Catholics praying to saints... Did Jesus ever command this? Does Gods word allow it?

Question

Scripture references?

Some of my answers regarding issues such as these are pretty passionate.

Sometimes I feel badly, but my Faith will not let me keep quiet about the many awful traditions of the RCC which feed the powerful and decietful and blind the humble and faithful.

Modern day Pharisees.

I must stop asking and answering these Catholic questions. Enough is enough.

It is all staring at the window instead of looking through it, and in the end is counter productive.

But I can assure you that if God strengthens my faith in this matter I will rebuke these in His name from the highest mountaintop.

Answer 1

Certainly the Bible teaches that we are to pray for each other out of love for one another. Why would anyone think that praying for one another is unBiblical?

The Bible states that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1-2) who care for us (Luk 15:7) and desire that we endure in our faith. In Rev 5:8 we learn that the saints in heaven offer our prayers before God's throne, Rev 8:3-4.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

John W,

I know that you do not believe that the Bible teaches that we are to pray for each other but I feel lead to pray for you that you be released from this spirit of contention that consumes you and blinds you to the teaching of our Lord and Savior. May the Holy Spirit prevail in opening your eyes to the teaching of Scripture and bring you in communion with the entire church Militant, Suffering and Triumphant. May the saints encourage you to endure in your faith. May your passion not cease but be directed at building up the body of Christ through a love for His Church instead of hatred.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Answer 2

Jesus said we should love one another and we pray for one another (see 2 Th 1:11 and 2 Th 3:1 giving instruction on "we pray for you always" and "pray for us"). Scripture also tells us; my God is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living (Mark 12:26-27). Therefore, if we as Christians never really die, we just change address. The Christians and Saints in heaven are not dead and they can offer intercessory prayer for us just as other people here on earth can.

Prayer to a saint in heaven is simply asking for their prayers for us.... it is not Worship. Catholics see this as being no different than you asking for the prayers of friends and family or fellow church-goers when you're experiencing a time of crisis.

Also see Mark 9:4 where Jesus himself, during the Transfiguration, converses with Elijah and Moses. Two mortal men who lived in Old Testament days who are apparently still alive in heaven; descended from heaven to speak with Christ on the mountain top.

And what about John's vision when writing Revelation 6:9-11 telling of the martyrs under the alter asking for earthly vindication? Aren't these living Christians residing in heaven?

This practice does have Biblical basis and is not a made-up man-made ritual. There are other places that support this as well but if I get too lengthy, it will not be read. May God Bless

Answer 3

Hi John..i believe rukidding has cleared up the confusion of who Catholics pray to...God i believe.
So my answer to the Q is they don't pray to the Saints......

I hope you don't mind John---a little note for rev kip--it's not up to you, me, or anyone else to tell anyone to repent..it's the Holy Spirits work i believe...and if He doesn't have a problem why would you....
God's richest blessings upon all Catholics....xxx
Shalom

Added:Prayer changes things--condemnation builds resentment on both sides.....

2nd edit: Susan J well said...and pastor billy, you made me **smile** yes we are one body in Christ Hallelujah! Augustine, what a great post, i'm so blessed..

Me again lol---John you say IF God strengthens you in this matter, does this mean you might consider you could be wrong here? sounds like you're not so sure?!---- are you actually listening to people, which is a wise thing to do--we all get things wrong at times--it's also wise to leave judgement and correction to the Holy Spirit--He does it in Love...Bless you brother xx

Answer 4

You could have just searched Y!A for the answer to this one as I have answered it several times. Catholics do not pray to saints. They ask the saints to help them pray to God.
http://matt1618.freeyellow.com/saints.html
http://catholicism.about.com/od/thesaints/f/Pray_to_Saints.htm
Why do so many Christians ask this question and then ignore the true answers and give best answer to another Christian who only agrees with them, thus perpetuating a lie. It doesn't seem like they really want to learn. It also doesn't seem very Christian to me.

Answer 5

The intercession of fellow Christians—which is what the saints in heaven are—also clearly does not interfere with Christ’s unique mediatorship because in the four verses immediately preceding 1 Timothy 2:5, Paul says that Christians should interceed: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and pleasing to God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:1–4). Clearly, then, intercessory prayers offered by Christians on behalf of others is something "good and pleasing to God," not something infringing on Christ’s role as mediator.

Edit. Who are you to judge?

Answer 6

Pastor Billy asks: how do non-Catholics intend on preaching the truth if they keep misrepresenting Catholics? That question btw is for Rev Kip. On to your question did Jesus command prayer for one another? absolutely and that is why non-catholics continually ask me instead of praying straight to God to pray for them. In god's word you can read of the saints in heaven who offer our prayers to God.

The word pray or prayer originally had more than one meaning yet in today's English everyone in America assumes prayer equals worship. To pray to a saint means to ask a saint, to make a request of a saint not to worship a saint. Prayer to saints is something that all Christians should do but are not demanded to do. First Christians do it because Jesus created one body, one Church and in the one body he instructs it is good to pray for one another.

My questions to you, do you believe the body of Christ is actually two separated parts, one in heaven and one on earth?
Do you pray (ask) others on earth to pray for you instead of praying directly to Jesus?
Do you deny the prayers of a righteous man avails much? (in scripture you know)
Do you deny those with the Lord already are not most righteous?

I'll return later

Answer 7

Was raised Catholic and have been praying to Saint Jude for most of my life. No one or no God commanded me to do this and I've never read anything saying it was right or wrong. Why is it you atheists feel so threatened by Christians that you have to constantly challange our faith in God? Who is it commands you?

Answer 8

May i ask why you care what others do>?Thats the beauty of religions,opinons and anatomy.We all show up here with our own and we all belive ours is right.See what i really get from your question is a big"my jesus is better than yours"hidden question.Trolling for anger from someone.but hey thats cool

Answer 9

funny how the Catholics gave scriptural references, yet the other Christians, who are attacking keep insisting that it is wrong. So what part of the bible are they paying attention to? The part that is most comfortable to them? The part that supports their false teachings and fosters anger and hatred toward their brothers in Christ?

Answer 10

From what I understand, they can only pray to their god. Prayers to Mary or any saints can only be for Mary or the saints to in turn pray to god FOR them with the god being the recipient of all prayers then.

Praying to Mary or the saints for favor or guidance or anything is praying to a falsegod and is blasphemous.