Some Christians say that praying to anyone other than God directly is a sin. As a Catholic, raised to pray to Mary and other saints to ask them to intercede/pray for us, I wondered what the basis for this belief is.
I am just curious, for my own theological growth, not looking to start a fight, so only civil answers, please.
2007-10-09 09:03:05 · 8 answers · asked by Amanda P 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, I have indeed "heard of" the Our Father/Lord's Prayer. But did Jesus say, "Here's an example of how to pray." or "You can only pray in this way or else you're sinning."?
2007-10-09 09:21:17 · update #1
The intercession of the saints. "Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness. . . . They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus . . . . So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped."
"We worship Christ as God's Son; we love the martyrs as the Lord's disciples and imitators, and rightly so because of their matchless devotion towards their king and master. May we also be their companions and fellow disciples!"
Saint Paul says - "Imitate me as I imitate christ"
2007-10-09 09:50:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The basis of the idea of intercession? It is based on the biblical example of Mary's intercession at the Wedding Feast in Cana (John 2:1-11). Mary notices that the couple has run out of wine, so she asks Jesus to help them (vs 2) and he does.
Christians say it is wrong but they have no valid reason as to why. It is just a cheap attack on Catholicism. They themselves are guilty of the same thing whenever they pray for a person other then themselves. If a pastor or congregation prays for Miss Smitty down the street then they are a channel in which to ask god to intercede on Miss Smitty's behalf. It is the same thing, but people would rather point the finger then actually take a moment to think about it.
2007-10-09 09:05:43 · answer #2 · answered by alana 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While the Bible does not say there is only one way to pray, I believe that when Jesus died on the cross, and the two ton certain split down the middle between the Holy and the Holy of Holy's in the Temple. That was a sign that we can now go to God in prayer on a one on one bases. However if you feel better praying through many Saints, as long as you have excepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior then I don't see anything wrong with it.
2007-10-09 19:39:57 · answer #3 · answered by Preacher's Daughter 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Praying to and praying for someone is different. If you are praying to God for someone that is one thing. Praying to "not God" for someone is another. Also, Matthew 6:7-8 :But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask him."
If you are a practicing Catholic you are well aware of how repetitious praying the rosary is. Personally, I think there is some irony in the idea that Catholics and Christians alike miss the point that it is possible to disagree about what is "right" or "holy" to the point that they forfeit God's greatest commandment. "Love one another."
2007-10-09 09:40:35 · answer #4 · answered by lexi8998 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most non-Catholic Christians will tell you that Jesus instructed us to ONLY pray to God, but they cannot provide scripture for this.
Non-Catholic Christians also make the mistake in assuming that all prayer is worship. They are ignorant that there are prayers of praise, worship, thanksgiving, petition, and intercession. The first four are always directed to God alone.
The last is directed towards the saints.
The basis for prayers of intercession can be found in the many times that Paul asked for others to pray for him. These were prayers of intercession. Since God is God of the living, those in Heaven have everlasting life and are available to pray for us.
2007-10-09 09:07:32 · answer #5 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Necromany, divination, sorcery and witchcraft which all are communicating with the dead is forbidden by the Lord. Mary and the saints are dead. Christians do not communicate with the dead, not for prayer and not for help. Communication with the dead is communication with evil spirits because man cannot communicate with dead people - only evil spirits. These evil spirits do not die and they can portray and sound like dead family members. Many evil spirits inhabited dead family members and in your ancestors before them. That is why the Bible calls them familiar spirits.
The apparitions of Mary greatly bother me, because evil spirits can make you sick and then leave and make you well. This Satanic group is capable of great things and they can even fool the very elect as the Bible so tells us.
Acts 16:16-24 shows a woman possessed with an evil spirit who was capable of making money for her masters by soothsaying (fortune-telling). The evil spirits can even speak through the person's voice.
2007-10-09 09:40:01 · answer #6 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you ever herd of the model prayer offer by Jesus himself? It is in every gospel and it starts with "You should pray then this way; Our Father who art in Heaven"
2007-10-09 09:14:35 · answer #7 · answered by Old guy 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
2007-10-09 09:12:29 · answer #8 · answered by His eyes are like flames 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