Embedded Files
EDITED
IS IT BIBLICAL TO
ASK THE SAINTS IN HEAVEN TO PRAY FOR US?
The question has been asked, “Is Praying to the Saints in Heaven BIBLICAL?” What I mean by this “Does the Bible itself teach us to pray to the saints in heaven, to ASK them for their help, for their prayers to intercede to God for us?” Then the answer is NO. I myself find nowhere in the Bible that teaches Christians to pray to deceased saints in heaven for any reason.
The Roman Catholic Church teaches Catholics to pray to specific saints for different things. But that is not found in the word of God. What the Catholic Church has done is that they use some verses out of their context to try and prove that it is alright to pray to the saints in Heaven.
We will cover the verses that are used by the Catholic church to try and support their teaching of asking the saints in Heaven to pray for them. But first, let us begin this study in God's word by closely examining the manner of prayer that Jesus taught his disciples when they asked Jesus himself as to HOW they should pray. Please read Luke 11:1-13 first and then we will compare these words of Jesus with the account of the gospel of Matthew.
Luke 11:1-13.
“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, TEACH us to PRAY, as John also taught his disciples. (In other words, a SPECIFIC request is being asked by the disciples of Jesus himself as to HOW we are to pray. Please pay close attention to the manner or the example that Jesus himself gave us as to HOW we are to pray and to WHOM we are to direct our prayers. Now I fully realize that this is NOT the ONLY passage of scripture in the Bible and we will shortly get to those verses further on in this study of God’s word, his WHOLE word, as to what his word of TRUTH actually teaches us, concerning the QUESTION being asked by the title of this in-depth study.)
2. And he (Jesus himself) said unto them, When you pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. (Jesus taught us to direct our prayers STRAIGHT to Almighty God the Father. The Bible does NOT teach us to pray to the Virgin Mary or to any saint in Heaven.)
3. Give us day by day our daily bread.
4. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. (Then Jesus give us something to COMPARE our asking our heavenly Father for something to be like asking a FRIEND for something who we KNOW will not say NO to us. But NOT just because he is our friend alone. Rather more so because we do NOT GIVE UP until we RECEIVE what we are asking for, KNOWING that our friend has what we need.)
5. And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a FRIEND, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; (Jesus is comparing Almighty God the Father as our FRIEND that we can come to for help any time day or night)
6. For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
7. And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give you. (Jesus is teaching us to have PATIENCE and to NOT give up when seeking help from God)
8. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his IMPORTUNITY he WILL rise and give him as many as he needs. (In other words, because of the persistence and Not giving up in this man's asking of his friend to give him what he needs, that friend will indeed give him as much as he needs.)
9. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10. For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. (In other words, Jesus is teaching us to have FAITH in our prayers that we ask of our heavenly Father and do not be afraid to ask him for what we need. Then Jesus goes on to give us another example of praying to Almighty God, our heavenly Father, to our asking, of our earthly father, who is a good father, will not give his children something bad when they ask him for something they need.)
11. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone (Or will that good earthly father give his children a STONE when they ask for BREAD to eat)? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12. Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13. If you then, being evil, know how to give GOOD gifts unto your children: how much MORE shall your heavenly Father GIVE the Holy Spirit to them that ASK him?”
So then, Jesus is teaching us HOW to pray and to WHOM we are to direct our prayers in answer to a DIRECT, SPECIFIC request made by his disciples, and his ANSWER was that we are to direct our prayers TO ALMIGHTY GOD, the FATHER, in this particular passage of scripture. To this TRUTH there can be absolutely NO QUESTION of DOUBT!
Let us read the first two verses in Luke chapter 11 again to erase any DOUBT that you may have and again we will get to those verses used by the Catholic church to try and support their teaching to pray to the saints in heaven to ask them of their prayers and intercessions for those on the earth. But first I want you to see what the CLEAR, PLAIN and SIMPLE words of Jesus himself SPECIFICALLY, POINT BLANK, STRAIGHT FORWARD teaches us as to HOW and to WHOM we are to pray to leave absolutely NO DOUBT. Here is Luke 11:1,2 again and then we will go to the gospel of Matthew and compare these words of Jesus.
Luke 11:1,2.
