If we do not receive what we asked for in prayer, we might ask ourselves, ‘Am I praying for the right thing?’ Often, we think that we know what is best for us. But the things we ask for may not benefit us in the long run. If we are praying about a problem, there may be a better solution to the problem than the one we are asking for. And some things we ask for may not be in harmony with Jehovah’s will. (1 John 5:14) For instance, consider the example of parents who asked Jehovah to keep their child in the truth. That seems like an appropriate request. Yet, Jehovah will not force any of us to serve him. He wants all of us, including our children, to choose to worship him. (Deut. 10:12, 13; 30:19, 20) So the parents could instead ask Jehovah to help them reach their child’s heart so that he will be moved to love Jehovah and to become His friend.​—Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4. w23.11 49:5, 12

Why is giving comfort to others an important expression of our love? According to a Bible reference work, the word that Paul used for “comfort” means “standing beside a person to encourage him when he is undergoing severe testing.” Thus, by giving comfort, we help a fellow believer who is in distress to get up and to continue walking on the road to life. Each time we offer a brother or a sister a shoulder to cry on, we express our love for our fellow believer. (2 Cor. 7:6, 7, 13) Feeling compassion and giving comfort are closely related. In what way? A compassionate person is moved to comfort others and to try to relieve their suffering. So first we feel compassion; then we give comfort. Note how Paul connects Jehovah’s compassion to the comfort He gives. Paul describes Jehovah as “the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort.”​—2 Cor. 1:3. w23.11 47:8-10

All followers of Christ can expect tribulation. Consider the apostle Paul’s example. He said to those in Thessalonica: “When we were with you, we used to tell you in advance that we would suffer tribulation, and that is what has happened.” (1 Thess. 3:4) And to the Corinthians, he wrote: “We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the tribulation we experienced . . . We were very uncertain even of our lives.” (2 Cor. 1:8; 11:23-27) Christians today, too, can expect tribulation of some sort. (2 Tim. 3:12) As you put faith in Jesus and follow him, friends and relatives may be hostile. Has your determination to be honest in all things created problems for you at work? (Heb. 13:18) Have you faced governmental opposition because you shared your hope with others? No matter what type of tribulation we may encounter, though, Paul says we should rejoice. w23.12 51:9-10