Learn The Bible At Home 3

While studying the awe inspiring qualities of Jehovah, many people become apprehensive. They could never reach God, he is too high for them to be able to reach. They feel as though they could not ever be able to get close to God because hei so exalted. Does the Bible actually teach this? Study of the Bible reveals the Bible teaches the exact opposite of such thinking. Acts 17:27 for them to seek God, if they might grope for him and really find him, although, in fact, he is not far off from each one of us. Reading this it appears the Bible is beseeching us to study it. Consider James 4:8 Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts you indecisive ones.It brings great joy to think that God wants us to br close to him. Still, what can I do to become closer to God? The fact that you are reading this means you have taken the first step in becoming closer to God. With continued study of the Bible, God‘s word, you will naturally become closer to God. John 17:3 This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches learning about Jehovah and Jesus Christ leads to everlasting life. We have already discovered that God is love, 1 John 4:16. Furthermore, Jehovah has many other traits that are just as wonderful. Exodus 34:6 is a prime example of this when it says, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth. Jehovah is also good and ready to forgive. Psalm 86:5. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us God is patient. His loyalty is revealed at Revelation 15:4. Jehovah has many other fine traits that will become apparent as you learn the Bible.Being an invisible spirit it is impossible for us to see him. John 1:18, 4:24 1 Timothy 1:17. This fact notwithstanding, by studying the Bible a person will come to know Jehovah as a person. Psalm 27:4 tells we can behold the pleasantness of Jehovah. Romans 1:20 upholds the statement made at Psalm 27:4. As you become more familiar with Jehovah, he will become more real to you, providing more reason to feel love for him and to draw close to him.Further benefit from the Bible is realization of why the Bible teaches us to think of Jehovah as our Father. We were created by Jehovah and he wants our lives to be filled with happiness. Much the same as a loving father here on earth. Review Psalm 36:9. James 2:23 teaches that humans can be friends with God. How great it would be to be God’s friend!As you learn from the Bible a natural inclination to share the knowledge will grow inside. In doing so, you may find some friends that will try to dissuade you from continuing your studies. They may tell you that you will become a different person. Do not let this interfere with the development of the best friendship you could ever have.There will be issues that are difficult to understand. A person can feel humiliated when seeking help. Jesus said it is good to be humble, as a small child. Matthew 18:2-4. As you may well know, children ask many questions. Jehovah wants you to find the answers. The Bible praises those that are eager to learn about God. Review Acts 17:11.

