What is the reason for praying to saints?
2007-04-27 07:41:22 · 23 answers · asked by Sister blue eyes 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Saints, because of their lives of holiness, are seen as being especially close to God. They are intercessors. They pray for us. It's like asking a friend to pray on your behalf, but in this case, the friend is already in heaven, and thus, closer to God.
2007-04-27 07:46:22 · answer #1 · answered by solarius 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Catholics share the belief in the Communion of Saints with many other Christians, including the Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopal, and Methodist Churches.
The Communion of Saints is the belief where all saints are intimately related in the Body of Christ, a family. When you die and go to heaven, you do not leave this family.
Everyone in heaven or on their way to heaven are saints, you, me, my deceased grandmother, Mary the mother of Jesus, Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II.
As part of this family, you may ask your family and friends living here on earth to pray for you. Or, you may also ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Andrew, or your deceased grandmother living in heaven to pray for you.
Prayer to saints in heaven is simple communication, not worship.
And prayer to the saints is optional not required.
With love in Christ.
2007-04-28 01:12:24 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well first, it isn't just Catholics. It is all of the historic groups of Christians (Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Armenians, Copts, etc.) except for Protestants. Asking the saints for their intercession is a basic part of all of historic Christianity, which brings us to the answer for why Christians pray to saints: In order to ask them to pray to God and Christ for us.
Praying to Jesus is absolutely indispensable to the Christian's prayer life. However, asking others to pray with one is entirely appropriate and beneficial. The Apostle Paul set us an example of this by repeatedly asking for others to pray on his behalf.
2007-04-27 14:50:18 · answer #3 · answered by SpiritRoaming 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Pastor Billy says: When Catholic's pray to saints they are making a request for them to pray to Jesus. The scriptures and holy tradition states that a righteous man's prayers avails much before the Lord, who is more righteous than those already with Jesus in heaven? I would also ask those who claim they are already saved are you not still a member of the Body of Christ in once in heaven?
My Evangelical friends continually ask me to pray for them and they will pray for me there is no difference from this and requesting saints to pray for us, it is all intercessory prayer.
For those like Phil who want to talk to the CEO alone I suggest you follow what you preach. It is important to know that there is nothing in Catholic doctrine demanding Catholics to pray to saints.
edit #1 Terri lies? you are the liar you left off the requests of "holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, amen."
Sadly today most Americans do not learn the English language and speak and think a sort of Americanish. The word pray does not = Godly worship only.
2007-04-27 14:48:50 · answer #4 · answered by Pastor Billy 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We believe those in Heaven can pray for us. The original meaning of the word "pray" is to petition or ask. It originally did not mean worship.
Some people have been canonized as saints because of their lives. However, we have the hope that all our love ones are in Heaven. Actually I have asked the intercession of persons I hold dear to pray for the me. It is no different than asking a close friend in this life to pray for you.
2007-04-27 14:46:41 · answer #5 · answered by Shirley T 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Here we go again with all her HATE & jealousy , that little creep by the name of Teri who I just reported for abuse.... First time ever reporting anyone but she appears everywhere with her stupidity and tend to hurt the brains of those who have learnt the joys and powers of using it... as they trained it with "accurate knowledge" and not cut and paste crap...
When will she give up all that anti-catholic bashing........!!!!!!!!!!
Teri You need to lay off the drugs and try living in the real world for awhile. If you truly want to know about God, then quit thinking you already know all you need to know and dismiss the possibility there is a God. Find a good Christian church (I would suggest Catholic Church ) and study what they believe. Then and only then could you make an informed decision about what true FAITH is all about. "The truth will set you free "
2007-04-27 18:48:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Praying to saints is one of the many traditions adopted by the Catholic church, along with the celebrations of Christmas, Easter, etc. It's not Bible based, therefore not necessary to do. The only thing the Bible commands is to Pray to the Almighty God (Yahweh, or Jehovah) through Jesus (Yeshua). This is the acceptable way to pray.
2007-04-27 14:52:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
we don't pray to anyone but god
we simply ask the saints and others to pray on our behalf as well
you know like an extra boost kinda thing
2007-04-27 14:49:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is your defination of praying ? In praying, people ask for favors, or give thanks for food or favors received. In short, praying is simply an imaginary conversation with your God.
Now, if praying is an imagionary conversation with God, what would be wrong with having this conversation with God's friends ? To "pray " to St. Whoever takes nothing away from anyone. What's the problem ?
Sorry, I'm non-religious - - -just an opinion.
2007-04-27 14:55:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
We pray to all the Saints, because they are in closeness to God and we all could use more help for someone to offer our prayers to. bettyk
2007-04-27 14:46:32 · answer #10 · answered by elisayn 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