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Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the modern-language New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

EXPECTATION POSTPONED

In 1925 many Bible Students expected the restoration of the earthly Paradise. Why? Brother Albert Schroeder, who later served on the Governing Body, explained: “It was thought that then the remnant of Christ’s anointed followers would go to heaven to be part of the Kingdom and that the faithful men of old, such as Abraham, David and others, would be resurrected as princes to take over the government of the earth as part of God’s kingdom.” As the year progressed and their hopes did not materialize, some understandably became disappointed.​—Prov. 13:12.

In spite of this disappointment, most Bible Students remained busy in the preaching work and became increasingly aware of their responsibility to be Witnesses of Jehovah. Consider, for example, the work they did to broadcast the truth far and wide.

RADIO BROADCASTING EXPANDS

Building on the success of the WBBR radio station during the preceding year, the Bible Students constructed another powerful radio station, this time near Chicago, Illinois. The call sign for the new station was WORD. “On cold winter nights,” recalled Ralph Leffler, a radio engineer who worked to construct the station, “WORD was heard far and wide.” For example, one family living more than 5,000 kilometers (3,000 mi) away in Pilot Station, Alaska, tuned in to one of the first broadcasts. After listening, the family wrote a letter to those working at the station to thank them for providing such an encouraging spiritual program.

Elaborating on the station’s amazing coverage, The Watch Tower of December 1, 1925, stated: “WORD is one of the super-stations of the United States, operating at 5,000 watts. The reception of this station has been good on both the Atlantic and Pacific seaboards, Cuba and the extreme northern part of Alaska. Many who have never before heard of the truth have been interested by hearing this station.”

During this same time, the Bible Students were also making efforts to expand the use of radio to preach the good news in Canada. In 1924 radio station CHUC was built in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It was one of the first religious radio stations in Canada. By 1925 the tiny station needed to relocate. So the Watch Tower Society took ownership of the station and moved its broadcasting studios to the Regent Building, an old theater in Saskatoon that they purchased and renovated for this purpose.

Thanks to this station, many people living in the sparsely populated regions of Saskatchewan heard the good news for the first time. For example, in one isolated town, a Mrs. Graham wrote to request Bible literature after listening to a broadcast. Brother George Naish recalled, “Her cry ‘Teach us!’ seemed so loud and clear that we sent her the entire set of Studies in the Scriptures.” Soon, Mrs. Graham was spreading the Kingdom message even farther afield.

CLARIFYING OUR BELIEFS

The March 1, 1925, issue of The Watch Tower contained a landmark article entitled “Birth of the Nation.” Why was this article so important? For some time, the Bible Students had known that Satan had an organization composed of invisible wicked spirits in heaven and of religious, commercial, and political elements on the earth. However, by means of this article, “the faithful and discreet slave” helped the brotherhood to discern that Jehovah too has an organization, one that is completely distinct from Satan’s organization and in opposition to it. (Matt. 24:45) In addition, the slave explained that God’s Kingdom had been born in 1914 and that in this year, as a result of the ‘war that broke out in heaven,’ Satan and his demons were cast out of heaven and were now confined to the earth.​—Rev. 12:7-9.

Some found this new understanding difficult to accept. Acknowledging this, the article admonished: “If there are readers of the Watch Tower who cannot agree with what is here stated, then it is suggested that such calmly and carefully wait upon the Lord, always keeping a pure heart.”

Tom Eyre, a colporteur (now known as a pioneer) from Britain, however, related how most of the Bible Students felt about that article: “The brothers were thrilled with this explanation of Revelation 12. Once we realized that the Kingdom had been established in the heavens, we were very enthusiastic to share this good news with others. It certainly roused us to increased activity and enabled us to see how Jehovah was leading his people on to greater things.”

WITNESSING FOR JEHOVAH

Today, Jehovah’s Witnesses are well-acquainted with the words of Isaiah 43:10: “‘You are my witnesses,’ declares Jehovah, ‘Yes, my servant whom I have chosen.’” However, prior to 1925, this scripture had rarely been considered in our publications. That was about to change. During 1925, The Watch Tower considered the subject of Isaiah 43:10 and 12 in 11 issues of the magazine!

At the end of August 1925, the Bible Students gathered at a convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. In a welcome message printed on the convention program, Joseph F. Rutherford stated: “We have come to this convention to obtain . . . strength from the Lord that we may go back to the field with renewed energy to be his witnesses.” Throughout the eight-day convention, attendees were encouraged to witness about Jehovah at every opportunity.

On Saturday, August 29, Brother Rutherford considered the theme “A Call to Action.” In his talk, he stressed the importance of witnessing: “Jehovah says to his people . . . : ‘Ye are my witnesses . . . that I am God.’ Then there comes to them the clear command, ringing out with no uncertain tones: ‘Lift up a standard for the people.’ There is none other on earth to lift up a standard or ensign to the people except [his people], those who have the spirit of the Lord, and who are therefore his witnesses.”​—Isa. 43:12; 62:10.

After Brother Rutherford’s talk, the audience unanimously adopted the resolution entitled “Message of Hope,” which pointed to God’s Kingdom as the real hope for receiving “the blessings of peace, prosperity, health, life, liberty and eternal happiness.” This resolution was later translated into several languages and printed in tract form. Some 40 million copies were distributed.

The Bible Students did not officially adopt the name Jehovah’s Witnesses for several more years. Yet, they were becoming increasingly aware of their responsibility to be his witnesses.

RETURNING TO VISIT INTERESTED ONES

As the number of Bible Students increased worldwide, so did the encouragement for them to recanvass, or return to visit, those who had previously shown interest in the good news. Following the campaign for distributing the tract Message of Hope, the Bulletina directed: “Arrange for the recanvassing of homes in which the workers did not place literature, but where a copy of the Message of Hope was left.”

The January 1925 issue of the Bulletin included the following report from a Bible Student in Plano, Texas: “We are impressed with the fact that territory that has been canvassed several times is often better than new fields. A little town in our territory has been canvassed five times during the last ten years. . . . Recently, Sister Hendrix and my mother recanvassed it and placed more books than [ever] before.”

