hillary_step,
Recently JW's have now been allowed to privately pray for DF'd persons who seem to be trying to return to the clan. Can you think of anything more ludicrous, trying to instruct individuals in what to pray for!
I am interested in hearing more about this. I noticed a softening of attitude in the
Watchtower of October 1, 2001 in an article called "How Can You Help A 'Prodigal' Child?" In the thread, "Please Help: Disfellowshipping--Scriptural View" (
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=15500&page=2&site=3 ), I compared the Society's stance in 1981 (parents would not conduct a Bible study directly with their minor child) to their stance in the Prodigal article (it would be best to provide instruction and discipline during a private study of the Bible).
I also noticed how carefully they regulated prayer for disfellowshipped children:
In restoring one's relationship with Jehovah, prayer is a must. Of course, no one should "make request" concerning blatant sin that is clearly being practiced unrepentantly by any individual once associated with the Christian congregation. (1 John 5:16,17; Jeremiah 7:16-20; Hebrews 10:26, 27) Yet parents can ask Jehovah to give them wisdom to deal with the situation. (James 1:5) If a disfellowshipped youth gives evidence of repentance but does not have "freeness of speech toward God," the parents might pray that if God finds a basis for pardoning the child's error, that His will be done. (1 John 3:21) Hearing these prayers should help the youth to see Jehovah as a merciful God.*--Exodus 34:6,7; James 5:16*Such prayers will not be offered publicly in behalf of a disfellowshipped minor at congregation meetings, as others may not be aware of the condition of the disfellowshipped person.--See The Watchtower, October 15, 1979, page 31.
How dare these men presume to tell anyone what they can and cannot pray about? If we can pray for our enemies and those persecuting us, why cannot we pray for prodigals? Prayer is one of the few private comforts left to Jehovah's Witneseses, and as a JW I craved a loving, understanding, heavenly father to whom I could pour out all of my concerns, hopes, and wishes, the one described at Hebrews 4:15, 16:
Let us, therefore, approach with freeness of speech to the throne of undeserved kindness, that we may obtain mercy and find undeserved kindness for help at the right time.
The Watchtower Society tries to encroach even upon the solace of private prayer. I loathe them for intruding upon this, making people feel that certain requests cannot be made, making them feel unworthy to approach God.
Like the Catholics they condemn, they quote 1 John 5:16,17 to distinguish between mortal and venial sins. To determine which is which, one would have to consult the elders' manual. After quoting Jeremiah about God's anger and rage, and Hebrews about God's fiery jealousy and vengeance, need we wonder why youths might need help to see Jehovah as a merciful God?
They dare close this limiting and regulating of prayer with James 5:16:
Therefore openly confess YOUR sins to one another and pray for one another, that YOU may get healed. A righteous man's supplication, when it is at work, has much force.
They later add that:
We can all look for opportunities to show "fellow feeling" and to be "tenderly compassionate" toward them.--1 Peter 3:8,9.
They refer not to the disfellowshipped youth, but to the
family of the disfellowshipped youth. Yes, this is the Watchtower way to "initiate and nurture the healing process."
Ginny
