OK are you suppossed to pray to the saints, because i thought that praying to anything but anyone but God was considered worshipping other people besides God, and that's against the 10 commandments. Will anyone please explain this to me? PS do you pray freely to them, like you do to God, or do you pray already-thought-out prayers, if so, can someone send me a link? Thanks! ^_^
2007-09-09 12:35:17 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I ask for the prayers OF the Saints - for their intercession, for their "mediation"....just as I might ask you or any Christian...a member of the Body of Christ, to pray FOR me:
Matt. 5:44-45 - Jesus tells us to pray for (to mediate on behalf of) those who persecute us. God instructs us to mediate.
Matt. 17:1-3; Mark 9:4; Luke 9:30-31 – deceased Moses and Elijah appear at the Transfiguration to converse with Jesus in the presence of Peter, James and John (these may be the two “witnesses” John refers to in Rev. 11:3). Nothing in Scripture ever suggests that God abhors or cuts off communication between the living in heaven and the living on earth. To the contrary, God encourages communication within the communion of saints. Moses and Elijah’s appearance on earth also teach us that the saints in heaven have capabilities that far surpass our limitations on earth.
Matt. 26:53 – Jesus says He can call upon the assistance of twelve legions of angels. If Jesus said He could ask for the assistance of angel saints – and He obviously would not have been worshiping them in so doing – then so can we, who need their help infinitely more than Jesus, and without engaging in idolatry. And, in Matt. 22:30, Jesus says we will be “like angels in heaven.” This means human saints (like the angel saints) can be called upon to assist people on earth. God allows and encourages this interaction between his family members.
Matt. 27:47,49; Mark 15:35-36 – the people believe that Jesus calls on Elijah for his intercession, and waits to see if Elijah would come to save Jesus on the cross.
Matt. 27:52-53 - at Jesus' passion, many saints were raised and went into the city to appear and presumably interact with the people, just as Jesus did after His resurrection.
Mark 11:24 - Jesus says that whatever we ask in prayer, we will receive it. It is Jesus, and also we through Jesus, who mediate.
John 2:3 - Jesus knew the wine was gone, but invites and responds to Mary's intercession. God desires our lesser mediation and responds to it because He is a living and loving God.
John 2:5 - Mary intercedes on behalf of those at the wedding feast and tells them to do whatever Jesus tells them. Because Mary is our perfect model of faith, we too intercede on behalf of our brothers and sisters.
John 2:11 - in fact, it was Mary's intercession that started Jesus' ministry. His hour had not yet come, yet Jesus responds to Mary's intercession. Even though He could do it all by Himself, God wants to work with His children.
Acts 12:7 – an angel strikes Peter on the side and wakes him up, freeing him from prison. The angel responds to Peter’s prayers.
Rom. 15:30 - Paul commands the family of God to pray for him. If we are united together in the one body of Christ, we can help each other.
2 Cor. 1:11 - Paul even suggests that the more prayers and the more people who pray, the merrier! Prayer is even more effective when united with other's prayers.
2 Cor. 9:14 - Paul says that the earthly saints pray for the Corinthians. They are subordinate mediators in Christ.
2 Cor. 13:7,9 - Paul says the elders pray that the Corinthians may do right and improve. They participate in Christ's mediation.
Gal. 6:2,10 - Paul charges us to bear one another's burdens, and to do good to all, especially those in the household of faith.
Eph. 6:18 - Paul commands the family of God to pray for each other.
Eph. 6:19 - Paul commands that the Ephesians pray for him. If there is only one mediator, why would Paul ask for their prayers?
Phil. 1:19 - Paul acknowledges power of Philippians' earthly intercession. He will be delivered by their prayers and the Holy Spirit.
Col. 1:3 - Paul says that he and the elders pray for the Colossians. They are subordinate mediators in the body of Christ.
Col. 1:9 - Paul says that he and the elders have not ceased to pray for the Colossians, and that, by interceding, they may gain wisdom.