And in the country of Panama, a colporteur wrote: “Many people who drove me from their door manifest a changed attitude when I return a second or third time. Most of my activities this year are confined to recanvassing those called on at some time in the past; and my experience with some of them is delightful.”

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

In his annual letter to all colporteurs, Brother Rutherford summed up the year’s activity and pointed forward to the work ahead. He said: “During the past year it has been your privilege to comfort many who were sad. This work has brought joy to your heart . . . The year just before you will afford opportunities to be witnesses for God and his kingdom and to hold up his standard for the people. . . . Together let us continue to lift up the voice and sing the praise of our God and our King.”

As the year 1925 drew to a close, the brothers were making plans to expand their facilities in Brooklyn. The year 1926 would mark the beginning of the largest construction project that the organization had ever undertaken.

1-2. (a) What situation do many face today? (b) What will we discuss in this article?

OUR world is obsessed with the pursuit of happiness. And yet, lasting joy remains elusive. Many are overwhelmed by feelings of emptiness and sadness. Jehovah’s people are not immune to these feelings. Because we are living in “the last days,” we expect to encounter situations and face emotions that are “hard to deal with.”​—2 Tim. 3:1.

² In this article, we will discuss what things can rob us of our joy and how we can recover our joy if we lose it. But first, we must identify the Source of true happiness and joy.

THE SOURCE OF TRUE HAPPINESS AND JOY

3. What does creation teach us about Jehovah? (See also pictures.)

³ Jehovah has always been happy. And he wants us to be happy, joyful. So it is not surprising that we see his joy reflected in his creation​—our beautiful planet, the endless variety of colors around us, the playful antics of animals, and an abundance of delicious food. God truly loves us and wants us to enjoy life!

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4. (a) How can Jehovah remain happy despite the suffering he sees in the world? (b) What is Jehovah’s gift to us? (Psalm 16:11)

⁴ Although Jehovah is “the happy God,” he is fully aware of the heartache and suffering in the world. (1 Tim. 1:11) But he has not allowed this reality to diminish his joy. He knows that all suffering is temporary​—he himself has set its expiration date. And he is patiently enduring until the day when he will undo all sorrow and suffering forever. In the meantime, Jehovah understands what we are going through and wants to help us. How does he help us? For one thing, he gives us the gift of joy. (Read Psalm 16:11.) Note how he shared that gift with his Son, Jesus.

5-6. Why is Jesus joyful?

⁵ From among all of Jehovah’s creations, Jesus is the happiest. Why? Consider two reasons. (1) “He is the image of the invisible God” and perfectly reflects his Father’s personality in every way. (Col. 1:15; see “happy” study note on 1 Timothy 6:15.) (2) Jesus has spent the most time with his Father, who is the Source of happiness.

⁶ Jesus has always found joy in doing whatever his Father asks him to do. (Prov. 8:30, 31; John 8:29) As a result of his faithful course, he has the favor and the approval of Jehovah.​—Matt. 3:17.

7. How can we find true joy?

⁷ We too can find true joy by drawing close to Jehovah, the Source of happiness. The more time we spend learning about Jehovah and imitating him, the happier we will be. We will also find joy in doing God’s will and in knowing that we have his approval.a (Ps. 33:12) But what if we feel an occasional or even a persistent lack of joy? Does this mean that we do not have God’s approval? No! We are imperfect and at times suffer from pain, sadness, and depression. Jehovah understands this. (Ps. 103:14) Let us discuss what things can rob us of our joy and how we can recover our joy.

DO NOT ALLOW ANYTHING TO STEAL YOUR JOY

8. How can life’s problems affect us?

⁸ Thief No. 1: Life’s problems. Are you experiencing the effects of persecution, a natural disaster, poverty, sickness, or old age? We can easily be robbed of our joy when facing such problems, especially when we have little or no control over a situation. The Bible realistically acknowledges that “heartache crushes the spirit.” (Prov. 15:13) Babis, an elder who lost his brother and both of his parents in death within a four-year period, says: “I felt alone and helpless. At times, I also felt torn because I had so much to deal with and I could not spend quality time with my parents and my brother before they died.” Life’s problems can indeed drain us physically and emotionally.

9. What can help us recover our joy? (Jeremiah 29:4-7, 10)

⁹ What can help us recover our joy? We can recover our joy by being realistic and grateful. The world promotes the idea that our life has to be picture-perfect for us to be happy. But this is not true. For example, Jehovah instructed the Jewish exiles in Babylon to accept their new reality as captives in a foreign land and to do their best under those difficult circumstances. (Read Jeremiah 29:4-7, 10.) The lesson? Try to accept your circumstances, and be grateful for the good things in your life. Remember, Jehovah will help you along the way. (Ps. 63:7; 146:5) Effie, who was in an accident that left her paralyzed, says: “I received a lot of help and support from Jehovah, my family, and the congregation. So I felt that it would be ungrateful of me if I just gave up. I want to show my gratitude to Jehovah and to the friends for their immense help.”

10. Why can we be joyful even when we face problems?

¹⁰ Even when our life is far from ideal or when terrible things happen to us or to our family, we can still be joyful.b (Ps. 126:5) Why? Because our joy does not depend on our circumstances. Maria, a pioneer, says: “When you are faced with problems, staying joyful does not mean that you are suppressing your feelings. Rather, it means that you have not forgotten Jehovah’s promises. Our Father will help us to protect our joy.” Remember, no matter how hard things are now, all our problems are temporary​—like footprints on a beach. Very soon they will be washed away, leaving no trace behind.

11. How does the apostle Paul’s example encourage you?

¹¹ What if we start to wonder whether our problems are proof that we have lost Jehovah’s approval? It may help to think of other faithful servants of Jehovah who faced very difficult situations. Consider the example of the apostle Paul. He was chosen by Jesus himself to bring the truth “to the nations as well as to kings and the sons of Israel.” (Acts 9:15) What a privilege! Yet, Paul’s life was far from trouble free. (2 Cor. 11:23-27) Did the seemingly endless troubles Paul faced mean that he had lost Jehovah’s approval? Of course not! On the contrary, his endurance showed that he had Jehovah’s blessing. (Rom. 5:3-5) Now think about your situation. You are enduring faithfully despite all the trials you are facing. So you too can be sure that you have Jehovah’s approval.