Learn The Bible At Home 2

While we await God to finally end evil forever, it would behoove us to know what God thinks about the injustices faced by mankind. Understanding of the verse at Psalm 37:28 brings the realization that God loves justice. God cares about you as an individual, as well as loving humanity as a whole is conveyed by this verse. He hates every kind of injustice that mankind has ever faced. In ancient times, when wickedness filled the earth, God felt hurt at his heart. Review Genesis 6:5,6. God has not changed. Malachi 3:6. God has always hated the suffering in the world, and he still does. Consider 1 Peter 5:7.If further substantiation is required that the suffering of man is hated by God, continued study of the Bible will provide it. It is taught that man was created in the image of God at Genesis 1:26. Due to this fact man has good qualities because God has good qualities. As an example of such goodness consider this; does it disturb you to see innocent people suffer? If such injustice does disturb you; you can be certain it disturbs God even more.Mankind‘s ability to love is one if its best qualities. God is also reflected by man in this quality. God is love is another of the Bible‘s lessons. 1 John 4:8 Man feels love because he was created in God‘s image. God has promised to bring mankind‘s suffering because of his love for mankind. These promises from God will be fulfilled, they are not pipe dreams. To feel secure in the reality of these promises, however, a person needs to be more aware of the God that has made them.In an effort to get to know a person better a person will often introduce themselves by name and ask that person their name. What better way is there for people to get to know each other? In a sense, this can also be done with God. God‘s name is God or Lord is what is taught by some religions. The fact is God and Lord are titles,as president, king, or pharaoh are also titles, not personal names. The Bible reveals many titles that are unique to God. God and Lord are included in these titles. That God also has a personal name is shown in the Bible. Psalm 83:18 states: That people may know you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth. Some translations of the Bible render Jehovah as God or Lord. The website What Is Gods Name reveals why some versions omit the name of God. The fact of the matter is God’s name, Jehovah, is found thousands of times in both the Hebrew-Aramaic (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament) texts. Realizing this it seems as though Jehovah wants us to know his name, does it not?Jehovah gave himself that name. Jehovah means He Causes To Become. This tells us that God can do whatever it is that he desires. Jehovah’s name is unique, as Jehovah himself is unique. Jehovah’s distinctiveness manifests itself in a variety of ways.We have already seen what Psalm 83:18 says of Jehovah: You alone are the Most High. The Almighty is only used in reference to Jehovah. Revelation 15:3 Great and wonderful are your works, Jehovah God, the Almighty. Righteous and true are your ways, King of eternity. The title the Almighty undeniably states that Jehovah is absolutely the most powerful being in existence. No one can match his power, his power is supreme. Yet another facet of Jehovah‘s exceptionality is seen in the title King of eternity. This title tells us that Jehovah alone has always existed. Psalm 90:2 declares: Even from time indefinite to time indefinite you are God.Another sign of Jehovah’s uniqueness is that he is the Creator. Revelation 4:11 reads as follows: You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because of your will they existed and were created. Jehovah, the Creator, willed everything that is in existence to be and it was. That is awesome!

Learn The Bible At Home

Written by 40 separate authors over a time span covering 1,600 years , the Bible is a composite made of 66 books. To make the Bible easier to reference, it has been divided into chapters and verses. For example: 1 John 5:1 refers to the first letter of John, chapter 5, verse 1.A person will become quickly acclimated with the Bible from finding the verses cited in this publication in their own Bible. By reading the Bible on a daily basis a person will become better acquainted with the Bible. The Bible can be read in a year by reading 3-5 chapters a day. A person should take their time, as even after having read the text in its entirety, the Bible still contains messages that may have been overlooked the first time.It is thought by many that they have learned everything of value contained in the Bible. Still others fear that asking questions concerning the Bible may lead to shame or embarrassment. Many more believe the lessons in the Bible are too difficult to understand. There are many excuses for not studying the Bible.The very persons that balk at studying the Bible are the ones that seem the most interested in finding the answers provided by the Bible. At one point or other everyone seeks the answers to such questions as: What is God like? What is the purpose of life? Asking such questions is good, and diligently seeking the answers to these questions will reveal the answers. At Matthew 7:7 Jesus Christ states, Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you.Rewards can be found in and of the search itself. Consider Proverbs 2:1-5. Here it is stated that if a person continues to study God‘s word the person will come to know the fear of Jehovah and understand the knowledge of God.Many people are confused by the statement the fear of Jehovah, asking why should I fear a loving God? Indeed, why should a person fear a loving God? Lets investigate this question.It is a sentiment common to many people that if God really cared for people he would not allow all the suffering that happens today. Everywhere a person looks they see, war, misery and strife. People injure themselves, get sick and eventually die. If God actually cared about people he would keep such things from occurring, wouldn’t he?Some religious teachers actually teach that God is hardhearted. When tragedy occurs they say things such as, It must have been God‘s will. These teachings lay the blame for all tragedy squarely with God. This, however, is not what the Bible teaches. James 1:13 When under trial, let no one say: I am being tried by God. For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone. This tells the careful student that God is never the source of wickedness encountered in the world. Job 34:10-12 supports the statement of James 1:13. God does allow terrible events to occur, but that is a far cry from causing those things to happen.Luke 15:11-24 provides an example of such a situation. The rebellious son of a wise man decided to leave home. The father did not stop him, rather, he allowed the son to go. After leaving home the young man made some poor decisions and got into trouble. The father allowed it to happen, but the son was the catalyst of his own grief. In the same manner, God has allowed humans to pursue debauchery and other forms of wickedness; however, he is not the cause of any suffering that arises from such decisions. This being the case, it is unjustifiable for mankind to blame God for their troubles.God has reasons for allowing mankind to choose to bad things. Being the wise and powerful Creator, God is not required to reveal his reasoning. Out of his love for us, God does show us his reasoning. The reasons God allows suffering are covered in the article Why Does God Allow Suffering? God is not the cause of the anguish suffered by millions today. Mankind‘s only hope of finding a solution to all the suffering lies with God. Consider Isaiah 33:2.Additionally, God is holy. Isaiah 6:3 and several other verses state this. What this means is God is pure and clean; having no trace of badness. This holiness means we can trust God without reservation. All the damage triggered by the wickedness of mankind cannot be undone by even the best of mankind‘s leaders. In contrast to this, God is all mighty. God can and will reverse all the negative effects of wickedness. As a matter of fact, when God acts, it will be in in a manner that ends evil forever. Psalm 37:9-11.

