Today, in many churches, many Protestants raised prayer concerns for themselves and for family members and others who are suffering from some evil or calamity or illness. They asked the congregation to pray for themselves or for some family member or someone they know. If it is OK for the person sitting next to you in the pew to pray, isn't also OK to ask the Saints who have come before you and even the Virgin Mary to pray as well?
2007-04-29 11:27:19 · 9 answers · asked by Mr Wisdom 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, it is okay and very recommended. Fish (above) said "Dead people can't pray," In response to that, I say saints are not dead. The saints in heaven are alive and with God. Mk 12:26-27 states "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living." Also, in Mark 9:4 Jesus is seen conversing with Elijah and Moses. Jesus tells the theif on the cross next to Him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."(Lk 23:43) The saints in heaven are more alive than we are.
God bless,
Stanbo
2007-04-29 11:48:01 · answer #1 · answered by Stanbo 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
In all major religions, it is stated that God is all knowing and omnipotent. So as he already knows your problems, and those of others, what is the point of reminding him of that he already knows. It is not necessary to pray to God to ask him to help you, or a friend, or a relative etc.
The purpose of prayer is to meditiate on God, not to ask for things, or help. That is why Jesus instructs his disciples to pray using the lords prayer. That is the correct way to pray. It is also not necessary to worship the saints. As the saints are devotees of God, if you worship God, you automatically worship the saints/angels etc.
2007-04-29 18:40:54 · answer #2 · answered by Yoda 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is okay to ask them to pray for you but you cannot ask them to do things for you like: forgive your sins
That kind of power is Gods alone.
A similar practice is present in Islam, but there is a VERY fine line between asking someone to pray for you, and thinking that person ACTUALLY has the power to do things for you.
Thus, the Islamic juristiction has prohibited it and said that we cannot ask anyone dead to pray for us. This was done to prevent the masses from confusing the two.
Because the second one is actually a form of blashphemy and utterly wrong.
2007-04-29 18:33:45 · answer #3 · answered by Antares 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
if you can't see the difference between asking a LIVING person to pray for you and praying to a dead person, you have my sympathies,,,i'm sorry, but it's not possible to talk to dead people...and praying to anyone other than God the Father, as Christ the Son instructed, is at best a waste of time, and at worst, idolatry...
2007-04-29 22:28:40 · answer #4 · answered by spike missing debra m 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rev John, your references to "protestants" are out-dated and out-moded. Generally, folks who focus on the label on the door of a building aren't doing much for the Kingdom.
Most of us today call ourselves Christians, if we are not part of the label crowd. We focus on the Lord Jesus, His word and the word of his chosen ambassadors - the Apostles.
If you can find authority for praying to saints in the scriptures, that is in the words of Christ or his Apostles, you have a valid argument. I was once a Roman Catholic. I understand that you are struggling with what men have taught you. But, you cannot put the teachings of the Popes on the same level as you must put the words of Christ or the Apostles. Pope Benedict has admitted as much in his recent repudiation of the doctrine of pergatory, which was based in medieval mythology and apocryphal writings that Jesus himself never quoted.
In order to follow Christ, Reverend, you must follow HIM. Not the teachings of confused people who didn't even read his word very much. His word is available to you now. So, read it!
1Ti 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"
When we Christians appeal to our fellow citizens in the community of faith to intercede with us, it is only effective if we both "agree" as Christ said. Hence, I must also be praying. The act of intercession then is a joining of our mutual walk of faith. In doing so, we are joining with Christ. Going to any other mediator is to fail to join with Christ.
I suggest you read the entire sermon of Jesus in John 14, 15 and 16. It will give you much understanding in the nature of that relationship. Learn what Jesus taught, and don't be confused by the inclinations of other blind who lead the blind.
Go to Jesus.
2007-04-29 18:47:22 · answer #5 · answered by TEK 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have never understood what the problem was with this
if you believe in prayer and others pray for you ( as you have said )
then why not those closer to God .. i.e the saints etc
I am not Christian ... but I dont see a problem with this
2007-04-29 18:33:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
Dead people can't pray.
2007-04-29 18:31:43 · answer #7 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Talk to God about it. That is what prayer is for.
2007-04-29 18:31:00 · answer #8 · answered by J. 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
YEah its okay, but why not take it to GOD himself. He listens.
2007-04-29 18:30:00 · answer #9 · answered by momof3 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