12. How might unfulfilled expectations rob us of our joy?

¹² Thief No. 2: Unfulfilled expectations. (Prov. 13:12) Our love and gratitude for Jehovah motivate us to set goals in his service. However, if the goals we set are not realistic for our circumstances, we could become downhearted. (Prov. 17:22) A pioneer named Holly says: “I wanted to attend the School for Kingdom Evangelizers, to serve abroad, or to work on the Ramapo construction project. But my circumstances changed, and I was no longer able to reach out for those goals. I was disappointed. It is frustrating when you want to accomplish things, but you can’t.” Many share such feelings.

13. If our circumstances limit what we can do, what realistic goals can we set?

¹³ What can help us recover our joy? Remember that Jehovah is not demanding. He does not expect too much from us; nor does he determine our worth based on what we are able to accomplish in his service. Jehovah wants us to be modest and faithful. (Mic. 6:8; 1 Cor. 4:2) He cares more about who we are on the inside than about what we do. Would it be reasonable for us to expect more of ourselves than Jehovah does?c Certainly not! So if your circumstances limit what you can do in Jehovah’s service, try focusing on what is within your reach. Could you become a mentor for younger ones or a strengthening aid for older ones? Could you set the goal of encouraging someone in person, by phone, or even by means of a text message? Jehovah will bless you with joy as you work toward such meaningful and realistic goals! And keep in mind that very soon, we will have endless opportunities in Jehovah’s new world to serve him in ways we cannot even imagine! Holly, mentioned earlier, concluded: “I sit back and think to myself, ‘I have eternity.’ With Jehovah’s help, I can fulfill some of my goals in the new world.”

14. What else can rob us of our joy?

¹⁴ Thief No. 3: Self-indulgence. Some use social media to promote the idea that true happiness and fulfillment come from pleasing ourselves. People are encouraged to make such things as hobbies, shopping, and travel their primary focus. It is not wrong to enjoy these pleasures. Jehovah has created us in a way that we can appreciate beautiful things. However, many have found that what they thought would bring them joy actually robbed them of it. Eva, a pioneer, says, “When your life revolves around pleasing yourself, nothing is ever enough.” Self-indulgence can leave us feeling deflated and empty.

15. What lesson can we learn from King Solomon?

¹⁵ We can learn from King Solomon’s experience with regard to the sad outcome of self-indulgence. He tried to find happiness by satisfying his personal desires, such as enjoying good food, beautiful music, and all the fine things money could buy in his day. But he was left feeling dissatisfied. He said: “The eye is not satisfied at seeing; nor is the ear filled from hearing.” (Eccl. 1:8; 2:1-11) The world’s ideas about what brings real joy are like counterfeit money. They appear to be valuable; yet, they cannot deliver on what they promise.

16. How can giving to others help us recover our joy? (See also pictures.)

¹⁶ What can help us recover our joy? Jesus taught us that “there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” (Acts 20:35) An elder named Alekos says: “I focus on doing simple things for others. The more I give, the more my attention shifts away from me, and I am joyful.” What can you do for others? If you see someone struggling, try to encourage him. You may not be able to solve his problems, but you can comfort him by listening with empathy, by being compassionate, and by reminding him to throw his burden on Jehovah. (Ps. 55:22; 68:19) You can also help him to appreciate that Jehovah has not abandoned him. (Ps. 37:28; Isa. 59:1) You might even offer to do something practical for him, such as prepare a meal or just go for a walk together. Invite him to join you in the ministry, which will lift his spirits. Allow yourself to be a tool in Jehovah’s hands. Focusing on others rather than on ourselves will give us genuine joy!​—Prov. 11:25.

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17. How is our joy connected to Jehovah? (Psalm 43:4)

¹⁷ We can be truly happy if we continue to draw close to our heavenly Father. The Bible assures us that Jehovah is our “exceeding joy.” (Read Psalm 43:4.) So no matter what we are experiencing in life, we can feel secure. Let us then keep our focus on Jehovah, the unfailing Source of our joy!​—Ps. 144:15.

1-2. What challenge do many Christians face?

IMAGINE a boat in the middle of a turbulent storm. Churning waves are tossing the vessel up and down. That boat will go wherever the waves take it, unless someone uses an anchor. An anchor will steady the boat and keep it from drifting as the storm rages.

² When you are enduring a turbulent trial, you might feel like that boat. Your emotions can go up and down. One day you are confident of Jehovah’s love and support; the next day you wonder if he even sees what you are going through. (Ps. 10:1; 13:1) Perhaps a friend offers words of comfort, and you feel better for a while. (Prov. 17:17; 25:11) But then the doubts return. You might even wonder if Jehovah has given up on you. How can you be anchored, so to speak, as you face a trial? In other words, how can you be assured​—and remain assured—​of Jehovah’s love and support?

3. What is the meaning of “loyal love,” as mentioned at Psalm 31:7 and 136:1, and why can we say that Jehovah is the supreme example of it? (See also picture.)

³ One way you can be anchored during a trial is to remember Jehovah’s loyal love. (Read Psalm 31:7; 136:1.) The term “loyal love” conveys the idea of a deep and lasting attachment that one person has for another. Jehovah is the supreme example of loyal love. In fact, the Bible describes him as being “abundant in loyal love.” (Ex. 34:6, 7) The Bible also says of Jehovah: “You abound in loyal love for all those who call on you.” (Ps. 86:5) Think what that means: Jehovah never abandons his faithful servants! Remembering that Jehovah is loyal can anchor you as you face a turbulent trial.​—Ps. 23:4.

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THINK OF JEHOVAH’S LOVE AS A BASIC BIBLE TEACHING

4. Give examples of basic Bible teachings, and explain why we are not easily swayed.

⁴ Another way you can be anchored during a trial is to think of Jehovah’s love as a basic Bible teaching. What does the phrase “basic Bible teaching” mean to you? Perhaps you think of the doctrinal truths that you have learned from God’s Word. For example, you have learned that God’s name is Jehovah, that Jesus is God’s only-begotten Son, that the dead are unconscious, and that there will be an earthly paradise in which humans will live forever. (Ps. 83:18; Eccl. 9:5; John 3:16; Rev. 21:3, 4) Once you accepted those teachings, you were not easily swayed. Why? Because you came to realize that they are rooted in facts. Let us see how viewing Jehovah’s love as a basic Bible teaching can help you to dispel the thought that Jehovah does not care about or notice what you are going through.