“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, TEACH us to PRAY, as John also taught his disciples. (In other words, a SPECIFIC request is being asked by the disciples of Jesus himself as to HOW we are to pray. Please pay close attention to the manner or the example that Jesus himself gave us as to HOW we are to pray. And notice to WHOM we are to direct our prayers. Now I fully realize that this is NOT the ONLY passage of scripture in the Bible and we will shortly get to those other verses further on in this study of God’s word. And when I say God’s word, I am speaking of his WHOLE word and not verses that are taken out of their context.)
2. And he (Jesus himself) said unto them, When you pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.”
So again, we see that a SPECIFIC request is asked DIRECTLY of Jesus for him to TEACH us to PRAY. And then Jesus himself SPECIFICALLY answers this direct question by saying that we are to pray DIRECTLY TO our Heavenly Father. That is what Jesus means when he said pray after THIS MANNER saying, “OUR FATHER which is IN HEAVEN....” Jesus is CLEARLY and PLAINLY teaching us that we, as Christians, are to direct our prayer to Almighty God, the Father.
Now let us take a close look at these words of Jesus in Matthew 6:8-13, where Jesus teaches us to pray after this MANNER or pattern, you pray in a like MANNER, from this EXAMPLE that I give to you.
Matthew 6:8-13.
“Be NOT you, therefore, LIKE unto THEM: for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask him. (So Jesus is CLEARLY teaching us NOT to pray AFTER the MANNER of THEM, which we will look at shortly to see what Jesus is talking about in the previous verses. But first I want you to clearly see and understand what MANNER or example that Jesus himself gave us to FOLLOW when we PRAY. Now this particular study is to determine what the word of TRUTH teaches us as to WHOM we should direct our prayers so we will focus mainly on TO WHOM Jesus teaches us to direct our prayers.)
9. AFTER THIS MANNER, THEREFORE (or for this very reason) pray you: Our Father which art IN heaven, Hallowed be YOUR name.
10. Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth, AS it is IN heaven.
11. Give us this day our daily bread.
12. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (Meaning that we are to come DIRECTLY to Almighty God to ask for forgiveness. Therefore, there is no longer the need to go to a priest like there was in the Old Testament, who sacrificed to God FOR the children of Israel. The disciples of Jesus prayed TO the Father when ASKING petitions of God. And they prayed in the authority of the name of Jesus COMMANDING healing and casting out devils. You will not find one example of the disciples praying to the saints in Heaven for any reason. You will not find any prayers directed to the Virgin Mary)
13. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”
I wanted to COMPARE some scripture with scripture to show you that if we ONLY look at certain verses then one could INCORRECTLY INTERPRET the account given in Luke to mean that we are to take this MANNER or this EXAMPLE of how to pray and to WHOM that we are to DIRECT our prayer, of Jesus, meaning that we are to recite this prayer WORD for WORD or it will not work. This so-called Our Father prayer was never meant to be recited word for word as a ritual type repeated prayer. But rather Jesus was teaching this prayer as an EXAMPLE or pattern for us to follow.
Now, this is NOT to say that it is WRONG to pray the so-called Our Father prayer saying it word for word. But if this example of prayer is taught ONLY in this way then the great message and lesson that Jesus is giving us will not clearly be seen or understood. We will talk more on this later, but for now, let us back up a few verses here in Matthew chapter 6 and see what Jesus meant when he said in verse 8.
Matthew 6:8.
“Be NOT you, therefore, LIKE unto THEM...”
So then, WHO is the THEM and WHAT are THEY doing that we as Christians are specifically told by Jesus himself NOT to do or be like? Please read Matthew 6:1-7 where Jesus is saying be NOT LIKE THEM and DO things and PRAY after the MANNER in which they PRAY.
Matthew 6:1-7.
“Take HEED that you do NOT your alms before men, to be seen of them: OTHERWISE you have NO reward of YOUR Father which is in heaven. (In other words, we are NOT to GIVE or pray or do good deeds to receive glory and praise from people.)
2. Therefore, (or for this very reason) when YOU do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you (Or do not blow your own horn so to speak making it known take you are giving to the poor), as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (Meaning that they will NOT receive ANY reward from Almighty God for their good works of giving to the poor, because THEY sought to be patted on the back and to be seen by men and to receive the glory and praise from men.)
3. But when YOU do alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand does:
4. That your alms may be in secret: and YOUR Father which sees in secret himself SHALL reward you openly. (In other words, give and do good deeds to help others with a pure heart and with a pure motive. And do NOT give expecting anything in return.)
