Mention of Jesus vs. F&DS in Public Prayers at JW Meetings

This post is not seeking to make some huge doctrinal point, rather to simply offer a brief comment on what can happen, almost subliminally, in the accepted culture of a religion.

If you listen to the prayers offered at public meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses, you will hear some mention of the "faithful and discreet slave" or the Governing Body in a significant percentage of them. Granted, praying for those in positions of oversight or leadership is not wrong in itself. For example, in both 2 Thessalonians 3:1 and Hebrews 13:18 Paul requests that his brothers "carry on prayer" for them. Based on that, given JW belief, I see nothing wrong with prayerful requests for God to guide or bless the efforts of the Faithful and Discreet Slave or the Governing Body. One could construe such requests as sincere, respectful and honest pleadings that God direct them in rendering decisions concerning any one of a number of weighty and serious matters that affect the brotherhood of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Often, however, the prayers are not of that nature. Instead, they tend to be laudatory expressions such as "how grateful we are that you have provided the . . ." or "thank you for the provisions of the . . ." or "how grateful we are for the counsel and direction of . . ." and so forth.

In contrast, I have found it comparatively rare to hear any acknowledgment of all of Jesus in such prayers. For the fact that he is our ransomer, and the wonderful acts of love in connection with that gift. For the fact that he is our model and that, by virtue of his life course and teachings, we come to know the Father. (1 Peter 2:21; John 14:9) Or, any reference to the fact that, ultimately, he is our leader. (Matthew 23:10) If asked, I would estimate the ratio of F&DS references vs. references to Jesus in prayers at public meetings, assemblies, or conventions to be 10-to-1 at the very least, possibly even higher.

What I find most fascinating about all this is that I believe the average JW would immediately take notice if they walked into a Catholic church and heard similar prayerful references expressed with respect to "the Pope" or "the College of Cardinals." They would likely be critical of the adulation awarded a man, or group of men. But, I have never once heard a comment from a fellow Witness with respect to such references in the public prayers at our meetings.