How Can I Sanctify God's Name When I Do Not Even Know It

Jehovah is the personal name of the only true God. Jehovah created the universe and is its Sovereign Ruler. Translated from the Hebrew Tetragrammaton, הוהי,Jehovah means He Causes to Become. Many languages represent these four Hebrew letters as YHWH or JHWH. Jehovah is accepted as the best English pronunciation, although Hebrew Scholars prefer Yahweh.The Hebrew Consonants for the name of The Almighty are YHWH. These are known without a doubt, although, Hebrew vowel points were not in use at the time of the writing of the original texts of the Bible. Superstition led ancient Jews to quit speaking the name of the Lord. Subsequently, when vowel points were added to the consonantal Hebrew text, the points used in association with the Tetragrammaton pointed the reader to say Adho nai’(Sovereign Lord) or Elo him(God). Hebrew is read from right to left.If Jehovah is the name of God, why then is it left mostly or entirely out of some translations of the Gospel? The preface of the Revised Standard Edition reads as follows: For two reasons the Committee has returned to the more familiar usage of the King James Version: (1) the word Jehovah does not accurately represent any form of the name ever used in Hebrew; and (2) the use of any proper name for the one and only God, as though there were gods from whom he had to be distinguished, was discontinued in Judaism before the Christian era and is entirely inappropriate for the universal faith of the Christian Church.In this manner the Committee of scholars for the Revised Standard Edition‘s view of what is appropriate has been used for the removal of the personal name of the Divine Author of the Holy Bible. This is in the face of the fact that the name of Jehovah appears in the Hebrew text more often than Sovereign Lord or any other title applied to Jehovah. Nevertheless, they do follow the example of the adherents of Judaism, about whom Jesus said, You have made the word of God invalid because of your tradition-Matthew 15:6.Psalm 83:18 That you people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, You alone are the Most High over all the earth.The prior verse is one of only seven that include the name Jehovah in King James’ version of the Holy Scripture. This is in opposition to the Tetragrammaton appearing 6,828 times in the Hebrew text Biblia Hebraica and Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. King James had the Bible rewritten such that it would support his theory of divine right. This is enough to denounce his entire version as an atrocity. One bad apple spoils the barrel. For more information regarding King James click here.It is significant to note the importance given names in the Hebrew scriptures, and by Semitic peoples today. Inspection of the word name in the Old Testament tells us how important a name actually is. A name is more than merely a label, it denotes the real personality of the person to which it belongs.God is a title, not a name. It does not distinguish the god that is being referred to. Example: In the Hebrew scriptures, the same word (Elo him) is applied to Jehovah and to false gods. This takes place in Judges 16:23 and Samuel 5:7 in reference to the Philistine god Dagon. Also the Assyrian god Nisroch is indicated by the same word at 2 Kings 19:37. This being the case, if a Hebrew told a Philistine or Assyrian that he worshipped God, it would not suitably identify the God of his worship. Of course, in modern translations of the Bible Elohim will be rendered god.Paul was mindful of the personal name of God, Jehovah, as found in the creation account in Genesis from which Paul quoted. The name Jehovah, distinguishes God the Father, thus blocking any attempt at amalgamating his identity and person with that of any other to whom the title of god or father may be applied.There are many reasons to know the name of God. Our primary directive, the sanctification of Jehovah’s name is, indeed, unachievable without the knowledge of His name. A personal relationship with our creator is impersonal when He is addressed strictly as God or Lord. This is not to suggest He should be respected less. On the contrary, knowing Jehovah’s name and what it means, He Causes to Become, engenders the utmost respect.