5. Describe how false teachings are overturned.

⁵ When you first studied the Bible, what helped you to reject false teachings? Likely, you were helped by comparing what you were taught by your religion with what the Scriptures teach. Consider one example: Suppose you once believed that Jesus is Almighty God. As you studied the Bible, though, you asked yourself, ‘Is that teaching really true?’ After examining the Scriptural evidence, you were able to answer no. Then you replaced the false teaching with this Scriptural truth: Jesus is “the firstborn of all creation,” “the only-begotten Son of God.” (Col. 1:15; John 3:18) Of course, false teachings can be “strongly entrenched” and difficult to overturn. (2 Cor. 10:4, 5) But once you were able to do so, you did not return to the doctrines that you left behind.​—Phil. 3:13.

6. Why can you be confident that Jehovah’s “loyal love endures forever”?

⁶ You can take a similar approach regarding what the Bible teaches about Jehovah’s love. As you face a trial, if you begin to doubt Jehovah’s love, ask yourself, ‘Is my thinking sound?’ Compare your doubts about Jehovah’s love with the words of Psalm 136:1​—the theme scripture for this article. Why does Jehovah describe his love as “loyal”? Why is the thought that “his loyal love endures forever” repeated 26 times in that psalm? As we have considered, Jehovah’s loyal love for his people is a fundamental Bible teaching, much like other doctrines that you have readily accepted from God’s Word. The idea that Jehovah views you as worthless or unlovable is a falsehood. Reject that belief, just as firmly as you would reject any other false teaching!

7. Give some examples of scriptures that provide assurances of Jehovah’s love.

⁷ The Bible contains many other assurances of Jehovah’s love. For example, Jesus said to his followers: “You are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matt. 10:31) Jehovah himself said to his people: “I will fortify you, yes, I will help you, I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness.” (Isa. 41:10) Note how firm those statements are. Jesus does not say ‘You might be worth more,’ and Jehovah does not say ‘I might help you.’ Rather, they say: “You are worth more” and “I will help you.” If you ever doubt Jehovah’s love as you face a trial, such scriptures can do more than just help you feel better; they can help you know better. They are rooted in facts. Prayerfully meditating on that will move you to echo the words of 1 John 4:16: “We have come to know and believe the love that God has for us.”a

8. What can you do if at times you doubt whether Jehovah loves you?

⁸ What, though, if at times you still doubt Jehovah’s love? Compare what you feel with what you know. Feelings are not as reliable as facts, but Jehovah’s love as taught in the Scriptures is a fact. To think otherwise is to overlook the very core of Jehovah’s personality​—his love.​—1 John 4:8.

REFLECT ON JEHOVAH’S “AFFECTION FOR YOU”

9-10. What is the context of Jesus’ words “The Father himself has affection for you,” as recorded at John 16:26, 27? (See also picture.)

⁹ We can learn more about Jehovah’s love by considering Jesus’ statement to his followers: “The Father himself has affection for you.” (Read John 16:26, 27.) Jesus did not say these words just to make his disciples feel good. In fact, the context reveals that he was not addressing their feelings at that moment. Rather, he was discussing a different matter​—prayer.

¹⁰ Jesus had just told his disciples that they should pray through him but not to him. (John 16:23, 24) It was important for them to know that. After his resurrection, the disciples might have been inclined to pray to Jesus. After all, they had come to know Jesus as a friend. They could have reasoned that his affection for them would move him to hear their entreaties and present their requests to the Father. However, Jesus said that they should not think this way. Why? Because, he told them: “The Father himself has affection for you.” That fact is part of the Bible’s basic teaching about prayer. Consider what that means for you: Through your study of the Bible, you have come to know and to love Jesus. (John 14:21) But like the first-century disciples, you can confidently pray to God, knowing that he “himself has affection for you.” You demonstrate your faith in those words each time you pray to Jehovah.​—1 John 5:14.

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UNDERSTAND WHERE DOUBTS COME FROM

11. Why would Satan be glad if we were to doubt Jehovah’s love?

¹¹ Where do doubts about Jehovah’s love come from? You might answer that they originate with Satan, and there is some truth to that. The Devil is “seeking to devour” us, and he would be glad if we were to doubt Jehovah’s love. (1 Pet. 5:8) After all, Jehovah’s love moved Him to provide the ransom​—something that Satan would like us to feel unworthy of. (Heb. 2:9) But who benefits if we doubt Jehovah’s love? Satan does. And whose purpose is served if we give up under hardship? It is Satan’s. Consider the irony of Satan’s attempt to make us doubt Jehovah’s love. Satan is really the one who has lost Jehovah’s love. Yet, in one of his most “crafty acts,” he tries to make us feel that we are the ones who are unloved and condemned by Jehovah. (Eph. 6:11) When we realize what our enemy is trying to do, we can strengthen our resolve to “oppose the Devil.”​—Jas. 4:7.

12-13. How might our inherited sinful condition cause us to doubt Jehovah’s love?

¹² Doubts about Jehovah’s love can come from another source. What would that be? Our inherited sinful condition. (Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12) Sin has alienated man from his Creator. It has also damaged his mind, heart, and body.

¹³ Sin has produced an emotional upheaval in us, causing us to feel guilt, anxiety, insecurity, and shame. We can experience those feelings when we commit a sin. But they can also surface because we are constantly aware of our sinful state​—a condition that is entirely out of harmony with the way we were created. (Rom. 8:20, 21) Just as a vehicle with a flat tire cannot operate at peak efficiency, we as imperfect people cannot function at our full potential, the way we were designed to. It is not surprising, therefore, that at times we struggle with doubts about Jehovah’s love. If that happens, we should remember that Jehovah is “the great and awe-inspiring God who . . . shows loyal love to those who love him and keep his commandments.”​—Neh. 1:5.

14. How can reflecting on the ransom help us dispel the idea that Jehovah could never love us? (Romans 5:8) (See also the box “Guard Against ‘the Deceptive Power of Sin.’”)

