary to tell God about our needs. When we pray, we should remember that we are addressing the One who 'knows what we need before ever we ask him."
Of course, jws don't mimic prayers, wrong! (see above)
people of the nations = non jws, millions today (all but the 7 million jws)
Use of many words = 10 to 15 minute closing prayers at conventions
how many jws have been to any churches and listened to their prayers?
the Gentiles = all non-jws
Q 11. What should we remember if we are privileged to offer public prayer?
11 Jesus' sayings about unacceptable prayers should remind us that God is not impressed by high-sounding speech and superfluous words. We should also realize that public prayer is not an occasion to try to impress listeners or cause them to wonder how long it will be before we say "Amen." Using prayer to make announcements or to counsel the audience would also be out of harmony with the spirit of Jesus’ sayings in the Sermon on the Mount.
So what is high-sounding speech, how many jws have even heard the day to day prayers of non-jw Christians?
What would be considered superfluous words?
"public prayer is not an occasion to...cause them to wonder how long it will be before we say Amen" --every convention I went to I wondered when the last prayer was going to end. In 1963, I was about 11, and Fred Franz gave the closing prayer......about 20 minutes and he had already gone over with the talk. We left before the prayer started and we getting in the car as he was still continuing. My parents said, "why does he always do that, and why do they let him?" Can any of us remember those prayers?
Who has been at a meeting where the brother praying used it as a means to make announcements or to counsel the audience? Too many times;
I have to admit that sometimes it was a rogue brother who had not cleared it with the BOE, but he was never counseled because he'd do it again.
Closing prayers that are reviews of the convention--are they remembering that they are addressing the One who knows all things and needs no
counsel or reminder?
Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray
Q 12. How would you explain the significance of the request "let your name be sanctified"?
12. Although Jesus warned against abusing the grand privilege of prayer, he did teach his disciples how to pray. (Read Matthew 6:9-13.) The model prayer is not to be memorized in order to be recited over and over again. Instead, it furnishes a pattern for our own prayers. For instance, Jesus put God first with the opening words: "Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified." (Matt. 6:9) We properly address Jehovah as "our Father" because he is our Creator, who dwells "in the heavens," far beyond the earth. (Deut. 32:6; 2 Chron. 6:21; Acts 17:24, 28) Use of the plural term "our" should remind us that our fellow believers also have a close relationship with God. "Let your name be sanctified" is a petition that Jehovah take action to sanctify himself by clearing his name of all the reproach that has been heaped upon it since the rebellion in Eden. In answer to that prayer, Jehovah will remove wickedness from the earth, thus sanctifying himself.--Ezek. 36:23.
Lord's prayer not to be memorized--the first thing I ever memorized as a jw child was the Lord's prayer, as did my little jw companions. How many
jws could benefit from having at least memorized that prayer and not the trite phrases used by jws.
Can the other sheep really properly address God as Father if they will not be "sons of God" until the end of the 1,000 year reign?
fellow believers--only jws
relationship with God--where's Jesus?
Can a person's name be cleared by using it or advertising it or rather by what they do with their lives--can a pedophile use "Jehovah" in his speech and be clearing God's name through his perverted actions?
remove wickedness--actually every person who is not a baptized jw, including babies and children. Wicked = all nonjws
Q 13. (a) How will the request "let your kingdom come" be fulfilled? (b) What will the doing of God's will on earth involve?
13. "Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth." (Matt. 6: 10) In connection with this request in the model prayer, we should remember that the "kingdom" is the heavenly Messianic government in the hands of Christ and the resurrected "holy ones" associated with him. (Dan. 7:13, 14, 18; Isa. 9: 6,7) Praying for it to "come" is a request that God's Kingdom come against all earthly opposers of
divine rulership. That will soon occur, paving the way for a global paradise of righteousness, peace, and prosperity. (Ps. 72: 1-15; Dan. 2:44; 2 Pet. 3:13) Jehovah's will is being done in heaven, and asking that it take place on earth is a plea that God carry out his purposes toward our planet, including the removal of his opposers today as he did in ancient times.--Read Psalm 83:1, 2, 13-18.
Kingdom come: 1874, 1878, 1914, 1915
Quote
*** jv chap. 28 pp. 631-632 Testing and Sifting From Within ***
involved the arrangement that God instituted in ancient Israel for a Jubilee, a year of release, every 50th year. This came after a series of seven 7-year periods, each of which ended with a sabbath year. During the Jubilee year, Hebrew slaves were freed and hereditary land possessions that had been sold were restored. (Lev. 25:8-10) Calculations based on this cycle of years led to the conclusion that perhaps a greater Jubilee for all the earth had begun in the autumn of 1874, that evidently the Lord had returned in that year and was invisibly present, and that “the times of restitution of all things” had arrived.—Acts 3:19-21, KJ.
