Do you pray for the dead? and if so why?

Answer 1

No, as that is not at all a Biblical practice but a pagan one. R. Catholicism, which took on the form and much of the means of the pagan Roman Empire (replete with a Caeario-papacy), created an amalgamation of Christianity, Judaism, and Paganism, with prayers for the dead being included,.

In no place in any of the 66 books of the Bible, or the Jewish Scriptures which Jesus used that make up the Old Testament, did any one pray for the dead, nor did they pray to anyone else in Heaven but the Lord (praying to a "Queen of Heaven" - supposedly Mary - is also a pagan practice) and there are a lot of prayers in the Bible. http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/BIBLE-PRAYERS.html. This would be a very conspicuous omission, considering the importance of the salvation of souls and the breadth of prayer in Scripture.

As the Bible does not substantiate many of
Rome's practices, they elevate "church tradition" to a place of equality with Scripture, thereby essentially adding to the close canon, which God warns against (Rev. 22:18, 19).

They also placed an extra-Biblical (apocryphal) books within the Jewish canon, which are not to be included in the list of inspired Scripture, as they are of an inferior quality, and were not included in the Jewish Cannon of Jesus day, nether did He quote from them (in the gospels) nor does the rest of the New Testament. Moreover, certain apocryphal writings contain (and thus can promote) serious doctrinal error . ]

Praying for dead is one of them, yet it is only found once in 2 Maccabees 12:39-45), and these were apparently idolaters, and even according to Rome (which promote idolatry), there is not hope for those who die in idolatry, as it is a mortal sin.

For a further explanation of why such books are not included in the canon of inspired Scripture, see http://www.christiantruth.com/articles.html
http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/read/the_apocrypha_inspired_of_god

Finally, the ultimate error of Rome is that of fostering dependence upon her supposed powers, as well as one's own merits, for salvation, rather than bringing souls to come before God as sinners, destitute of any merit whereby they may escape Hell and gain Heaven, and thus cast all their faith upon Christ and His blood for justification and regeneration (Rm. 3:9 - 5:8; Eph. 1:13; Titus 3:5). And having turned from sin to Him, be baptized under water (Acts 8:37) and walk in newness of life (Rm. 6). And so glorify God alone!!*

Answer 2

It depends on who it was that died. If the person had a very tortured life or committed suicide, I'd pray that they are able to find some peace in the hereafter. If it's someone like my mother or sister who died at an advanced age, I'd pray that they are happy and have found peace. You do have to believe that there is some form of life after death. If you dont, just pray for yourself and people you love. If you dont believe in an afterlife, I dont know what you do.

Answer 3

Yes, praying for the dead is o.k. especially ancestors, friends, family, and anyone. It is called the holy souls in purgatory. It is wholesome to pray for them. You can say the prayers for the deceased and have a loved one remembered at Holy Mass.

Catholic.

Answer 4

No. dead is dead.

We are judged by God for who we are on Earth. No amount or prayer can change the past. Once we are dead, its Heaven or Hell. No one can pray you into Heaven our out of Hell. The dead already chose thier eternal home by the decisions they made on Earth.

I pray for the living.

Answer 5

I pray for the families and friends of people who have just died.
I know that I cannot truly know the relationship that anyone else has/did have with God, but I am careful to thank Him for the time we had with our loved ones, and ask Him to help me rejoice with Him at the death of His saints, and to understand that our tears at the death of a loved one are actually tears for ourselves, because we miss them.
I always pray for God's compassion, and ask Him to temper judgment with mercy.
And I thank Him for my loved ones and friends who are still with me, and ask Him to remind me that I need to talk with them about Him while there is still time...

Answer 6

No. There life at this time and place is over. There is no longer a chance to change what they did, or didn't do. The history of their life can't be altered. Nothing good or bad in the physical (earthly) realm can happen to them anymore. They are in one of two places right now and that location, be it good or bad, can not be changed.

Answer 7

I do every Sunday in Episcopal church. I don't know why, though. It's in the Book of Common Prayer. Remembrance, maybe. We pray to follow in their good works, also. We don't believe in purgatory. I'm going to have to ask my Reverend this!

Answer 8

No. Because they are already committed to what they have done and there is no going back. Either they are to be raised to eternal life, or they are to be raised to eternal condemnation.

Don't look at me, it's what Jesus said, and I tend to be one sided about that.

28 "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.
( John 5 )

Answer 9

yes of course---God, who is outside of time, may certainly apply prayers to someone during their lifetime to give them the grace they need at their hour of death to be saved and also being a Catholic we believe in Purgatory---a kind of preemie nursery for those not ready to be born in Heaven yet but who are certainly saved.

Answer 10

the dead live on in our hearts and minds
death is a great illusion
rememberance of the ancestors is the way we maintain the bloodline connections