5. And when YOU pray, you shall NOT be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that THEY may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (Meaning that whatever praises they receive from MEN shall be ALL that they receive because they are praying in VAIN. So do NOT be like them when you pray, because if you are, then your Father in heaven will NOT answer your prayers.)
6. But YOU, when YOU pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray TO YOUR Father which is in secret; and YOUR Father which sees in secret SHALL reward you openly.
7. But when YOU pray (Speaking to us as Christians who OBEY the words and teaching of Jesus that when WE PRAY, we are to), USE NOT VAIN REPITIONS, (On prayer beads) as the heathen do: for they THINK that they shall be HEARD for their much speaking. (Or do you truly believe with all their heart that they will be heard because you repeatedly pray the same prayer over and over as this will grab the ear of your heavenly Father)”
Now it is verse 7 here that brings into QUESTION the teaching of the Catholic Church that teaches Catholics to pray REPEATED memorized prayers on a string of beads called the ROSARY where MOST of those REPETITIVE prayers are directed to MARY in heaven and only a few of the prayers are directed to the Father in heaven.
Did not Jesus himself CLEARLY and PLAINLY teach us, as Christians, NOT to USE REPETITIVE prayers when we pray? And did not Jesus himself CLEARLY and PLAINLY teach us that we, as Christians, are to DIRECT our prayers TO our heavenly Father?
Then WHY does the Catholic Church DISOBEY these CLEAR, PLAIN, and SIMPLE words of Jesus himself? Do they not LOVE Jesus? Jesus said IF you LOVE me, then you will KEEP my WORDS. Please read John 14:23,24, which teaches us that those who do not OBEY the WORDS is the same as saying that they do NOT LOVE Jesus.
John 14:23,24.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man LOVE me, he will KEEP my WORDS: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24. He that loves me NOT keeps NOT my sayings: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.”
So I am imploring you to ask yourself the question of whether or not you truly LOVE Jesus. Do you truly LOVE Jesus? Then SHOW him that you truly LOVE him and KEEP HIS WORDS over what the words of what your particular denomination teaches you.
So then, if you TRULY LOVE Jesus and your church is teaching you to pray the ROSARY using REPETITIVE memorized prayers saying these same prayers over and over, then STOP praying in this MANNER that the HEATHEN do and start KEEPING the WORDS of Jesus by directing the prayers, of your OWN heart, to your heavenly Father.
Now you may argue and say that saying the CATHOLIC rosary is NOT a PAGAN practice, because the prayers are not being said TO Mary, but rather they are petitions ASKING Mary to pray for us sinners.
Before we take a closer look at this argument I want you to please read Ephesians 4:17,18 from the Bible in Basic English with Apocrypha, which is an approved Bible in the Catholic Church.
Ephesians 4:17,18.
“So I'm telling you this, and I INSIST on it IN the Lord: you shouldn't live your life LIKE the Gentiles anymore. They base their lives on pointless THINKING,
18. And they are in the dark in their REASONING. They are disconnected from God's life because of their ignorance and their closed hearts.”
Please keep in mind that Paul is speaking to Gentiles, which means HEATHENS or PAGANS, that have believed on the name of Jesus but who are still PRACTICING their OLD PAGAN pointless ways of THINKING. In other words, the TRUTH of the matter is that PAGANS did indeed become Christians and even in the New Testament church, these pagans or Gentiles who became Christians, were holding on to some of their OLD pagan pointless thinking.
Remember Jesus said that the HEATHEN or the PAGANS because of their REPETITIVE praying, that they THINK that they will be HEARD for their many prayers? But Jesus REBUKED their pointless ways as we also see that Paul does as well by INSISTING that we “Be NOT you, therefore, LIKE unto THEM...” or “OTHERWISE you have NO reward of YOUR Father which is in heaven.”
But some Catholics keep THINKING in their mind that they are NOT following PAGAN practices. Because to them, the Catholic rosary did NOT come from a Pagan false god, but rather the rosary was given to the Catholic Church by Mary herself in a vision.
Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, that your HEART is CLOSED to hear the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God but trusting in the TRADITIONS of the Catholic Church more than you trust the very word of TRUTH itself, the Holy Bible?