Based on the premise that events of the first century might find parallels in related events later, they also concluded that if Jesus’ baptism and anointing in the autumn of 29 C.E. paralleled the beginning of an invisible presence in 1874, then his riding into Jerusalem as King in the spring of 33 C.E. would point to the spring of 1878 as the time when he would assume his power as heavenly King. They also thought they would be given their heavenly reward at that time. When that did not occur, they concluded that since Jesus’ anointed followers were to share with him in the Kingdom, the resurrection to spirit life of those already sleeping in death began then. It was also reasoned that the end of God’s special favor to natural Israel down to 36 C.E. might point to 1881 as the time when the special opportunity to become part of spiritual Israel would close.
all opposers...earthly opposers--all nonjws, including men, women and children
SOON
Q 14. Why is it fitting to ask for "our bread for this day"?
14. "Give us today our bread for this day.” (Matt. 6:11; Luke 11:3) By making this prayerful request, we are asking God to provide necessary food "for this day." This indicates that we have faith in Jehovah's ability to care for our needs on a daily basis. It is not a prayer for surplus provisions. This request for our daily needs may remind us that God commanded the Israelites to gather manna "each his amount day for day."--Ex. 16:4.
care for daily needs--so can jws expect God to provide their food today? jws have never starved? can jws expect to be literally fed each day as the Israelites were?
Q 15. Explain what is meant by the request" forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."
15 The next request in the model prayer turns our attention to something we need to do. Jesus said: "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." (Matt. 6: 12) Luke's Gospel shows that these "debts" are "sins." (Luke 11:4) Only if we already "have forgiven" those sinning against us may we expect forgiveness from Jehovah. (Read Matthew 6:14, 15.) We should forgive others freely.--Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13.
So do jws forgive the sins of those who have sinned against them? = disfellowshipping
Do they do this "freely" or can only the elders decide who is repentant and qualified to be forgiven?
Q 16. How are we to understand the requests regarding temptation and deliverance from the wicked one?
16 "Do not bring us into temptation! but deliver us from the wicked one.” (Matt. 6:13) How are we to understand these two related requests in Jesus' model prayer? One thing is certain: Jehovah does not tempt us to commit sin. (Read James 1:13.) Satan--"the wicked one"--is the real "Tempter." (Matt. 4:3) However, the Bible speaks of God as doing things that he is merely permitting. (Ruth 1: 20, 21; Eccl. 11:5) Therefore, "do
not bring us into temptation" is a petition that Jehovah not permit us to succumb when we are tempted to disobey him. Finally, the plea "deliver us from the wicked one" is a request that Jehovah not allow Satan to overcome us. And we can be confident that 'God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.'--Read 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Are they saying then that God permits the rape of children? The WTS teaches that the children of non-jws will descend into eternal destruction because of the sins of their parents.
'Keep On Asking, Seeking, Knocking'
Q 17, 18. What does it mean to 'keep on asking, seeking, and knocking'?
17. The apostle Paul urged fellow believers: "Persevere in prayer." (Rom. 12:12) Jesus made a powerful point along those lines when he declared: "Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you. For everyone asking receives! and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be opened." (Matt. 7: 7,
for anything that is in harmony with God's will. In keeping with Jesus' words, the apostle John wrote: "This is the confidence that we have toward [God], that, no matter what it is that we ask according to his will, he hears us." – 1 John 5:14.
keep asking--how often, and when does it become repetitious?
harmony with God's or the WTS will?
18. Jesus' counsel to 'keep on asking and seeking' means that we should pray earnestly and not give up. It is also necessary for us to "keep on knocking" to gain access to the Kingdom and enjoy its blessings, benefits, and rewards. But can we be confident that God will answer our prayers? Yes, we can if we are faithful to Jehovah, for Christ said: "Everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone
knocking it will be opened." Many experiences enjoyed by Jehovah's servants prove that God truly is the "Hearer of prayer." --Ps. 65:2.
how does a jw know when God has answered their prayer? How long must they wait, how often must they ask?
Whose prayers does God hear per the WTS?