Christmas Dinner More Than Just Heratburn

Teaching a child that gifts are brought to good children by Saint Nick, which is a lie, is teaching that child to sin. This teaches the values of Satan at an early age.

The observation of christmas is not a Divine Command, furthermore, there is no scriptural evidence supporting the celebration of christmas. It is impossible to determine Jesus Christ‘s actual birthday from the New Testament, or any other source.

Luke 2:8-11 There were also in that same country shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks. And suddenly Jehovah’s angel stood by them and Jehovah’s glory beamed around them and they became fearful, but the angel said to them: Have no fear, for, look! I am declaring to you good news of a great joy that all the people will have, because there was born to you today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in David’s city.

This scripture indicates that the Christ was born in one of the warmer months. As a matter of tradition, the flocks were kept under cover during the winter months. Yet the Gospel unequivocally states “shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks.” This seems an unlikely happenstance in the middle of winter.

The reason December 25 was Chosen for the christmas celebration is uncertain, however, it is widely believed the day was chosen because it coincides with pagan rituals that occur at the time of the winter solstice, or ‘the shortest day of the year‘, after which the days start lengthening. These rituals celebrate the rebirth of the sun.

The Roman Saturnalia, ritualistic celebration dedicated to Saturn the god of agriculture and the strength of the sun, is one such ritual. Pagan followers of Mithra celebrate dies natalis Solis Invicti, birthday of the invincible sun. On December 25, 274 Aurelian declared the sun-god the principal patron of the Roman empire and dedicated a temple to him on the Campus Martius. Furthermore, the origination of christmas occurred during a time in which the cult of the sun was particularly strong in Rome.

The Bible only makes reference to two birthday celebrations. Neither of them were Jesus’ birthday. A note worthy point is they were both the birthdays‘ of pagan participants.

The first birthday celebration is mentioned in the Old Testament at Genesis 40:20-22 which reads: Now on the third day it turned out to be Pharoah’s birthday and he proceeded to make feast for all of his servants and to lift up the head of the chief of the cupbearers and the head of the chief of the bakers in the midst of his servants. Accordingly, he returned the chief of the cupbearers to his post of cupbearer and he continued to give the cup into Pharoah’s hand. But, the chief of the bakers he hung up, just as Joseph had given them the interpretation.

The next birthday is mentioned in the New Testament at Matthew 14:6-10 which reads: But when Herod’s birthday was being celebrated the daughter of Herodias danced at it and it pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Then she, under her mother’s coaching, said: Give me here upon a platter the head of John the Baptist. Grieved though he was, the king out of regard for his oaths and for those reclining with him commanded it to be given; and he sent and had John beheaded in the prison.

Ancient Hebrews considered birthday festivity to be idolatrous worship; which was repulsive to them. The reasoning behind the thought of birthday celebration as idolatrous worship stems from the pagan origins of birthday celebrations. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed everyone has a spirit that was present at their birth and protects them. The spirit has a mystic connection to the god on whose birthday the individual was born. This statement indicates that the birthday being celebrated is not that of the individual, but that of the god. Candles, or tapers in ancient times, were employed as a means to pacify the particular god who would then bestow good health and prosperity for the next year upon the participant.

