Why would you ask a dead person to pray for you (such as Mary or any other dead "saints")?

Question

considering the following.

Ecc 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.

Elena, there is a Heaven. I am just curious what benefit there is in asking for help from someone who Knows not anything. Curious why you are so zealous about something that you seem to think is imaginary.

Johnny, if Mary was in the upper room and received the Holy Ghost with the rest of the 120 on the Day of Pentecost, See Acts 1:14, then when was she taken?

Answer 1

It makes much more sense to me to go straight to the Big Guy Himself.
I'm sure I have nothing but respect for those Christians who have gone before, and I won't say that they may not be in Heaven, because I tend to believe that they are...
If others wish to believe that someone who has already passed could intercede with God for them...I would not presume to tell them any different.
I know Who my intercessor is...I will keep my prayers for my Lord and my God, and for Him alone.
If the rest of the denizens of Heaven wish to listen in, or if they wish to speak to God on my behalf, I'm sure I have no problem with that...but why would I speak to an underling, when the Boss has gone to so much trouble to make Himself available to me?? I know that when I have left this vale of tears, and my children or grandchildren wish to pray, I would rather have them go right to the Top. IF there is anything I can do, such as add my voice to theirs, I'm sure I will do so...but still, I would advise them to take their concerns directly to God.
Isn't that what Jesus taught us to do? Because of Him, we are free to cry out "Abba, Father"!! Now why would I go to a mere sibling, when I can climb directly into Dad's lap and tell HIM what is on my mind??

Answer 2

If anybody sees a person who is dead, they are really seeing the "familiar spirit" that had been with that person on earth, which is a demon. The dead do not come back and talk to us. Angels are not ghosts from our past, they are ministering spirits sent from God to help us (which I'm sure you know). I think many people do believe that things on Highway to Heaven and other programs are real. We must know what the Bible says. If it does not line up with the Bible, then it is a lie. We should not pray to Mary. The only way to God is through His son Jesus. We pray in Jesus' name to God and through His Spirit. Period!

Answer 3

It's called necromancy, which is strictly forbidden by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Isaiah 8:19 - Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Some must be worshiping a different god. Because, the Biblical God - YHWH, states that there is no intercessor for us but the man Jesus Christ.

The Roman church instituted this practice to suffice for an earlier practice by pagans whom prayed to various gods and goddesses. Each god or goddess had a specific function. And, there were many.

And, also, who can claim anyone a saint but God Himself. Since when did the 'church' ever become commissioned to judge the world and name saints or condemn? This is a demonic deception and BLASPHEMY in the highest degree from the mouths of the brainwashed and befuddled, as well as bold faced liars. And, what's amazing is that some of the worst blasphemy comes from a church itself.

I pray that those caught up in this system will break free of its hold and come to truth. Don't forfeit your salvation for the doctrines and traditions of pagan sun god worship dressed in the guise of Christianity. Stay far away from this counterfeit.

Answer 4

For we serve a living God, the God of Jacob,Joseph, Paul, Mary, and other chosen men / women. This points toward the reality that there is an afterlife for the saints of God.

I agree praying to various and sundry so called saints is illogical; as we have a High Priest in Jesus Christ. Thus, why pray to, for example, st chrisopher of have a bobbing head christopher icon on my car dashboard.

On the other hand, "blessed are you amoung women, Mary..."

And she does represent the feminine principle re stored to the Kingdom; so, she is to be venerated and highly esteemed. Whether or not she makes intercession for us, remains a mystery.

In context, what you quoted is a rhetorical question, and a snide one: this is the genesis of eat, drink, and be merry - for tomorrow we die. In that chapter, the writer is playing devil's advocate about whether man should live righteously or not. The writer is NOT, repeat NOT, promulgating doctrine.

Maranantha

Answer 5

Mary and the saints are in Heaven. They are very much alive and we can use them to intercede for us. The "dead sleepeth" according to Jesus. The Catholic Church believes that Jesus would not allow His Mother to remain in the grave until Judgement Day. This makes sense to catholics as Jesus is God.

Saints have, like Mary, already been judged worthy by Him to abide with Him in Heaven. They care very much about what happens to us believers here on Earth and will intercede for us if we ask them as will angels too if we ask (pray to) them.

In prayer to Mary, Saints or angels catholics DO NOT WORSHIP them. Worship is reserved ONLY for God.

Answer 6

Why do you think Mary is dead? Do you believe that Jesus conquered death? If so, then you believe in life after death. This means that those who have died here, have eternal life in Christ. This means they are not dead. So when we ask her to pray for us, it is the same as asking a friend or family member to pray for us.

The verse in Ecclesiastes pertains to the pagan practice of asking the dead to gain favor with the pagan gods for the living. This was a practice of paganism and we are told not to do this. But those who have died in Christ, are not dead. The Bible confirms this.

Answer 7

Pagan tradition....also a following of the teachings of the sect of Alexandar the Coppersmith and Hymeneus and Philetus which claims the resurrection began back in the first century while the Bible was being written and just after or about the time Jesus returned to heaven.

2 Timothy 2:16-18, 1 Timothy 1:19, 20. Jesus taught the saints (which means holy or holy ones....not meaning being in heaven).....santa Biblia is holy Bible.) would go to heaven when he came AGAIN, his second coming, not first. John 14:3, 1 Cor. 15:23.

The teaching the resurrection began back then rather than Christ's second coming is blasphemy as said by Paul in the above verses in Timothy. He handed those men over to Satan to teach them not to blaspheme. They instead mingled with Rome and became the Roman Catholic church which also spawned Protestant faiths.

Debbie

Answer 8

Pretty profound scripture to reflect on especially in view of John 6, and matthew 25 31- the end of the chapter.
Mary is not dead she was taken bodily into heaven. One of two people to have been "raptured". the saints are not dead, that is the meaning of the word saint -- known to be in heaven. As catholics we have no idea who is in hell, but we designate as saints those, who through a regreours proces are known to be in heaven,i.e., enjoying "eternal life". We ask them to pray for us just as we would ask a person on earth to pray for us. who better to pray for us than one who is known to be enjoying eternal life with God. Try it. Try Saint Jude.

Answer 9

As Christians we beleive that we will live forever, so asking Mary, to pray for you is certainly not asking a dead person to pray for you.

Answer 10

So you're saying there's no Heaven? This verse would appear to state just that.

What difference does it make to you how someone chooses to pray? If you want to get down to it, why would you ask an imaginary being for a favor to begin with?