Our view on PRAYING TO THE SAINTS?

Question

I have seen some comments about prayer to the Blessed Virgin, such as "when did Jesus tell us to pray to Mary", and other such simplistic observations.

there are Biblical "principals" on which Christian teachings are based. Not everything is “specifically” stated in black and white in the Scriptures. For example, the word "Trinity" is not in the Bible but most Christians believe in the Trinity.

So, what about prayer to Mary and the saints in heaven?

Those in heaven pray with us and for us, as in the book of Revelation when John sees that "the twenty-four elders [the leaders of the people of God in heaven] fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints" (Rev. 5:8).

A prayer is a request. When we pray to Mary and the saints in heaven, we are asking them to pray for us, the same way non-Catholic Christians ask their friends or family to pray for them.

Question: When you ask your friends or family to pray for you, does that take away from Jesus or his role as mediator? Of course not, and neither does praying to our brother and sisters in heaven. Because he is the only God-man and the Mediator of the New Covenant, Jesus is the only mediator between man and God (1 Tim. 2:5), but this in no way means we cannot or should not ask our fellow Christians to pray with us and for us (1 Tim. 2:1–4). In particular, we should ask the intercession of those Christians in heaven, who have already had their sanctification completed, for "[t]he prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects" (Jas. 5:16). The family of God transcends death: You are still a Christian even when you are in heaven, and you can still pray for your brothers and sisters when you are there.

Does this make things a little easier to understand? Any comments or questions?

MORE INFO:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Praying_to_the_Saints.asp

Kaliko: Can't you hear how ridiculous it sound when you say they are in heaven but they are dead? Which is it?

rikirail: I give to God the worship that is due Him alone, and I give the respect to the saints that they deserve

Answer 1

Mary and the saints died = they are dead. They are in heaven but they are dead. Now how can anyone who's dead know our prayers? That is just silliness.

Answer 2

When you ask your friends and family to pray for you you go up to them and ask them you don't pray to them. Mary and the Saints are dead they did not defeat death only Jesus did and is sitting at the right hand of the father making intercessions for us. He said that anything that you ask in His name (Jesus name) he will do so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13-14

Mary was a great woman of God blessed and pure and the one chosen by God to bring his son into the world and she is to be loved and respected as an example of a good mother who gave birth to our Savior. We must not forget that she was human. Yes she is in heaven but not to be prayed to.

Jesus loved his mother very much. She was treated as an earthly being. In luke8:19-21 then His mother and brothers came to Him and could not Approach him because of the crowd. and it was told Him by someone that said your mother and brothers are standing outside desiring to see you. But he answered and said my mother and brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.

I am not putting anyones religion or their teaching down i am stating my beliefs and what i think is right
I might get some negative reaction to this. Someone stated that they prayed to the saints for parking space and they got it. Satan is the master of disguise he does not want Gods name to be glorified and so you think that the saint gave you the parking space. When you Love God you cannot help but worship Him giving him thanks and praise and telling him how awesome he is to give you life each and everyday.

Answer 3

I dont care what anyone says, I pray to Mary and she helps me

Everytime I pray to saint Anthony to help me find a parking spot, he does, even my fiance does does it now

And yes I agree, I dont see whats so complicated about it, sometimes I talk to my grandma and I tell her I miss her and stuff like that. I dont see why people are so confused about this and think we 'worship' Mary and the saints, I dont even like the word worship and I love God, I dont worship him, I love him. I try anyways and probably do a poor job of it, but thats another thing, praying to Mary and the Saints helps me to feel closer to God.

I feel so lucky after reading the other answers, Im so blessed that I can have a relationship with Mary as well as with God and im not limited to what man has taught us about God alone. There is no doubt in my mind that Mary is there for us and for God, like above, make sure you pray to God too? What? Thanks for the advice guy.

Answer 4

I like praying, I find it relaxing and a beneficial use of my time. In so far as the specifics as to what or for that matter whom ( If we must personalize the relationship of praying on a mortal footing!) I'm praying to, well now that's always been somewhat vague to me. In my thoughts I've resolved this to the point of view that if I'm meant to know this it will be revealed to me. As far as any comment or thought goes I've read some of your questions in the past and find them to be vested in a pre Vatican two attitude, rather than graced with the modern catholic approach of the reversal of idolatry. I make no judgement of course, you yourself know your heart and it certainly isn't my place to tell you what in there lay, just an observation on my part, no disrespect intended. Go with God.

Answer 5

the saints are in heaven with God so why i wouldn't ask their intercession i don't know. it would be like not asking your neighbor to check on your house while you're out of town. gracious, they are right there, in heaven with our Lord! Mary was told when she presented Christ in the temple that her soul too a sword shall pierce & the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. i believe Mary - like all true mothers - knows and understands her Son better then any. she wants all people to know and love her Son. She is the greatest example of Christian charity of a human being - she is a perfect role model.
i am not foolish enough to but any limitations of my Lord & my God -- HE has told us the saints are in heaven - i believe HIm!

Answer 6

As a non-denominational Christian who practices in homes and schools. I have no problem with that what so ever, as long as you are still praying to God too.

Answer 7

Well said! A very good explanation of the issue from a Catholic perspective.

Answer 8

When we pray for friends we pray to the Father first to help our friends in need . The golden vials are full of odours which are spiritual prayers from saints ( Believers ) There is one mediator between God and man not Mary ,not saints , only Jesus .Timothy 2:5 " For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ.

Answer 9

I ask St. Maximilian Kolbe for guidance every once in a while.

Answer 10

None of the Apostles prayed to anyone other than God; No disciples ever prayed to anyone but God; No believing Christian ever prayed to anyone but God.

Phillippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Who here are we instructed to pray to?)

Matthew 6:9 "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. (Who here are we instructed to pray to?)

As far as intercession, there is only one who makes an intercession in our prayers - the Holy Spirit
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

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Regarding Saints, is not the Bible clear that all believers are Saints? The word Saint is a translation of the word Hagios (Holy). All who follow Christ are holy: 1 Peter 1:15 "but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,". In the Bible, all members of the Lord's church were called saints. Look at the following passages and see that they refer to all of the members of the church in that area:
Acts 9:13 (Jerusalem) Acts 9:32 (Lydda) Romans 1:7 (Rome), I Corinthians 1:2 (Corinth), Ephesians 1:1 (Ephesus)....my fingers are tired

Answer 11

Catholic Crusader, do you pray to God or to Mary? Do you ask God or do you ask Mary?