by NJ501 15 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
When I hear prayers given by brothers why do they only pray for other JWs not all people??
I remember hearing a comment from my mother saying 4000 JWs are affected by this...And I'm thinking yes that is sad but what about the tens of thousands other people affected? Why only think about them?
Too me it just doesn't seem right to just pray for JWs but to pray for all victims. I now pray all people. Is this wrong? Should you only pray for people of your own faith?
This comes to mind-
45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?…
Praying for all is what most Christians find appropriate and loving. jw's aren't really in that class though are they?
Thanks Carla, that makes a lot of sense.
During a disaster several yrs ago I prayed and said something to this effect:
"Jehovah, while we are concerned for our Brothers we are really concerned for ALL the people affected."
Received several comments after that prayer. Words like that had never been spoken in that building before!
...why do they only pray for other JWs not all people??
They believe that the entire world is not worth saving, hence they feel like it's a waste of time to help people other than themselves.
JW's have always been rather selfish when it comes to helping others, praying for others etc. They feel they are the only ones of importance to God and the only ones that have God's favor. Hence the reason they don't donate to charity as all worldly people will soon be destroyed anyway.
Spirituality means realizing all humans are our brothers and sisters. (Deut 10:17; Romans 2:11). Praying for a minority is opposite of spirituality.
Why pray for people who don't exist in Jehovah's eyes because they "do not know him."
To be worthy of mention in a JW prayer you need to at least be interested in becoming a jw, on the road to baptism or an active and regular (meeting attender not bowel movements) baptized JW.
When I hear prayers given by brothers why do they only pray for other JWs not all people??
To pray or not to pray is a personal choice. And people also have a choice as to whom they want to include in their prayers.
If your friend meets with an accident, you may ardently pray for his recovery. However, this does not mean that you are indifferent and callous since you did not include all other people who must have met with an accident that day.
There were instances where even Jesus was specific in his prayers. John 17:9: I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
I appreciate that you pray for everyone. However, when we start judging whether others are doing the same in their prayers, we are assuming God's role. Prayers are made to God and let God decide whether whose prayer is appropriate.
The company work for has provided a building to American Red Cross to be use as shelter. Also, the company provided financial support for all employees that are impacted. That was setup very soon after the event. No distinction on race, gender or religion.
Just imagine that a shelter would only be open for one group of people?
The "so bad" word offers support to all alike.