When the knowledge of the origin of the birthday celebration is combined with the fact that christmas is not mentioned in the Bible, even once, and the thought that ancient Jews, which includes Jesus Christ, found birthday celebrations repugnant it becomes painfully apparent that christmas is a horrible practice.

Can Jesus Be The Archangel Michael

The meaning of the name Michael is, Who Is Like God? Michael and Gabriel are the only holy angels named in the Bible, and Michael is the only one termed archangel. The name Michael first appears in the tenth chapter of Daniel. In this occurrence, Michael is described by a lesser angel that he had come to the aid of as one of the foremost princes.

Daniel 10:13,20,21 But the prince of the royal realm of Persia was standing in opposition to me for twenty-one days, and, look! Michael, one of the foremost princes, came to help me; and I, for my part, remained there beside the kings of Persia. So he went on to say: Do you really know why I have come to you? And now I shall go back to fight with the prince of Persia. When I am going forth, look! also the prince of Greece is coming. However, I shall tell you the things noted down in the writing of the truth, and there is no one holding strongly with me in these things but Michael, the prince of you people.

Daniel 12:1 And during that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of the sons of your people. And there will certainly occur a time of distress such as not been made to occur since there came to be a nation until that time. And during that time your people will escape, every one who is found written down in the book.

Additionally, Michael is given the title prince of you people. This is suggestive of Michael being the angel who led the Israelites through the wilderness.

Exodus 23:20-23 Here I am sending an angel ahead of you to keep you on the road and to bring you into the place that I have prepared. Watch yourself because of him and obey his voice. Do not behave rebelliously against him, for he will not pardon your transgression; because my name is within him. However, if you strictly obey his voice and really do all that I speak, then I shall certainly be hostile to your enemies and harass those that harass you. For my angel will go ahead of you and will indeed bring you to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, and I shall certainly efface them.

Exodus 32:34 And now, come, lead the people to where I have spoken to you of. Look! My angel will go ahead of you, and on the day of my bringing punishment I shall certainly bring punishment upon them for their sin.

Exodus 33:2 And I will send an angel ahead of you and drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, and the Hittites and the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites…

The dispute between Satan and Michael over the body of Moses described in Jude 9 provides proof of Michael pro-actively showing he cares about the plight of the Ancient Israelites, his formidability due to the fact he kept the body of Moses and his obeisance to Jehovah because he refused to speak abusively.

Jude 9 But when Michael the archangel had a difference with the Devil and was disputing about Moses’ body, he did not dare to speak in abusive terms, but said: May Jehovah rebuke you.

The Bible indicates that the name Michael was the name of Jesus Christ subsequent to his coming to earth and after his return to heaven. Archangel means chief angel or principal angel, and Michael is the only one called archangel. The implication being there is only one that God has designated chief of the angelic host.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 because the Lord will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first.

Luke 2:11 because there was born to you today a savior who is Christ the Lord, in David's city.

The verse at 1 Thessalonians 4:16 directly states the Lord has an archangel’s voice. Luke 2:11, along with many other verses, declares Jesus is Lord, so we know that Jesus is the one being referenced in the verse. Additionally, who could have an archangel’s voice other than an archangel? As previously mentioned there is only one archangel. Therefore, if Jesus has an archangel’s voice, and Michael is the only archangel does logic not suggest the two are actually the same being?

Further evidence identifying Jesus Christ as also being the archangel Michael is provided via examination of Daniel 10:13, Daniel 11:40 and Daniel 12:1. The first mention of Michael is made at Daniel 10:13. Daniel wrote prophecy pertaining to the time of the end in verse at Daniel 11:40. Subsequently, at Daniel 12:1, he wrote, And during that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of the sons of your people And there will certainly be a time of distress such as not been made to occur since there came to be a nation until that time. The time in which Michael is to stand up is linked to distress as not been made to occur previously. In Daniel’s prophecy, standing up is often used to refer to the action of a king, either assuming his role as royal power or effectively exercising his authority as king. This provides additional substantiation that Jesus and Michael are actually the same being due to the fact that Jesus is Jehovah’s appointed king, whose role it is to destroy all the nations at Armageddon.