Quote
*** g02 9/8 p. 26 Prayers That Are Heard by God ***
Even if our prayers seem to go unanswered, this does not mean that God did not hear them. Prayers must also be offered in the name of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. (John 14:6) Does this mean that our prayers are heard by Jesus first and that he relays the message to God? No.
Q 19, 20. In view of Jesus' words recorded at Matthew 7:9-11, how is Jehovah like a loving father?
19. Jesus likened God to a loving father who provides good things for his offspring. Imagine that you were present for the Sermon on the Mount and heard Jesus say: " Who is the man among you whom his son asks for bread--he will not hand him a stone, will he? Or, perhaps, he will ask for a fish--he will not hand him a serpent, will he? Therefore, if you, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will your Father who is in the heavens give good things to those asking him?" --Matt. 7:9-11.
Is God really a loving father now to the other sheep? Only through Jesus..........
Quote
*** w95 8/1 p. 13 par. 19 Jehovah—A God Who Teaches ***Even though the other sheep are not directly included among the “sons” spoken of at Isaiah 54:13, they are blessed with being taught by Jehovah. Therefore, they properly address God as “Father” because he will, in effect, be their Grandfather through the “Eternal Father,” Jesus Christ.—Matthew 6:9; Isaiah 9:6.
Quote
*** w04 11/1 p. 13 par. 17 Happy Servants of Jehovah ***The peaceable “other sheep” serve Jehovah under the Fine Shepherd, Christ Jesus, who becomes their “Eternal Father.” (John 10:14, 16; Isaiah 9:6) Those who successfully pass the final test after the Millennial Reign of Christ will be adopted as Jehovah’s earthly sons and “have the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8:21; Revelation 20:7, 9)
20. A human father, although comparatively "wicked" because of inherited sin, has natural affection for his offspring. He would not deceive his child but would strive to provide him with "good gifts." With a fatherly attitude toward us, our loving heavenly Father provides "good things," such as his holy spirit. (Luke 11:13) It can strengthen us to render acceptable service to Jehovah, the Provider of "every good gift and every perfect present."--Jas.1:17.
So in what way to humans on earth have access to holy spirit per the WTS? Can they understand the scriptures by means of it or only through the WTS/GB/FDS?
Quote
*** w06 3/15 p. 25 par. 16 “Each One Will Carry His Own Load” ***
As we talk to the true God about our concerns and seek his guidance, holy spirit may help us better understand the scriptures that we are considering and bring to mind those we may have overlooked.
YET ONLY THROUGH FDS (WTS)
Quote
*** w94 10/1 p. 8 The Bible—A Book Meant to Be Understood ***
Even as Bible prophecy pointed forward to the Messiah, it also directs us to the close-knit body of anointed Christian Witnesses that now serve as the faithful and discreet slave. It helps us to understand the Word of God. All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the “greatly diversified wisdom of God” can become known only through Jehovah’s channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave.—John
6:68.
Continue to Benefit From Jesus' Sayings
21, 22. What is noteworthy about the Sermon on the Mount, and how do you feel about these sayings of Jesus?
21. The Sermon on the Mount was indeed the greatest discourse ever given on earth. It is remarkable for its spiritual content and clarity. As shown by the points drawn from it in this series of articles, we can benefit greatly if we apply the counsel that this sermon contains. These sayings of Jesus can improve our life now and give us the hope of a happy future.
So can the Sermon on the Mount be understood without the FDS?
22. In these articles, we have examined only a few of the spiritual gems in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. No wonder those who heard his discourse "were astounded at his way of teaching." (Matt. 7:28) That will undoubtedly be our reaction too when we fill our minds and hearts with these and other priceless sayings of the Great Teacher, Jesus Christ.
Does the spiritual food come from God or only through the WTS/FDS?
What Are Your Answers?
What did Jesus say about hypocritical prayers?
Why should we avoid repetitious wording when we pray?
Jesus’ model prayer contains what requests?
How can we ‘keep on asking, seeking and knocking’?
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
Think back on the so-called superior prayers in the WT organization...the long ones, the wordy ones, the ones directed to the human audience and not God, the ones used to chastise "sinners" in the audience. How many jws have even heard a prayer in the average church?
Next week, They "Keep Following the Lamb," which is really an article about the WTS/GB/FDS not Jesus.
The Christ = 144,001?
Quote
The word Christ signifies anointed. Anointing means designation to official position in God’s arrangement. The Christ is the instrument or channel for the blessing of mankind. The Christ is composed of Jesus, the great and mighty head, and 144,000 members. --The Harp of God, 1921, p 187
Love, Blondie
