Praying to the saints?

Question

Why do Catholics pray to saints, many wonder

In the Catholic understanding, prayer is a "request". When we pray to those who have gone to heaven ahead of us, we are making a "request" of them. And what is that request? It is that THEY pray for US. Protestants do it all the time, but they limit themselves to making this request only of people still on earth. In this, the protestant view of the Church is very narrow. You see, Romans 8: 38-39 says: "neither death nor life... ...neither the present nor the future.. ..neither height nor depth, nor anything else.. ..will be able to separate us". The Family of God transcends death. We ALL LIVE IN CHRIST.

It is important to note that praying to saints is not a requirement of Catholics, just an option: Just as a protestant doesnt HAVE to ask a friend to pray for them, but they can

Heb 12: 22-24 says that as we approach God, Jesus and the angels, we also approach "the spirits of righteous men made perfect". In other words, THE SAINTS

BUT, can they Hear Us? Scripture indicates, those in heaven are aware of the prayers of those on earth. For example, in Revelation 5:8, John depicts the saints in heaven offering our prayers to God under the form of "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." But if the saints in heaven are offering our prayers to God, then they must be aware of our prayers. They are aware of our petitions and present them to God by interceding for us.

Oh, the intercession of fellow Christians in heaven also clearly does not interfere with Christ’s unique mediatorship because in the four verses immediately preceding 1 Timothy 2:5, Paul says that Christians should interceed: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and pleasing to God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:1–4). Clearly, intercessory prayers offered by Christians on behalf of others is something "good and pleasing to God"

I invite people to read this information:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Praying_to_the_Saints.asp

(sorry that was so long)
Ooops, forgot to ask a question:

Comments anyone?

SORRY GUYS, BUT PEOPLE IN HEAVEN ARE NOT DEAD. THEY ARE MORE ALIVE THAN WE ARE

Answer 1

IOU one. I had been wondering about that for months!!!!!!!

Answer 2

The apostles are dead right now. Saints are every one
that is a christian. Pray for people that need Jesus
and will tun to the true in living God.

Answer 3

I do not pray to any saint/idol.
I PRAY ONLY TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
-Make no mistake. The only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ.

In the Bible, it reads;

John 14:6 (NIV) Bible
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Answer 4

We are to pray to God the Father, I suppose you could pray to a Saint... But, they are dead. (dead know not anything) Ecclesiastes 9:5 So, I doubt they can hear your prayer

Answer 5

dont blame the protesters in here, they have no faith thats why they answer such as saying Jesus and mary are dead. give me a break. I thought he took the bosum of abraham to heaven with him, and the thief on the cross. wheres your faith people?

Answer 6

I only pray to God.

Answer 7

It's a well known fact that praying is delusional dear, no matter who you pray to....

Answer 8

Good answer. Cheers

Answer 9

very interesting
thanks for sharing