¹⁴ True, we may occasionally feel that we are not worthy of Jehovah’s love. And strictly speaking, we are not worthy of it​—and that’s what makes it so profound. We do not earn Jehovah’s love on our own merit. Still, the ransom covers our sins, and Jehovah has made that provision because he loves us. (1 John 4:10) Remember, too, that Jesus came to save sinners, not perfect people. (Read Romans 5:8.) None of us can do things perfectly, and Jehovah does not expect us to. When we understand that our sinful condition can cause us to doubt Jehovah’s love, we can become even more determined to fight its grip on our thinking.​—Rom. 7:24, 25.

CHOOSE TO REMAIN LOYAL

15-16. If we remain loyal to Jehovah, of what can we be assured, and why? (2 Samuel 22:26)

¹⁵ Jehovah wants us to make the right choice by “sticking to him.” (Deut. 30:19, 20) If we do so, we can be certain that he will remain loyal to us. (Read 2 Samuel 22:26.) As long as we remain loyal to Jehovah, we can count on him to help us through any situation that arises in our life.

¹⁶ As we have discussed, we have every reason to remain anchored as we face trials. We know that Jehovah loves us and will support us. That is what the Bible teaches. If we ever doubt his love, we can reflect on what we know to be true rather than on what we feel to be true. Let us remain confident in the Bible-based truth that Jehovah’s loyal love endures forever.

1-2. (a) What could prevent us from opening up to Jehovah? (b) How do we know that Jehovah warmly listens to our prayers?

DO YOU at times feel that your prayers have become repetitious, superficial, or routine? If so, you are not alone. Because of our hectic pace of life, we may tend to rush through our prayers. Or we may even find it hard to open up to Jehovah because we feel unworthy of approaching him.

² The Bible assures us that what matters to Jehovah is, not that our prayers are elaborate, but that they come from a humble heart. He hears “the request of the meek.” (Ps. 10:17) He warmly listens to our every word because he is truly interested in us.​—Ps. 139:1-3.

3. What questions will we consider in this article?

³ We might then ask: Why can we confidently pray to Jehovah? How can we make our prayers more meaningful? How can reflecting on heartfelt prayers recorded in the Bible help us to improve our prayers? And what can we do if we are too distraught to put our feelings into words? Let us consider the answers to these questions.

CONFIDENTLY TURN TO JEHOVAH IN PRAYER

4. What can help us to turn to Jehovah in prayer with confidence? (Psalm 119:145)

⁴ When we understand that Jehovah is a loyal friend who wants us to succeed, we will realize that we can confidently turn to him in prayer. The writer of Psalm 119 tried to have that kind of warm relationship with Jehovah. His life was not problem free. He was wronged by deceitful men. (Ps. 119:23, 69, 78) He also had to deal with his own imperfections. (Ps. 119:5) Even so, he was not afraid to open his heart to Jehovah.​—Read Psalm 119:145.

5. Why should we not allow negative feelings to keep us from praying? Illustrate.

⁵ Jehovah invites even those who have committed serious mistakes to pray to him. (Isa. 55:6, 7) So we should not let negative feelings hold us back from praying. To illustrate, an airplane pilot knows that he can communicate with air traffic controllers if he needs help. Should he hesitate to contact them because of being embarrassed that he got lost or made a mistake? Surely not! Likewise, even if we at times feel lost or have sinned, we can confidently turn to Jehovah in prayer.​—Ps. 119:25, 176.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR PRAYERS MORE MEANINGFUL

6-7. How can reflecting on Jehovah’s qualities help us to make our prayers more meaningful? Give an example. (See also footnote.)

⁶ When we speak openly to Jehovah by sharing our inner thoughts and deep feelings with him, our prayers become more meaningful. So, what can we do to improve the depth of our prayers?

⁷ Reflect on Jehovah’s qualities.a The more we reflect on his qualities, the more we will be able to express our thoughts freely. (Ps. 145:8, 9, 18) Consider the example of Kristine, a sister who had a violent father. She explains: “Talking to Jehovah as a Father was not easy for me. I felt that my imperfections would cause him to abandon me.” What quality of Jehovah has helped her? She says: “Jehovah’s loyal love makes me feel safe. I know that he will not let go of my hand. Even if I fall, he will lovingly pick me up. This helps me to express my deepest joys to him as well as my deepest sorrows.”

8-9. What are some benefits of thinking about what you want to say before you pray? Illustrate.

⁸ Think about what to say. Before praying, you might ask yourself a number of questions. For example: ‘What specific problems am I dealing with right now? Is there anyone I need to forgive? Am I facing a new challenge that I need Jehovah’s help to overcome?’ (2 Ki. 19:15-19) We can also follow the pattern that Jesus set by thinking about what we can ask Jehovah regarding His name, His Kingdom, and His will.​—Matt. 6:9, 10.

⁹ When a sister named Aliska learned that her husband had terminal brain cancer, it was hard for her to pray. She recalls: “I was so distressed that I found it difficult to think clearly enough to say a prayer.” What has helped her? She explains: “I take a few moments before I pray to organize my thoughts, and this has helped me to make sure that my prayers aren’t focused only on me. This approach has allowed me to feel calmer and be in a better frame of mind when I pray.”

10. Why should we try to linger in prayer? (See also pictures.)

¹⁰ Linger in prayer. Even though short prayers can be meaningful, we are more likely to express our inner thoughts when we linger in prayer.b Aliska’s husband, Elijah, relates: “I try to pray many times throughout the day, and I’ve grown closer to Jehovah by taking the time to linger in prayer. Jehovah is not impatiently waiting for me to finish praying, so I can take my time.” Try this: Find a time and a place that allow you to pray, perhaps even out loud, without distractions, and make it a habit to linger in prayer.

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REFLECT ON HEARTFELT PRAYERS RECORDED IN THE BIBLE

11. How do we benefit by reflecting on heartfelt prayers recorded in the Bible? (See also the box “Can You Relate to Their Circumstances?”)

¹¹ You may find it beneficial to reflect on heartfelt prayers and sacred songs, or psalms, recorded in the Bible. As you consider how God’s servants expressed their deepest thoughts, you will be moved to open your heart to Jehovah. You may also discover new expressions of praise that you can include in your prayers. And you are likely to find prayers that pertain to your circumstances.