Col. 4:4 - Paul commands the Colossians to pray for the elders of the Church so that God may open a door for the word. Why doesn't Paul just leave it up to God? Because subordinate mediation is acceptable and pleasing to God, and brings about change in the world. This is as mysterious as the Incarnation, but it is true.
1 Thess. 5:11 - Paul charges us to encourage one another and build one another up, in the body of Christ. We do this as mediators in Christ.
1 Thess. 5:17 - Paul says "pray constantly." If Jesus' role as mediator does not apply subordinately to us, why pray at all?
1 Thess. 5:25 - Paul commands the family of God to pray for the elders of the Church. He desires our subordinate mediation.
2 Thess. 1:11 - Paul tells the family of God that he prays for us. We participate in Christ's mediation because Christ desires this.
2 Thess. 3:1 - Paul asks the Thessalonians to pray for Him, Silvanus and Timothy so that they may be delivered.
1 Tim. 2:1-3 - Paul commands us to pray for all. Paul also states that these prayers are acceptable in the sight of God.
2 Tim. 1:3 – Paul says “I remember you constantly in my prayers.”
Philemon 22 - Paul is hoping through Philemon's intercession that he may be able to be with Philemon.
Heb. 1:14 – the author writes, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?”
Hebrews 13:18-19 - the author strongly urges the Hebrews to pray for the elders so that they act desirably in all things.
James 5:14-15- James says the prayer of the priests over the sick man will save the sick man and forgive his sins. This is a powerful example of men forgiving sins and bringing a person to salvation with the sacrament of the sick.
James 5:16 - James instructs us to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another so that we may be healed.
James 5:17-18 - James refers to God's response to Elijah's fervent prayer for no rain. He is teaching us about the effectiveness of our earthly mediation.
1 John 5:14-15 - John is confident that God will grant us anything we ask of God according to His will.
1 John 5:16-17 - our prayers for others even calls God to give life to them and keep them from sinning. Our God is a personal and living God who responds to our prayers.
3 John 2 - John prays for Gaius' health and thus acts as a subordinate mediator.
Rev. 1:4 – this verse shows that angels (here, the seven spirits) give grace and peace. Because grace and peace only come from God, the angels are acting as mediators for God.
Rev. 5:8 - the prayers of the saints (on heaven and earth) are presented to God by the angels and saints in heaven. This shows that the saints intercede on our behalf before God, and it also demonstrates that our prayers on earth are united with their prayers in heaven. (The “24 elders” are said to refer to the people of God – perhaps the 12 tribes and 12 apostles - and the “four living creatures” are said to refer to the angels.)
Rev. 6:9-11 – the martyred saints in heaven cry out in a loud voice to God to avenge their blood “on those who dwell upon the earth.” These are “imprecatory prayers,” which are pleas for God’s judgment (see similar prayers in Psalm 35:1; 59:1-17; 139:19; Jer. 11:20; 15:15; 18:19; Zech.1:12-13). This means that the saints in heaven are praying for those on earth, and God answers their prayers (Rev. 8:1-5). We, therefore, ask for their intercession and protection.
Rev. 8:3-4 – in heaven an angel mingles incense with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne of God, and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God. These prayers “rise up” before God and elicit various kinds of earthly activity. God responds to his children’s requests, whether made by his children on earth or in heaven.
2007-09-09 12:42:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 2⤋
Catholics believe that the saints can be used as intermediaries in prayer. You are not so much praying to them, as petitioning them to intercede on your behalf with God.
Each saint has his/her own domain of influence.
When I was a child and we lost things our prayers went to St Anthony
Dear St Anthony
Please come around
Something's lost
And must be found.
Other branches of Christianity sometimes see the veneration of saints as a form of idolatry. Your personal beliefs are up to you.