Through the book of Revelation Michael is candidly linked to the institution of God‘s kingdom and associates woe for the earth (due to Satan being hurled down to it) along with it.

Revelation 12:7-12 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled but it did not prevail, neither was a place found for them any longer in heaven. So the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven say: Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God! And they conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because the word of their witnessing, and they did not love their souls even in the face of death. On this account be glad you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea because the Devil has come down to you, knowing he has a short period of time.

Later in the book of Revelation, at 19:11-16 Jesus Christ is portrayed as the leader of the heavenly armies warring against the nations of the earth.

Revelation 12:11-16 And I saw the heaven opened, and, look! A white horse. And the one seated upon it is called Faithful and True, and he judges and carries on war in righteousness. His eyes are a fiery flame, and upon his head are many diadems. He has a name written that no one knows but himself, and he is arrayed with an outer garment sprinkled with blood, and he is called The Word of God. Also, the armies that were in heaven were following him on white horses, and they were clothed in white, clean, fine linen. And out of his mouth there protrudes a sharp long sword, that he may strike the nations with it, and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron. He treads too the winepress of the anger of the wrath of God the Almighty. And upon his outer garment, even upon his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

It is easy enough to connect woe for the earth and sea caused by the Devil after being cast from heaven to the time of distress linked to Michael’s standing up. Realizing that the Son of God is to battle the nations, it is a sensible assumption that he was the one, with his angels, who had previously battled with the dragon, Satan the Devil, and his angels.

John 1:1 In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.

Acts 9:5 He [Saul] said: Who are you lord? He [Jesus] said: I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

John 1:1 illustrates during the pre-human existence of Jesus, he was called the Word. The evidence presented previously in this article suggests that Michael was his personal name, prior to his human life. Retaining the name Jesus after his resurrection at Acts 9:5 the Word offers proof he is the Son of God on earth. When Jesus reassumes being called Michael and his title, The Word of God, (Revelation 19:13), he associates himself to his pre-human existence. The fact that the name Michael queries, Who Is Like God?, is indicative that Jehovah is unequaled and Michael the archangel is his great Vindicator. Which was the role of Jesus Christ in his 33 ½ years on earth.

The information available in this article viewed as a whole gives adequate evidence to believe that Michael the archangel is Jesus Christ. Jesus existed prior to his appearance on the earth. This requires a name for to him be distinguished by. It could have been any name, but evidence suggets God chose Michael. The fact that Jesus told Peter to change his name from Simon to Peter, and Saul became Paul is suggestive that Jesus himself may have had a name change.

Are Your Prayers Up To Code?