12. What questions can we ask ourselves as we reflect on the content of a prayer?

¹² As you reflect on the content of a prayer recorded in the Scriptures, ask yourself: ‘Who spoke these words and under what circumstances? Can I relate to the thoughts expressed in this prayer? What lessons can I learn from it?’ You may need to do additional research to answer these questions, but it is worth the effort. Consider a few examples.

13. What is one lesson about prayer that we can learn from Hannah? (1 Samuel 1:10, 11) (See also picture.)

¹³ Read 1 Samuel 1:10, 11. When Hannah said this prayer, she was facing two major problems. She was barren, and her husband’s other wife was making her life miserable. (1 Sam. 1:4-7) If you are facing a persistent problem, what can you learn from Hannah’s prayer? She found relief by lingering in prayer and by unburdening her heart to God. (1 Sam. 1:12, 18) We too can find relief when we “throw [our] burden on Jehovah” by describing to him how we feel about our specific difficulties.​—Ps. 55:22.

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14. (a) What else do we learn from Hannah’s example? (b) How can we enrich our prayers by meditating on the Scriptures? (See footnote.)

¹⁴ A few years after the birth of her son Samuel, Hannah presented him to High Priest Eli. (1 Sam. 1:24-28) In a heartfelt prayer, she expressed her conviction that Jehovah protects and cares for his loyal servants.c (1 Sam. 2:1, 8, 9) Her problems at home may not have disappeared, but Hannah focused on how Jehovah had blessed her. What is the lesson for us? We will be better able to cope with ongoing challenges if we focus on how Jehovah has supported us until now.

15. When we experience injustice, what can we learn from the prophet Jeremiah’s petition? (Jeremiah 12:1)

¹⁵ Read Jeremiah 12:1. At one point in his life, the prophet Jeremiah was troubled to see the wicked succeed. He was also affected by the way fellow Israelites treated him. (Jer. 20:7, 8) We can relate to him when we see dishonest people prosper or when we are ridiculed. Although Jeremiah expressed his frustration, he did not question God’s justice. As he saw how Jehovah disciplined His rebellious people, his confidence in God’s justice must have increased. (Jer. 32:19) We too can openly express our frustrations in prayer, trusting that Jehovah will in his due time correct any injustices we now face.

16. If we feel limited by our circumstances, what can we learn from an exiled Levite? (Psalm 42:1-4) (See also pictures.)

¹⁶ Read Psalm 42:1-4. This song was written by an exiled Levite who could not associate with fellow believers. His psalm reveals how he was feeling. We may be able to relate to him if we are confined to our home or imprisoned for our faith. Our emotions may fluctuate, but we do well to express them in prayer. This may help us to examine our thoughts and put things in perspective. For example, the Levite realized that he would have new opportunities to praise Jehovah. (Ps. 42:5) He also reflected on how Jehovah was taking care of him. (Ps. 42:8) Praying earnestly to God can help us analyze our feelings, restore our balance, and find the strength to endure.

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17. (a) What can we learn from the prophet Jonah’s prayer? (Jonah 2:1, 2) (b) How might some expressions from the Psalms help us when we face difficulties? (See footnote.)

¹⁷ Read Jonah 2:1, 2. The prophet Jonah offered this prayer while in the belly of a big fish. Even though he had disobeyed Jehovah, Jonah was confident that God would hear his voice. In his petition, Jonah used many expressions that are found in the Psalms.d He was likely familiar with these passages. By reflecting on them, he felt assured that Jehovah would help him. Similarly, if we try to memorize some Bible verses, they may come to mind and give us comfort when we pray to Jehovah in difficult times.

KEEP DRAWING CLOSE TO JEHOVAH IN PRAYER

18-19. If we at times struggle to put our feelings into words when praying, what assurance do we find at Romans 8:26, 27? Give an example.

¹⁸ Read Romans 8:26, 27. We may at times feel so overwhelmed with anxiety that we cannot put our feelings into words. But we are not without help. At such times, God’s holy spirit “pleads” for us. How so? Through his spirit, Jehovah caused many prayers to be preserved in his Word. When we cannot clearly express our thoughts, Jehovah may accept certain expressions found in those prayers as requests that we wish to make, and he may answer them.

¹⁹ This thought helped a Russian sister named Yelena. She was arrested for praying and for reading the Bible. Yelena experienced so much stress that she found it difficult to pray. She relates: “I then remembered that when I feel overwhelmed and do not know what to pray for, Jehovah will accept the inspired prayers of God’s servants from the past . . . as requests I would like to make. . . . This proved to be very comforting to me during an extremely difficult time.”

20. How can we prepare our mind for prayer when we are under stress?

²⁰ When we are under stress, it can be hard to focus while we are praying. To prepare our mind, we can listen to audio recordings of the Psalms. We can also try to pour out our feelings in writing, as King David did. (Ps. 18, 34, 142; superscriptions.) Of course, there are no hard-and-fast rules on how we should prepare ourselves for prayer. (Ps. 141:2) Do what works best for you.

21. Why can we pray with our whole heart?

²¹ It warms our heart to know that Jehovah understands our feelings even before we say anything. (Ps. 139:4) Yet, he delights to hear our expressions of confidence in him. So do not hesitate to pray to your heavenly Father. Find inspiration in the prayers recorded in his Word. Pray with your whole heart. Share both your joys and your sorrows with him. As your true Friend, Jehovah will always be there for you!

1. How do we know that our prayers are important to Jehovah?

PRAYER is a marvelous provision. Think about it: Jehovah has delegated certain tasks to the angels. (Ps. 91:11) He has also given his Son weighty responsibilities. (Matt. 28:18) However, what about listening to prayers? That is something Jehovah has reserved for himself alone. Jehovah, the “Hearer of prayer,” personally listens to us.​—Ps. 65:2.

2. What example did the apostle Paul set with regard to praying for others?

² Although we can freely approach Jehovah about our own concerns, we should also pray for others. The apostle Paul did that. For example, he wrote to the congregation in Ephesus: “I continue mentioning you in my prayers.” (Eph. 1:16) Paul prayed for individuals too. For example, he told Timothy: “I am grateful to God, . . . never ceasing to remember you in my supplications night and day.” (2 Tim. 1:3) Paul had anxieties of his own to pray about. (2 Cor. 11:23; 12:7, 8) Still, he took the time to pray for others.

