in prayer,’ or some similar expression, would be sufficient.

Prayer presented to Jehovah God in the name of Jesus Christ has much power. At mealtimes, prayers of thanks please God and move him to bless the eaters in their use of the sustenance gained. The apostle wrote: “Every creation of God is fine, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified through God’s word [approving of all things God has created for food] and prayer over it.” (1 Tim. 4:4, 5) One not giving thanks to God for his food is unappreciative, and cannot expect the full blessing of God. We do not want to be like animals, unaware of the real Source and Provider of all good things.

Jesus’ half brother James says of the effectiveness of prayer: “A righteous man’s supplication, when it is at work, has much force. Elijah was a man with feelings like ours, and yet in prayer he prayed for it not to rain; and it did not rain upon the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the land put forth its fruit.”​—Jas. 5:16-18.

So there is a great reward in praying to God. Consider the unparalleled blessing that the Roman officer Cornelius received from prayer. (Acts chap. 10) We should, therefore, pray in full faith and confidence. For Jehovah, who gives a name to each of the trillions of stars, is able to hear the prayers of all his hundreds of thousands of worshipers and to give them individual consideration.​—Ps. 147:4.

What Was the Role of the Prophets?

WHEN mention is made of the Hebrew prophets of ancient times, what comes to your mind? Do you think of men who made predictions about the future? Or, do you think primarily of men who urged people to do God’s will?

The ancient Hebrew prophets did, of course, foretell certain events. Yet their prophesying was by no means limited to making predictions. This is evident from the Hebrew term for prophet, na·viʼʹ. In itself that word does not convey the thought of making predictions. Na·viʼʹ means ‘one who pours forth words abundantly’ or ‘one whose speech flows forth.’ The actual use of the term shows that true prophets were spokesmen for God, with effervescent inspired messages. Just what the commission of God’s prophets involved can be better appreciated by comparing their conduct with that of false claimants to the prophetic office.

Consider, for example, the situation in the time of the Hebrew prophet Micah. A tremendous moral breakdown had taken place in Israel and Judah. The leaders were oppressing the people, especially the poor and needy. Judges and priests had an