What the Bible says: “‘I will become a father to you, and you will become sons and daughters to me,’ says Jehovah.” (2 Corinthians 6:18) God wants you to become his close friend. Prayer is one way to do this. Jehovah invites you to “pray constantly.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) He is eager to hear your inner thoughts and concerns. (Philippians 4:6) When you pray with your family, they will see how real God is to you.

In addition to talking to God, you need to listen to him. You can do this by studying his Word and Bible-based publications. (Psalm 1:1, 2) Meditate on what you learn. (Psalm 77:11, 12) Listening to God also requires that you regularly attend Christian meetings.​—Psalm 122:1-4.

Speaking to others about Jehovah is another important way to strengthen your relationship with him. The more you do this, the closer you will feel to him.​—Matthew 28:19, 20.

What you can do:

• Set aside time every day to read the Bible and pray
  

• As a family, give spiritual activities priority over entertainment and relaxation

What the Bible says: “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.” (James 4:8) You need to schedule and follow through on a regular program of family worship. (Genesis 18:19) But more is needed. God must be part of your daily life. Strengthen your family’s relationship with God by speaking about him “when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7) Make it your goal to be like Joshua, who said: “As for me and my household, we will serve Jehovah.”​—Joshua 24:15.

What you can do:

• Have a consistent training program that takes into account the needs of each member of your family
  

“"This, then, is how you should pray: "‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,” (Mt 6:9 NIV)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Php 4:6 NIV)

“1 For the director of music. For flutes. A psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. 2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.” (Ps 5:1-2 NIV)

“But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favour; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.” (Ps 69:13 NIV)

Prayer must be offered in Jesus' name; he is the only mediator

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (Joh 15:16 NIV)

“In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (Joh 16:23 NIV)

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” (1Ti 2:5 NIV)

No special posture required

“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.” (Lu 22:39 NIV)

“He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,” (Lu 22:41 NIV)

“After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up."” (Joh 11:11 NIV)

“For you singled them out from all the nations of the world to be your own inheritance, just as you declared through your servant Moses when you, O Sovereign LORD, brought our fathers out of Egypt."” (1Ki 8:53 NIV)

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."” (Mr 11:25 NIV)

Prayer must be accompanied by strong faith in God's Power to answer prayer

“5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;” (Jas 1:5-7 NIV)

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mr 11:24 NIV)

Prayers offered before images or to persons who are now dead will not be answered

“"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."” (Re 1:8 NIV)

“But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” (Ps 73:28 NIV)

“For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us.” (Isa 33:22 NIV)

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ec 12:13 NIV)

“37 Jesus replied: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."” (Mt 22:37-40 NIV)

“14 The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” (Ps 145:14-16 NIV)

“"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.” (Ex 20:4 NIV)

“When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people enquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” (Isa 8:19 NIV)

“"To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.” (Isa 40:25 NIV)

“"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.” (Isa 42:8 NIV)

“"‘Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the LORD your God.” (Le 26:1 NIV)

“so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman,” (De 4:16 NIV)

“"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.” (De 5:8 NIV)

“You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean."” (Ac 17:20 NIV)

“So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one.” (1Co 8:4 NIV)

“The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshipping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk.” (Re 9:20 NIV)

“But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.” (Ps 115:4 NIV)

“they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell;” (Ps 115:6 NIV)