3. Why might we neglect to pray for others?

³ We might at times forget to pray for others. Why? A Christian sister named Sabrinaa identifies one reason. She says: “Life in this system is hectic. We can get so distracted by our problems that we pray only about our own needs.” Have you observed that tendency in yourself? If so, this article can help you. It will (1) explain why it is important to pray for others and (2) offer suggestions on how you can do it.

WHY PRAY FOR OTHERS?

4-5. How can our prayers for others have “a powerful effect”? (James 5:16)

⁴ Praying for others “has a powerful effect.” (Read James 5:16.) Can praying for others really affect the outcome of a situation? Yes, it can. Jesus, knowing that the apostle Peter would soon deny him, said: “I have made supplication for you that your faith may not give out.” (Luke 22:32) Paul also knew that prayer can make a difference. When he was unjustly imprisoned in Rome, he wrote to Philemon: “I am hoping that through your prayers I will be given back to you.” (Philem. 22; see study note “for I am hoping that through your prayers.”) As it turned out, Paul was soon freed and was able to resume his preaching.

⁵ Of course, this does not mean that by praying we can put pressure on Jehovah. He notices the concern that his servants show, and he at times chooses to act on their request. Knowing that can help us to pray earnestly to Jehovah about a situation and then confidently leave the matter in his hands.​—Ps. 37:5; see 2 Corinthians 1:11 and study notes.

6. How can praying for others affect how we feel about them? (1 Peter 3:8)

⁶ Praying for others helps us develop “tender compassion.” (Read 1 Peter 3:8.) Compassion is an awareness of another person’s suffering along with a desire to relieve it. (Mark 1:40, 41) An elder named Michael says: “When I pray for others about their needs, I become more aware of the struggles that they face and this deepens my love for them. I feel closer to them, even though they may not be aware of it.” An elder named Richard describes another benefit. He says: “When we pray for someone, we are more inclined to do something to help him.” He adds: “When we offer practical assistance to the person we are praying for, we are in a sense helping to answer our prayer for him.”

7. How can praying for others help us to have a balanced view of our own problems? (Philippians 2:3, 4) (See also pictures.)

⁷ Praying for others helps us to put our own problems in the proper perspective. (Read Philippians 2:3, 4.) Each of us contends with some hardship that comes from living in a world that is under the Devil’s control. (1 John 5:19; Rev. 12:12) When we make it a habit to pray for others, we are reminded that “the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by the entire association of [our] brothers.” (1 Pet. 5:9) A pioneer named Katherine says: “Praying for others reminds me that others too are facing challenges. That fact keeps me from becoming overly focused on my own problems.”

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THEY NEED OUR PRAYERS

8. Give examples of who can be included in our prayers.

⁸ Who can be included in our prayers? We can pray for groups of people​—for example, those who have health problems, young ones who face ridicule and peer pressure at school, or those who face the challenges of old age. Many of our fellow believers endure opposition, either from family members or from governments. (Matt. 10:18, 36; Acts 12:5) Some of our brothers have had to abandon their homes because of political unrest. Others are victims of natural disasters. We may not know these brothers and sisters personally. But when we pray for them, we show that we are following Jesus’ command to “love one another.”​—John 13:34.

9. Why should we pray for those taking the lead in Jehovah’s organization as well as for their wives?

⁹ We can also pray for those taking the lead in Jehovah’s organization. This includes the Governing Body and their helpers, Branch Committees, responsible overseers at the branch offices, circuit overseers, congregation elders, and ministerial servants. Many of these brothers deal with their own anxieties as they expend themselves in our behalf. (2 Cor. 12:15) For example, a circuit overseer named Mark says: “One of my greatest challenges is being far away from my aging parents. Both are in poor health. Although their needs are being cared for by my sister and her husband, it pains me to be so limited in what I can do for them personally.” Whether we are aware of the anxieties that these hardworking brothers are dealing with or not, we do well to keep them in our prayers. (1 Thess. 5:12, 13) We can also pray for the wives of these brothers, as their loyal support helps their husbands to continue in their assignments.

10-11. Are general prayers for our brothers and sisters pleasing to Jehovah? Explain.

¹⁰ As we have discussed, we often pray for broad groups of brothers and sisters. For example, without any particular individual in mind, we might ask Jehovah to help those who are imprisoned or to comfort those who have lost loved ones in death. An elder named Donald says, “We have so many brothers and sisters going through difficulties that sometimes we give an ‘umbrella’ prayer so that we can include all those who are suffering.”

¹¹ Are such prayers pleasing to Jehovah? Of course! After all, we do not know the specific needs of all our fellow believers. So it is appropriate to make general requests for groups of our brothers and sisters. (John 17:20; Eph. 6:18) These prayers give evidence that we “have love for the whole association of brothers.”​—1 Pet. 2:17.

WHEN PRAYING FOR INDIVIDUALS

12. How can being observant help us to be more specific in our prayers?

¹² Be observant. In addition to praying for groups of brothers and sisters, it is proper to pray for individuals by name. Is someone in your congregation battling a chronic illness? Is a young one downcast, perhaps because of pressures he faces at school? Is a single parent struggling to raise a child “in the discipline and admonition of Jehovah”? (Eph. 6:4) By being observant, you will deepen your fellow feeling for others, which will strengthen your desire to pray for them.b​—Rom. 12:15.

13. How can we pray for those we do not know personally?

¹³ Pray for others by name. We can do that even for those we have never met. For example, consider our imprisoned brothers and sisters in such lands as Crimea, Eritrea, Russia, and Singapore. On jw.org, you can find the names of those who are in prison.c A circuit overseer named Brian says: “I have found that writing down the name of an imprisoned fellow believer and then saying it out loud helps me to remember the person and include him in my personal prayers.”

14-15. How can we make our requests specific?

¹⁴ Make specific requests. Michael, quoted earlier, suggests: “As I read accounts on jw.org of imprisoned brothers, I try to imagine how I would feel if I were in their situation. I know I would worry about my wife, and I would want to make sure that she would be cared for. So that gives me something specific to include in my prayers for our imprisoned brothers who are married.”​—Heb. 13:3, ftn.