Many people feel as though their prayers go unanswered for one reason or another. As a result, questions regarding what prayer is acceptable and whose prayer is acceptable come to mind. These answers and others pertaining to prayer can be found in the Bible, if conscientious study is applied.Psalm 65:2 O Hearer of prayer, even to you people of all flesh will come.Acts 10:34,35 At this Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘For a certainty I perceive that God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.These two verses inform a student that a person’s ethnicity, national background, economic situation or any other such issue makes no difference when a person petitions God with prayer. What God cares about are the stimuli in a person’s heart and the manner in which said person lives his life.For a prayer to be acceptable to God, there are certain criteria that must be met. Criteria? God has standards for prayer a person is expected to meet? Indubitably, for a prayer to be pleasing to God it must conform to standards that the Bible relays to us. Reflect upon these verses for examples of God’s standards for prayer.Luke 11:2-4 Then he [Jesus] said to them: ‘Whenever you pray, say, ‘Father, let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. Give us our bread according to the day’s requirement. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone that is in debt to us; and do not bring us into temptation.In this verse Jesus clearly states: say, Father let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. This tells us to pray directly to Jehovah, or God, not to a saint, or an angel or anyone else. While saints are definitely special people, they are not worthy of our worship, for somewhere along the line they too have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.John 14:6, 14 Jesus said to him: ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you ask anything in my name I will do it.’Here, Jesus tells us all things are possible through him, and without him there is nothing. We are also informed there is no way to approach the Father except through Jesus. Due to our sinful nature, we are unable to reach the Father without Jesus acting as intercessor. For this reason, our prayers should end thusly: In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.1 John 5:14, 15 And this is the confidence we have toward him, that, no matter what it is that we ask according to his will, he hears us. Further, if we know he hears us respecting whatever we are asking, we know we are to have the things asked since we have asked them of him.It is tremendously liberating to have the assurance of anything we ask according to his will he hears and will give to us. The next standard lies therein; according to his will. To be sure his requests are in agreement with God’s will, a petitioner must know the will of God. Thorough study of the Bible will reveal God‘s will to those seeking it.1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of Jehovah are upon the righteous ones, and his ears are toward their supplication; but the face of Jehovah is against those doing bad things.Those that take the time to study the Bible find that it conveys the knowledge of what is righteous and what is bad.1 John 3:22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we are observing his commandments and are doing the things that are pleasing in his eyes.Proverbs 28:9 He that is turning his ear from hearing the law [of God]-even his prayer is something that is detestable.Support for 1 John 5:14, 15 is found in 1 John 3:22 which adds that by observing his commandments a person will be doing what is pleasing to Jehovah. Proverbs 28:9 shows a person that it requires more than simply saying the right thing in the right way, but actually living in a manner acceptable to God is a must if we desire our prayers to be heard by God.Isaiah 55:6,7 Search for Jehovah, you people, while he may be found. Call to him while he proves to be near. Let the wicked man leave his way, and the harmful man his thoughts, and let him return to Jehovah, who will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will forgive in a large way.Matthew 6:5 When you pray you must not be as the hypocrites; because they like to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the broad ways to be visible to men. Truly I say to you, They are having their reward in full.Luke 18:9-14 But he spoke this illustration also to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and considered the rest as nothing. Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and began to pray these things to himself, O God, I thank you that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give the tenth of all things I acquire. But the tax collector standing at a distance was not willing even to raise his eyes heavenward, but kept beating his breast, saying, O God, be gracious to me a sinner. I tell you, This man went down to his home proved more righteous than that man; because everyone that exalts himself will be humiliated, but he that humbles himself will be exalted.In the two preceding sets of verse a person learns that those who pray in a manner such that it is a show for men to prove themselves in front of man are not praying to God, but to themselves. Why would a person expect Jehovah to hear a prayer that is not even directed to him. For more information on this subject see, Breaking The Quasi Christian Chain.Isaiah 42:8 I am Jehovah. That is my name; and no one else shall I give my own glory, neither my praise to graven things.A petitioner is reminded that all symbols should be avoided, not used as an aid for prayer, in Isaiah 42:8. Does it seem logical that it would be agreeable to Jehovah for a petitioner to pray before a cross or other such symbol? Additional information on this subject can be found in, Avoid The Cross. 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 upon earth. Give us today our bread for this day; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the wicked one.In this fashion the followers of Jesus have been instructed to pray. Jesus starts by asking for the sanctification of God’s name and then asks for his kingdom to come. Praying for his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven lends additional support to asking for his kingdom to come. He then tells us to supplicate God to provide for us and to forgive us our transgressions. The statement as we forgive our debtors is an action that only God and the petitioner know is or is not done; despite this it is this action that tells God we are worthy of his help because we are doing God‘s will. The prayer finishes by asking for deliverance from the evil one. This prayer is a special case in which ending with in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen is not absolutely necessary. This is due to the fact these are Jesus’ words, so, if they are used for prayer God is already aware that Jesus is the one acting as intercessor. All these are in harmony with his words at Luke 11:2-4.When a petitioner follows these guidelines, they are certain to have prayer that is acceptable to God.