The TRUTH of the matter is that Pagan religions used prayer beads long before Christianity ever came to be and even during the founding of the Christian church, by our Lord Jesus Christ, there were pagans still yet using prayer beads to count and keep track of their many repetitive memorized prayers that they repeated over and over in VAIN. Jesus used their EXAMPLE of praying and taught us, as Christians, NOT to pray in this MANNER as the HEATHENS do because if you do, then your prayers will NOT be heard by your heavenly Father. Your prayers on the rosary are in VAIN and POINTLESS prayers that the very word of Almighty God INSISTS that we as Christians should NOT pray as the Gentiles pray.
Now, this is another whole study in and of itself but I will just briefly touch on how this pagan practice of using prayer beads came into the Catholic Church.
Most resources that I myself came across use the year 1090 AD as the first mention of the rosary being introduced to the Catholic Church by Peter the Hermit who was most noted for his involvement with the crusades. However, some Catholic writers deny any connection with Peter the Hermit and insist that the rosary did not come into the Catholic Church UNTIL 1206 AD when Mary appeared to St Dominic in an apparition and Mary herself gave him the instructions to preach the rosary.
Now, I am not going to argue the exact date or who exactly gets the credit for introducing the rosary into the Catholic church. The point that I want you to see is that the rosary was NOT introduced into the Catholic church UNTIL the late 11th century to the early 12th century. Therefore, by Catholic history itself, this proves that this pagan practice of using prayer beads in order to keep track of the many repetitive prayers that are offered by Catholics to Mary to petition her prayers to intercede for sinners was NOT a practice of the early Christian church. And any vision that teaches something that is in contradiction with what Jesus teaches is NOT from Almighty God. And the visions of Mary teach many things that CONTRADICT what the Bible itself teaches.
Jesus never taught his disciple to pray to his mother Mary and neither did his Apostles ever teach the church any such MANNER of praying. The TRUTH of the matter is that pagans did indeed use prayer beads and when Constantine made Catholicism the state religion, then many pagan practices began to take stronger root into the church of Jesus Christ to eventually made dogma by the Catholic Church.
Now what the Catholic Church would have its followers to believe is that there was ALWAYS ONLY the Catholic Church from the very beginning and ALL other churches split off from the so-called ONE TRUE Roman Catholic Church.
But the TRUTH of the matter is that there were many different groups which ALL believed in Jesus but had different opinions on some teachings. The word “Catholic” means UNIVERSAL. The church was not UNIVERSAL in the sense that everyone was commanded by the state to make peace and believe the teaching of ONE group of all the many different groups of believers. This is how the church became the UNIVERSAL or the ROMAN CATHOLIC Church that adopted the name of the ONE TRUE church.
In other words, the TRUTH of the matter is that there were many groups of believers that were NEVER a part of the so-called Catholic Church who opposed what this group of believers taught and consequently were martyred for their faith in the true gospel of Jesus Christ which opposed the false teachings of the Catholic Church.
Now I do not stand as a judge to say whether or not Catholics are truly saved or not, but rather I consider anyone who confesses faith in Jesus Christ as their savior to be saved even though they may be in a church that teaches false doctrine. I personally see false doctrine being taught in almost every church. I did not say ALL churches because I do not personally know what ALL churches teach. But I do know that in every church that I myself have attended that they had some false doctrines which I believed, without question, until I saw the truth in God's word and then I rejected that false teaching.
This brings us back to the question of what are YOU going to do now that you see that the teaching of the Catholic Church to pray to Mary and the saints does not AGREE and even CONTRADICTS the very word of Almighty God?
My point is this. Since it cannot be proven beyond any shadow of a doubt that the Bible does not specifically FORBID praying to the saints to ask them to pray for people on the earth does NOT make it right and pleasing in the eyes of God.
Therefore, for ME, I must follow the EVIDENCE of God's word that CLEARLY shows that we as Christians are NOT to follow the practices of the pagan religions.
Now, we have already seen that praying on a rosary or on prayer beads is living like those in pagan religions, which Paul INSIST that we do NOT live as the pagans live. Jesus said do NOT pray after the manner as the heathens pray. Now, this is CLEAR, PLAIN and SIMPLE evidence from the very word of God that must be weighed against those verses that are used by the Catholic Church to try and justify their teachings of praying to Mary and other saints who have died and are in heaven.