¹⁵ When we consider what daily life must be like for our brothers in prison, we can also find other ways to make our prayers specific. For example, we can pray that the prison guards will be kind and that those in positions of authority will allow our brothers to worship freely. (1 Tim. 2:1, 2) We can pray that the local congregation will be encouraged by the example of their faithful imprisoned brother or that unbelievers will observe the prisoner’s fine conduct and listen to our message. (1 Pet. 2:12) Of course, the same principles will help us in our prayers for our brothers and sisters who are enduring other trials. By being observant, praying for others by name, and making specific requests, we can show that we “abound in love for one another.”​—1 Thess. 3:12.

A BALANCED VIEW OF OUR PRAYERS

16. How can we keep a balanced view of our prayers? (Matthew 6:8)

¹⁶ As we have seen, our prayers may make a difference in how a situation turns out. However, we need to have a balanced view. When we pray, we are not informing Jehovah of something that he does not already know; nor should we advise him on how best to handle a situation. Jehovah knows what his servants need even before they​—or we—​are aware of it. (Read Matthew 6:8.) Why, then, should we pray for others at all? Apart from the reasons already mentioned in this article, it is what caring people do. Love motivates us to pray for one another. And Jehovah rejoices to see his love reflected by his servants.

17-18. How can our prayers for fellow believers be illustrated?

¹⁷ Even if our prayers do not seem to affect the outcome of a situation, they do reflect our love for our brothers and sisters, and Jehovah takes note of that. We can illustrate it this way: Imagine a family with two small children​—a boy and a girl. The boy is sick in bed. The girl begs her father: “Please do something for my brother. He’s really sick!” The father already has the situation under control; he loves his son and is taking good care of him. However, how happy the father must be to see his young daughter care so much about her brother that she begs her father to help him.

¹⁸ That is what Jehovah encourages us to do​—to care about one another and pray for one another. As we do so, our prayers reveal the depth of our unselfish concern for others and Jehovah takes note of that. (2 Thess. 1:3; Heb. 6:10) Also, as we have discussed, in some cases our prayers can even make a difference in how a situation turns out. By all means, then, let us remember to pray for one another.

ON OCTOBER 5, 2024, a special announcement was made at the annual meeting: Brothers Jody Jedele and Jacob Rumph had been appointed as members of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Both brothers have faithfully served Jehovah for many years.

Brother Jedele was born in Missouri, U.S.A. and was raised in the truth. His family lived near seldom-worked territory. Thus, he met many brothers from diverse backgrounds who visited to help preach the good news. Their love and unity greatly impacted him. He got baptized in his early teens, on October 15, 1983. He enjoyed the ministry, and after high school, he started regular pioneering in September 1989.

During Brother Jedele’s youth, his parents would take him and his sister to visit Bethel. These visits motivated the children to set the goal of Bethel service​—a goal they both achieved. Brother Jedele arrived at Wallkill Bethel in September 1990. He first worked in the Cleaning Department and later in Medical Services.

About that time, nearby Spanish-language congregations were growing and needed brothers. So Brother Jedele attended one of them and began learning Spanish. Shortly thereafter, he met Damaris, a sister who pioneered in the same circuit. Eventually, they married, and she joined him at Bethel.

In 2005 they left Bethel to care for their faithful parents. During that period, they served as regular pioneers. Brother Jedele helped teach Pioneer Service School, and he served on the local Hospital Liaison Committee and Regional Building Committee.

In 2013, Brother and Sister Jedele were invited back to Bethel for the Warwick construction project. Since then, they have also served at Patterson and Wallkill. Brother Jedele has worked in the Local Design/​Construction Department and in Hospital Information Services. In March 2023, he was appointed as a helper to the Service Committee. Looking back on his assignments, he says: “When facing new assignments, you can sometimes feel overwhelmed. But that’s when you have to remember to rely on Jehovah because he is the one who causes to become.”

Brother Rumph was born in California, U.S.A. During his childhood, his mother was inactive but she made efforts to teach him Bible truths. Also, each year he would visit his grandmother, a faithful Witness. She helped to awaken his interest in the truth, and at 13 years of age, he asked for a Bible study. On September 27, 1992, while in his teens, he got baptized. Happily, his mother was reactivated and all his immediate family began making progress and got baptized.

In his youth, Brother Rumph saw how happy the pioneers were. So after completing high school, he began pioneering in September 1995. In 2000, he moved to Ecuador to serve where the need was greater. There he met Inga, a pioneer sister from Canada, and eventually they got married. They began their married life in a town in Ecuador that had a small group of publishers. Today it has a thriving congregation.

In time, Brother and Sister Rumph were appointed as special pioneers and later to the circuit work. In 2011 they were invited to the 132nd class of Gilead. After graduating, they served in various places around the world and enjoyed different forms of service, such as Bethel service, missionary work, and circuit work. Brother Rumph also had the privilege of instructing the School for Kingdom Evangelizers.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brother and Sister Rumph returned to the United States. They were invited to Wallkill Bethel, where Brother Rumph received training in the Service Department. Eventually, they were assigned back to the Ecuador branch, where Brother Rumph served on the Branch Committee. In 2023 they transferred to Warwick. In January 2024, Brother Rumph was appointed to serve as a helper to the Service Committee. Reflecting on where he has served, he says, “What makes an assignment special is never the place but the people with whom you serve.”

We appreciate the hard work of these brothers, and we “keep holding men of that sort dear.”​—Phil. 2:29.

With so many activities to care for, do you struggle to follow your schedule for reading God’s Word each day? (Josh. 1:8) If so, try one of these suggestions:

• Set up daily reminders. Set an alarm on your electronic device to prompt you to read the Bible.

• Keep your Bible in a prominent place. If you read from a printed copy of the Bible, put it where you can easily see it every day.​—Deut. 11:18.

• Listen to audio recordings. Listen to these as you do routine activities. Tara, a pioneer and a mother who works a night shift, says, “Listening to the audio Bible while doing household chores helps me keep my Bible reading consistent.”

• Persevere. If unexpected circumstances disrupt your plan, read at least a few Bible verses before going to bed. Even a little bit every day goes a long way.​—1 Pet. 2:2.