Lesson 09

Do you ever feel that you need guidance in life? Do you have important questions that you want answered? Do you need comfort or reassurance? Would you like to feel closer to Jehovah? Prayer can help you fill all of those needs. But what is the right way to pray? Does God listen to all prayers? What can you do to make sure that he will hear your prayers? Let us see.

Jesus taught that we should pray only to our heavenly Father. Jesus himself prayed to Jehovah. He said: “You must pray, then, this way: ‘Our Father in the heavens...’” (Matthew 6:9)

When we pray to Jehovah, we strengthen our friendship with him.

We can pray about practically any matter. Of course, for God to answer our prayers, they must be in harmony with his will. “No matter what we ask according to [God’s] will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14)

Jesus gave examples of appropriate things to pray for.

Read Matthew 6.9-13: “You must pray, then, this way: “‘Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth. Give us today our bread for this day; and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the wicked one.’

In addition to praying about our personal concerns, we must not forget to thank God for what he has done for us and ask him to help others.

The Bible encourages us to “pour out [our] hearts before [God].” (Psalm 62:8)

So our prayers should be sincere and heartfelt. We can pray aloud or silently and in any respectful body position. We can pray at any time and in any location.

He does so in a variety of ways. Jehovah has provided his Word, the Bible, where we often find answers to our questions. Reading God’s Word can “[make] the inexperienced one wise.” (Psalm 19:7)

Read James 1.5: So if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him.

He can give us peace of mind when we face challenges. And he can move his worshippers to help us when we really need it.

Examine how you can offer heartfelt prayers that are pleasing to God, and find out how prayer can benefit you.

What factors determine if our prayers are acceptable to God or not? Play the VIDEO.

Jehovah wants us to pray to him.

Read Psalm 65.2: O Hearer of prayer, to you people of all sorts will come.

Discuss these questions:

Do you think the “Hearer of prayer” wants you to pray to him? Why, or why not?

We must try to live according to God’s standards if we want him to hear our prayers.

Read Micah 3.4: At that time they will call to Jehovah for help, But he will not answer them. He will hide his face from them at that time, Because of their wicked deeds.

Read 1 Peter 3.12: For the eyes of Jehovah are on the righteous, and his ears listen to their supplication, but the face of Jehovah is against those doing bad things.”

Discuss this question:

How can we make sure that Jehovah will listen to our prayers?

Some people have been taught to repeat certain prayers word for word. But is that how God wants us to pray to him?

Read Matthew 6.7: When praying, do not say the same things over and over again as the people of the nations do, for they imagine they will get a hearing for their use of many words.

Discuss this question:

How can you avoid saying “the same things over and over again” in your prayers?

Each day, you might think of one specific blessing in your life and then thank Jehovah for that blessing. Do this every day for a week, and you will have prayed about seven different topics without repeating yourself.

How can prayer give us strength, both in good times and in bad? Play the VIDEO.

The Bible promises that prayer can help us to find real peace of mind.

Read Philippians 4.6, 7: Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.

Discuss these questions:

Although prayer does not always make our problems go away, how does it help?

What are some things you would like to pray about?

The word “amen” means “so be it” or “surely.” Since Bible times, “amen” has been said at the end of prayers.— 1 Chronicles 16:36.

Sometimes we may get so busy that we forget to pray. How important to Jesus was prayer?

Read Matthew 14.23: After sending the crowds away, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.

Read Mark 1.35: Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up and went outside and left for an isolated place, and there he began praying.

Discuss these questions:

What did Jesus do to make time for prayer?

When could you find time to pray?

What would you say?

Sincere prayers draw us closer to God, give us peace of mind, and give us the strength we need to please Jehovah.

To whom should we pray?

How should we pray?

What are some benefits of prayer?

Lesson completed on:

Pray about something of concern to you, something that you can thank Jehovah for, and something to benefit another person.

Other: Memorizing Bible scriptures is vital for blind individuals to defend the truth using the Bible, build faith, provide comfort during difficult times, and keep God’s principles firm in heart and mind.

From lesson 9, memorize Philippians 4:6, 7: Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.

Build a Bible mind map to locate scriptures, memorize: Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

1. Find the answers to commonly asked questions about prayer.

“Seven Things You Need to Know About Prayer” (The Watchtower, October 1, 2010) Open explore 1 in new page

2. Learn about important reasons to pray and how to improve the quality of your prayers.

“Why Should I Pray?” (Web article) Open explore 2 in new page

3. Consider what the Bible teaches about whom we should pray to.

“Should I Pray to Saints?” (Web article) Open explore 3 in new page

4. In this music video, note whether it matters where or when we pray.

Pray Anytime (1:22) Open explore 4 in new page