So then, let us take a CLOSE look at Revelation 5:8, which is the main verse used by the Catholic Church to try and justify their doctrine of praying to the saints.
Revelation 5:8.
“And when he (Jesus) had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors (Or pleasing aromas), which are the prayers of saints.”
Now the Catholic Church INTERPRETS this verse to mean that these prayers of the saints are the prayers of Catholics on the earth who prayed to these saints in heaven for them to intercede in behalf of those on earth who prayed these prayers, which then became the prayers of the SAINTS in heaven making intercession for those on earth. And then the 24 elders presented these prayers of the SAINTS up in heaven as sweet smelling incense to Almighty God sitting on the throne.
As I have said many times that any verse when it is taken out of context and viewed alone and apart from the rest of God's word may SEEM to be saying something that it is not TRULY saying. Or any verse may be INTERPRETED and made to say something that it is not actually saying.
So while this INTERPRETATION made by the Catholic Church may SEEM to support praying to the saints in heaven please keep in mind that it is only an INTERPRETATION. In other words, whatever interpretation that is placed upon a verse to say as to what that verse means, then that interpretation must also AGREE with the rest of God's word and cannot contradict any other part of the word of God. With that being said, let us now read the CONTEXT of Revelation 5:8 by reading Revelation 5:6-14.
Revelation 5:6-14.
“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. (In Revelation 4:4 we are told that the 24 elders are round about the THRONE of Almighty God the Father. And here in this verse, we see these 24 elders present to the LAMB, which is in the midst of the throne with Almighty God the Father that sits upon the throne, the PRAYERS of the SAINTS. Now we are NOT told in this verse WHO these SAINTS are. This verse may be speaking of the prayers of the SAINTS who are yet alive on the earth that are being presented to the Lamb by these 24 elders. OR this verse may mean that these prayers are indeed the prayers of the SAINTS who are in heaven who are praying in their OWN behalf and NOT on behalf of the saints on the earth. OR this verse may mean that these prayers are sweet smelling prayers of THANKSGIVING, worship, and praise of just the saints already in heaven. OR perhaps this verse means the prayer of praise and thanksgiving of ALL the saints on the Day of Judgment AFTER ALL the saints have been redeemed and now ALL the saints are in heaven. I will explain what I mean by this in a moment, but for now please notice the PRAISE that is being given to Jesus the LAMB that was slain to redeem us to God in the following verses.)
9. And THEY sung a new song, saying, You (Speaking to Jesus the Lamb, you) are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed US to God by your blood out of EVERY kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10. And has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
11. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the NUMBER of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; (Now, the 4 beasts + the 24 elders does NOT equal a multitude of SAINTS that no man can number. Therefore, this means that those singing this new song and offering these prayers of thanksgiving and praise are ALL the saints and have NOTHING whatsoever to do with Catholic praying to the saints in heaven to intercede for those on the earth.)
12. Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
13. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. (Now, this does not take place until the second coming of Jesus when he comes to rule and reign on the earth in his Father's kingdom. So, therefore, it is easily seen that these PRAYERS of the SAINTS are NOT being offered now in this present world or any time during the church age, but rather these prayers will NOT be offered UNTIL the second coming of Jesus.)
14. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped him that lives forever and ever.”
So then, I have given several ways in which this verse 8 could be INTERPRETED, which again we are NOT told in this verse WHO these SAINTS are. So this verse may be speaking of the prayers of the SAINTS who are yet alive on the earth that are being presented to the Lamb by these 24 elders. OR this verse may mean that these prayers are indeed the prayers of the SAINTS who are in heaven who are praying in their OWN behalf and NOT on behalf of the saints on the earth. OR this verse may mean that these prayers are sweet smelling prayers of THANKSGIVING, worship, and praise of just the saints already in heaven, which again would be on their OWN behalf and NOT on the behalf of those on the earth. OR perhaps this verse means the prayer of praise and thanksgiving of ALL the saints on the Day of Judgment AFTER ALL the saints have been redeemed and now ALL the saints are in heaven.
Now, none of these interpretations contradict any other part of God's word as does the Catholic INTERPRETATION. You see the interpretation of the saints in heaven praying on their OWN behalf can be seen in Revelation 6:9-11, where we see the SOULS of the SAINTS in heaven under the altar of God, ASKING God HOW LONG before you judge them on the earth speaking of the SECOND coming of Jesus.