If you are into candle burning there is a book out by Raymond Buckland that has specific prayers and candleburning rituals. They are written in two formats, one to the Catholic saints, the other to pagan gods/goddesses. This can be found in most bookstores in the metaphysical aisle.
There are a number of prayers available on the internet (these are specifically Catholic). See the links below.
2007-09-09 19:51:13 · answer #2 · answered by Brhee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a saints season ticket holder so I feel I'm well qualified to answer this question.
Your don't actually pray to the saint. You ask the saint to intercede with god to answer your prayers. Its kind of like you know the mayors son and you need a favor from the mayor. If you go to the mayor yourself, his henchmen kick you out of City Hall but his son already is in so he has the big guys ear. Understand?
2007-09-09 19:43:08 · answer #3 · answered by Village Player 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Praying to Saints in any religion is indirectly praying and paying attentions to their achievements from their devotion to God, so it is indirectly a prayer to God. Still when prayed to directly its most effective and clear. Saints guided people and were seen as teachers and idols thats why they are respected.
2007-09-09 19:45:49 · answer #4 · answered by Blessing 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Prayer is a form of communication. We arn't worrshiping them when we pray to them. When we pray to Saint we are asking them to pray to God for us just like you would ask your friends to pray for you. They have stronger prayer because they are already with God in heaven. It really isn't as complicated as many people think. I hope this explained it for you!
2007-09-09 20:55:45 · answer #5 · answered by pepgurli 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Before Jesus Christ died for our sins and opened the gates of heaven there were no saints in heaven. Therefore there are no Old Testament writings that would mention them.
Very few of the new Christians died before most of the New Testament was written. Therefore there is little in the Bible about asking saints to pray for us.
However the last book of the Bible does talk about the saints in heaven praying.
Revelation 5:8: Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones.
Revelation 8:3-4: He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne. The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the hand of the angel.
The Holy Spirit guided the early Church in many things not explained in the Bible including how does the Body of Christ (believers) living on Earth relate to the Body of Christ (saints) living in heaven. We are still one Body.
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.
Asking others to pray for you whether your loved ones on Earth or your loved ones in heaven is always optional.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 946 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p5.htm#946
With love in Christ.
2007-09-09 22:58:34 · answer #6 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Praying is not worshiping. You can ask saints for mkiracles and pray to them, but you dont take in their blood or body in church. Saints worship God.
2007-09-09 19:39:47 · answer #7 · answered by chiquita 5 · 7⤊ 0⤋
It is not at all the same as praying to God.
Catholics do not pray to the saints in worship, but rather to ask the saints to pray for us.
There is nothing idolatrous or blasphemous about it.
If you believe in life everlasting, you will understand.
For instance, when saying the rosary, it goes "Hail Mary, full of grace.....pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, amen.'
2007-09-09 19:57:28 · answer #8 · answered by maxmom 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I am Catholic, and we do NOT pray TO the saints... a lot of people really mix that up.
we ASK them to help us follow their holy life, and if it is God's will, they will work to help us.
so no, we do not pray to saints.
ps
i love the saints because there are so many of them and every saint has a different life story, and they can help us in our life.
2007-09-09 19:49:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
The bible says to pray to Jesus for intersession it does mention anything about praying to saints Who are the saints? It is my understanding who has done everything God ask them to do and done it perfect Who is perfect on earth.When you ask for them to intercede for you are praying. Man has translate the bible different why they do I do know. You haft to read the bible and pray to Jesus to give you the answer.
2007-09-09 21:20:19 · answer #10 · answered by sharon g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
heres what the bible says about WHO saints are.
http://cf.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=saints&Version=NKJV&sf=5
http://cf.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=saints&version=NKJV&page=2
http://cf.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=saints&version=NKJV&page=3
http://cf.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=saints&version=NKJV&page=4
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Mat 6:6 "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.[fn2]
Mat 6:7 "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Mat 6:8 "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
Mat 6:9 "In this manner, therefore, pray:
insert lords prayer.
2007-09-09 19:45:36 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