Q: Recently, I went witnessing. A householder asked for a prayer. As a new Christian, I was confused as to what should I do? As a Jehovah Witness may I do that, in according to bible principle, to pray whenever people request? I did discuss with my elder. When back home, I referred to our book 'Reasoning from the Scriptures', particularly on the topic ' Pray with me first, then give me your message'. The book gives two ways which we can reply. 'Jesus told his disciples not to offer public prayers'.

But I am not really understand it well. The book refers to Mat. 6:5,6:9,10 and also Mat. 10:12,13 and Rev. 21:4. I am grateful if you can give me advice.
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A: When is prayer to our heavenly Father ever inappropriate or wrong? (Prov. 15:8; Eph. 6:18) Could you imagine that Jehovah might be offended if you were to pray to him in the presence of another person, or on behalf of another person, even if at the time the other person is an unbeliever? (1 Tim. 2:1-4)

It is a fine opportunity to demonstrate to others, especially to the person you are visiting for the purpose of giving a witness about the true God, that Jehovah is indeed real to you, a loving father in every sense of the word who cares about his children; that he is a hearer of prayer; and that the other person too can enjoy a relationship with Him. (Psalms 65:2) That is not having fellowship with someone else's worship and religion; but rather the other person is sharing with you in true worship. (Matt. 10:11-14; Acts 16:13-15, 30-34) The householder may ask you to say a prayer because he may recognize you as a man of God; and will Jehovah not listen to that prayer? Will he not actually bless your meeting together with his holy spirit? Of course he will! (Matt. 18:20) Prayer is a powerful witness in itself, because you are calling upon Jehovah, the only true God, who is the father of all men. All mankind are his children, but only a very few of them listen to him and obey him. That is what you might want to include in your brief prayer. (Acts 17:29-31; 8:26-38)

What if, on the other hand, the other person wants to offer the prayer, including in behalf of you? Then you might want to tell him that you pray only to Jehovah God and therefore you cannot join in prayers that are not directed to Him. Also, God tells us that if we want him to listen to our prayers, then we must first listen to him. (Prov. 28:9; Isaiah 1:15-17; Zech. 7:13) Since you are in his home, he of course has the right to pray if he wants to; but you can use the opportunity to offer to teach him how to pray, just as the disciples asked of Jesus, and doing so in Jesus' name. (Luke 11:1; John 14:13,14; 16:23)

I'm glad you are among the ones who listen to Jehovah, and that you are moved to tell others about him; and I'm sure that he will bless your sacred service! (Eph. 4:6; 2:1-3; 2 Cor. 9:11-14; Rev. 7:15-17)
 

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