Revelation 6:9-11.
“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the SOULS of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? (So, these SAINTS in heaven are crying out asking God HOW much longer before you avenge our blood? One of the meanings of prayer is to ASK or CRY out a petition. So then, the prayers of the SAINTS in Revelation 5:8 may well be one and the same prayers of these SAINTS here in Revelation 6:9-11. No one can say, with absolute certainty, but this interpretation does not REFUTE the Catholic interpretation to try and support their false teaching of praying to the dead saints in heaven.)
11. And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”
I mean THINK this through for yourself my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, who are in the Catholic church, IF the teaching were true that praying to the saint in heaven were true then this would be such a powerful weapon against the enemy that there would be no doubt that the clear teaching of this doctrine would be all over the New Testament leaving absolutely no doubt in any Christian’s mind. But yet all the Catholic Church provides for support of their teaching is a few very vague and questionable INTERPRETATIONS of verses that can be interpreted in other ways, which make very clear sense.
The Catholic Church also uses 1 Timothy 2:1-4 to try and appeal to reason that INTERCESSION of the saints is good and pleasing to God, but nowhere in this passage of scripture nor any other verse in the Bible, ever speaks of praying to the saints in heaven to ask them to pray for people on the earth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4.
“I exhort, therefore (WHO is Paul exhorting to pray? The answer is he is exhorting Christians. And to WHOM does the word of TRUTH teach us to direct our prayers? The answer is that God's word teaches us to pray to our heavenly Father in the name of his Son Jesus.), that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;
4. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
This same passage of scripture goes on to say that there is ONE mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 2:5
“For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
So praying to the saints in heaven would show that Catholics are DOUBTING the very word of Almighty God who chose his SON Jesus to be his ONLY mediator. In other words, when Catholics pray to the saints in Heaven then they are essentially smacking Jesus in the face. It is like saying that Jesus is not good enough to do the job of mediating. The Bible also teaching us in Hebrews 7:25 that Jesus himself ever lives to make INTERCESSION FOR US.
Hebrews 7:25.
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make INTERCESSION for them.”
So again, to pray to the saints to ask them to pray for us is like saying to Jesus, that you do NOT TRUST that his intercession is good enough to keep you unto his coming. But right here in this verse, we are assured that Jesus is ABLE to save those to the UTTERMOST who COME to God by him.
Praying to the saints in heaven shows that you have no trust even in your own prayers to be answered. This teaching of the Catholic Church DISARMS the Catholic believer to have faith. Catholics do NOT TRULY believe that they can come directly to the throne of grace THEMSELVES and ask Almighty God their Father to meet their needs. So the false teachings of the Roman Catholic Church are stripping Catholics of TRUE FAITH in God
But the word of TRUTH always brings the hearer FAITH and assurance.
Please read Hebrews 4:14-16.
“SEEING then that we have a GREAT high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15. For we have NOT a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16. Let us THEREFORE come BOLDLY unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
The truth of the matter is that God has given us all we need to overcome the enemy, but some spend to much time on POINTLESS pagan memorized repetitive praying that receives no reward or answer from Almighty God, our Father.
Then there is just plain simple logic that has to be reasoned away in order to make this doctrine of praying to the saints to be believable to Catholics who are questioning this teaching. What I mean by this is HOW is it possible for a HUMAN being to listen to all these many thousands of prayers from many different languages at the same time and then have time to repeat them to God in their behalf?
Now some Catholics try to answer this by saying that Protestants just do not understand the state that the saints in heaven are in. Here is a direct quote from one Catholic who tries to explain this sound logical argument away.
“The problem here is one of what might be called a primitive or even childish view of heaven. It is certainly not one on which enough intellectual rigor has been exercised. If being in heaven were like being in the next room, then, of course, these objections would be valid. A mortal, UNGLORIFIED person in the next room would indeed suffer the restrictions imposed by the way space and time work in our universe. But the saints are not in the next room, and they are not subject to the time/space limitations of this life.”
