For example, the gospels show that Jesus never directly addressed God in prayer with the name "Jehovah". He always addressed him as "Father".
Great point, and one that completely debunks the whole JW concept that: 'God gave us his name in the Bible, therefore we must use it when we speak about him, and when we speak to him'.
It's simple, really.
How many people talk to their human father using his name?
At some point, your dad will have told you his name.
Let's say your Dad told you his name is Bill.
Do you then feel obligated to use his name every time you speak to him? Or every time you speak to people about him?
(My father Bill is great. Bill is wonderful. I really love Bill.)
Would that even be respectful?
Would it indicate love and respect if you were to call him anything other than Papa, Dad, Father etc.? (variations of terms meaning 'Father' may depend on your country, you get the point.)
Even if your Dad accepts you calling him Bill all the time, would he then refuse to listen to any of his other children unless they also called him Bill when they spoke to him?
No loving father would do that.
Why Should We Use God's Name? — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY
1. Why has God given himself a name?
Undoubtedly, you like to be called by your personal name rather than by a title, such as “man,” “mister,” “madam,” or “woman.” A name helps to distinguish you as an individual. God is called by such titles as “Sovereign Lord,” “God Almighty,” and “Grand Creator.” (Genesis 15:2; 17:1; Ecclesiastes 12:1) But he has also given himself a name to help us to establish a personal relationship with him. In English, God’s personal name is Jehovah.—Read Isaiah 42:8.
Let me highlight the childish logic used here:
"Undoubtedly, you like to be called by your personal name rather than by a title, such as “man,” “mister,” “madam,” or “woman.” A name helps to distinguish you as an individual."
Undoubtedly, you would like to be called by your personal name when your children are speaking to you...
No?
Of course not.
"Son, I would like you to call me Bill from now on. No more of this Father or Papa nonsense. It is not acceptable to talk to me without using my personal name" ;)
A 'title' (or non-personal name, depending on how you view the word) such as Dad, or Pa, would do just fine.
Wouldn't you agree?
www.someecards.com/life/fathers-day/dad-daddy-pa-pop-or-father-a-guide-to-titles-for-new-fathers/
The logic used in that Watchtower only works if you are just talking to a friend, not to a parent.
You would usually call a buddy from school or work by their first name. Obviously.
But would you talk to your parents using their personal name?
Even if you viewed your father as a close friend, and he had told you his name, you still would likely not call him by his personal name.
Even if you chose to do so, and he accepted that, there would certainly be no obligation to do so.
It is not as though you have more than one Father, so you need to use his name to avoid any confusion.
Yet Jehovah's Witnesses claim that anyone who doesn't use the personal name of their Heavenly Father, like they do, is not a true worshipper!
Sorry for the long post. :)