I was taught it does, but I've read the Bible several times and I've never seen any references to it. I suppose it can't hurt, but I was wondering what other people's opinions are.
2007-11-23 12:12:31 · 16 answers · asked by Emily Dew 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Bible is silent for a reason. The misconception of death is very common.
Psalms 146:4 ”His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.”
Psalms 115:17 ”The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.”
Ecclesiastes 9:5 “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.”
Hope this helps.
GOD bless
2007-11-23 12:20:22 · answer #1 · answered by Exodus 20:1-17 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The bible states the only way to God is through Jesus Christ His son. Jesus' death on the cross means that He paid the price for man's sin, and now can forgive us for our sins if we ask Him. He can then take his people to heaven to be with Him.
Christians are one of the only religions that believe that we need a personal relationship with God. It is that relationship that saves us, and that alone.
Therefore I cannot see how someone else's prayers can make a difference after a person dies. I do know that prayer makes a difference in living things around us - prayer gives God permission to work in other's lives. But God never forces himself upon us, we always have free choice and can accept or turn down God's gentle calling to us.
A dead person cannot be influenced for good or evil anymore, because they do not have concious thought anymore. They cannot change. They cannot give their heart to God. They cannot ask to be forgiven for the wrong things they have done.
Prayer never hurts, but I think the idea that praying for someone's soul after they've died can hurt those of us living. We need a good understanding of free will, personal choice, God's ability to forgive us no matter how bad we've been, and what happens when we die. The bible answers those questions - and you're correct, there is no place where it says anything about praying for a dead person's soul.
2007-11-23 20:32:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi Emily - I've never found a reference to praying for the dead in the Bible. But I will also say that I do not believe God is bound by the concept of time, He is outside of time, so I would agree with you, it can't hurt, as long as you don't make it a central part of your theological doctrine.
My instincts tell me that with our limited amount of time we spend in prayer each day that praying for the living might have more effect.
2007-11-23 20:21:29 · answer #3 · answered by Last Ent Wife (RCIA) 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No after the soul and spirit leave the body then the decisions that they have made while they were alive will remain throughout eternity and nothing can or will change it. It is sad to think of all the people who procrastinate until it is too late and then their families and loved ones grasp at straws hoping that they are in heaven.
2007-11-23 20:31:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
in all honesty, no it really doesn't. Once a person dies and steps into eternity, where they end up is the result of the choices they made in life, concerning what they believed about the Son of God. (Jesus). You cannot pray someone out of hell, or pray them into heaven once their soul is in eternity. As they are, where they chose to be.
Our eternal destinies are of our own choosing. It's rather simple: Choose Jesus = go to heaven; Reject Jesus = go to hell. God gave us free will, with the option to choose to believe what we want. He let us know there were only two choices, AND let us know the consequences. Therefore, he does not interfere with that choice we've made once we've passed on.
While it does absolutely nothing to pray for people that have died, it does a world of wonder to pray for those that are living. As, now, while we are living, is where we decide where we'll spend eternity. Once we've died, there is no more time to repent or recant. It's over.
â¥
Also the doctrine of 'purgatory' is not biblical. If you consider the concept of purgatory < in between heaven and hell> then right here, right now, on earth, would be that 'middle ground' in between the two places. our lives now, are the only time we have to choose where we'll end up, and to pray for the souls of others. Hope that helps you out. â¥
2007-11-23 20:20:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No.
Catholics believe you can pray someone out of purgatory or hell.
I've read the bible (KJV) from cover to cover many times and never came across anything that remotely comes close to endorsing such a concept.
2007-11-23 20:16:06 · answer #6 · answered by timbers 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'm afraid not. We have our whole life on this earth
to be right with God, but then the judgment. God will
be the decider, but the Bible does not tell us anywhere
to pray for the dead. We need to pray for our friends
and others while they are still alive, when there's still
hope.
2007-11-23 20:23:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It often does much good for the person offering the prayers. they find peace, and relief from guilt, sadness, hopelessness, frustration and fear. So, it can be a very god thing.
2007-11-23 20:44:49 · answer #8 · answered by eiere 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope. It is up to God to resurrect them depending on the way they lived their life and he can read hearts, so he knows best.
The best we can do is remain faithful so that we can get to see them in the resurrection.
2007-11-23 20:16:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Prayer never hurts
2007-11-23 20:16:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