First of all, this Catholic writer insults the intelligence of this sound logical argument that proves that the Bible itself does NOT teach us to pray to the saints. So to me, it seems that some Catholic Christian apologist will say anything in order to try to reassure Catholics that it is alright to continue to pray to the saints. This Catholic apologist shows his ignorance of the Scriptures by his saying that the saints can hear the prayers of Catholics by saying that the saints in heaven have already been GLORIFIED like Jesus. And that is NOT Biblical! For you see, Hebrews 11:39,40 teaches us that those saints in heaven will not be made perfect until we ALL are made perfect TOGETHER at the second coming of Jesus. Then he goes on to make a statement that cannot be PROVED nor DISPROVED, which is that the saints in heaven are NOT subject to time/space limitations of this life. And HOW could anyone know this unless they have died and have gone to heaven and then came back to tell us? And even then, how could we trust such a testimony to be the truth?
The truth of the matter is that ONLY Almighty God is able to hear the prayers of all his creations. And to even think of assigning this attribute to mere humans is saying you do not trust God enough to hear your OWN prayers.
So get into the WORD and learn that God is faithful to hear and answer YOUR prayers that are directed to HIM and not directed to some saint that cannot hear everyone's prayers.
Plain and simple, praying to the dead is a PAGAN practice. The Celtics use rosary prayer beads and in their prayers to the dead, when they ask the dead for protection, for peace, for guidance and even for healing. Remember that Paul INSISTS that we as Christians are NOT to live as the pagans.
Now some may argue and say that Catholics do not pray to the saints to help them directly, but rather they are asking the saints to pray to God for them because God will hear their prayers to meet the needs of those on the earth.
But is this entirely TRUE? What I mean by this is that when I was in the Catholic Church I was taught to pray to St Christopher for safety when traveling, to pray to St Anthony to find things that are lost to pray to St Francis to heal my dog, and to pray to other specific saints for specific needs that THEY would meet. I mean that I myself was never told to just ASK a saint to ASK God FOR me. No, I was taught to pray TO the saint and ask the SAINT to DO whatever that particular PATRON saint was dedicated to DO.
Here are some actual Catholic prayers from Catholic websites that clearly and plainly show all who have eyes to SEE that these Catholic prayers, that I learned while growing up in the Catholic Church, are directed TO the saints for the saints themselves to do the miracle that is needed.
Prayers to St Francis for pets:
Here is the link to the Catholic website that posts this following Catholic prayer TO St, Francis:
http://www.st-francis-medal.com/st-francis-blessing-of-the-animals.htm
Good St. Francis, you loved all of God's creatures. To you, they were your brothers and sisters.
Help us to follow your example of treating every living thing with kindness.
St. Francis, Patron Saint of animals,
watch over my pet and keep my companion safe and healthy.
Amen.
So ask yourself the question of WHO is being asked to watch over the pets here? Is St Anthony being asked to PRAY TO God FOR Catholics who pray this prayer? Or is this prayer directly asking St. Anthony HIMSELF to watch over and keep the animals SAFE and HEALTHY? Be HONEST and you will SEE that the Catholic Church is indeed teaching Catholics to pray TO these saints and NOT just to ask the saints to pray to God for them.
I mean, when I first heard this argument that Catholics really do not pray TO the saints I thought to myself, that is NOT what I myself was taught growing up in the Catholic Church. Yes, it is true that SOME CHANGES are being made, but I myself see these CHANGES being made to only reassure Catholics that it is still alright to pray to the saints. I mean if you only KNEW just how much revenue the Catholic church brings in off the SALES of things like prayer cards, rosaries, images on medals of Mary and a multitude of other saints, statues, candles, and even prayers and masses to be offered for those in purgatory you would be astonished, but that is another study in and of itself. Let us continue to examine more closely the prayers that I was taught growing up in the Catholic Church before CHANGES were made.
Prayers to St Anthony for lost things:
The following three Catholic prayers were taken from a Catholic website. Here is the link if you so desire to check my resources so that you can see for yourself that they are not “BIAS” Protestant websites.
http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/prayers-to-st-anthony.html
This prayer to St. Anthony asks for help in finding missing items:
Saint Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find (mention your petition) which has been lost. As least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss.
To this favor, I ask another of you: that I may always remain in possession of the true good that is God. Let me rather lose all things than lose God, my supreme good. Let me never suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God. Amen.
Here’s another prayer to St Anthony:
Wondrous Saint Anthony, glorious for the fame of your miracles, you had the happiness of receiving in your arms our blessed Lord as a little child. Obtain for me from His mercy this favor that I desire from the bottom of my heart: (mention your request)
Since you were so gracious to poor sinners, do not regard the lack of merit on the part of him who calls upon you, but consider the glory of God, which will be exalted once more through you, by the salvation of my soul and the granting of the petition that I now earnestly present to you.
As a pledge of my gratitude, I beg you to accept my promise to live henceforth more faithfully according to the teaching of the Gospel and to be devoted to the service of the poor whom you ever loved and still love so much. Bless this my resolution and obtain for me the grace to be faithful to it till death. Amen.
Here is a prayer to St. Anthony for healing. This prayer is from a Catholic prayer card from St Lawrence Seminary.
Dear St. Anthony, you loved God so much when you lived upon the earth. You were known, even then, as a great Wonder-worker, so great did His power live in you. Now that you are in heaven, you share in God's glory and in His power in a more perfect way. Look on me with kindness as I come to you in my need. I pray for healing for myself and for those whom I love. Amen.
Now I do not find in any of these written and even memorized by some Catholic prayers that are being directed TO St. Anthony that has any language in them where Catholics are SUPPOSEDLY asking the saints to PRAY or INTERCEDE in behalf of the one praying to that saint. But rather I clearly see that these prayers are requests given directly TO the saints expecting that particular saint to fulfill the prayer. There is no evidence in these actual Catholic prayers that Catholics are asking the saints to PRAY to God in their behalf. And that to ME, is praying to a false god or having other gods before the ONE TRUE and only Almighty God the Father.
You see, these kinds of Catholic prayers came later AFTER this teaching of praying TO the saints was being QUESTIONED within the Catholic Church itself. It was then that we begin to see the Catholic prayers, TO the saints, being CHANGED to prayers like the following to reassure Catholics that it is still alright to pray to the saints so long as you are asking them to pray to God FOR you.
But is it really and truly alright in the eyes of Almighty God? I pray that your eyes be opened to the TRUTH that it is NOT alright.
Here are a couple of prayers to St, Francis so you can indeed see the CHANGE in the WAY that these Catholic prayers are worded. At least SOME of them.
Here is a shorter prayer to St. Anthony:
Saint Anthony, great wonder-worker, intercede for us that God may grant us our request if it be for the good of our soul.
Saint Anthony, be our patron, our protector, and our advocate in life and in death.
Saint Anthony, attentive to those who INVOKE thee, grant us the aid of thy powerful intercession for the grace of holy purity, meekness, humility, obedience, the spirit of poverty, and perfect abandonment to the will of God.
Saint Anthony, servant of Mary, obtain for us greater devotion to the blessed Mother of God.
INVOKE thee? I mean to ME, this sounds a little like necromancy where the spirits of the dead are INVOKED. To me, it still sounds like a PAGAN prayer that we are warned by Jesus NOT do PRAY as the heathens do. And then Jesus himself TAUGHT us HOW and in what MANNER we as Christian are to PRAY by addressing our prayers TO our Father in heaven and NOT to the SAINTS.
Here is one more Catholic prayer to St Anthony and then we will move on to St. Christopher, which I myself find extremely interesting and should raise a red flag to every Catholic about what they are being taught by the Catholic Church.
Almighty, ever-living God, You gave Your people the extraordinary preacher St. Anthony and made him an intercessor in difficulties. BY HIS AID grant that we may live a truly Christian life and experience Your help in all adversities. Amen.
Well, the first half of the first sentence was beautifully worded and Biblical. The second half of the first sentence is MISLEADING because God made his saint to be intercessors ON earth are NOT in Heaven. BUT the second sentence still INVOKES the SAINT to actually DO or at least AID in helping those on earth. The Catholic Church may SAY that they are NOT praying TO the saints, but their actual Catholic prayers that are written down and memorized by some Catholics should clearly tell those of you, who are truly seeking the TRUTH that Catholics do indeed pray TO the saints. And that Catholics are asking for the saints themselves to DO the miracle that is needed.
Now let us move on to St Christopher, which any Catholic who is honestly and truly seeking the truth should, without fail, SEE the ERRORS in the Catholic Church and that the Catholic Church is NOT INFALLIBLE.
Prayer to St Christopher BEFORE he was declared not or TO NO LONGER be a saint.
Dear Saint Christopher,
protect me today in all my travels along the road's way.
Give your warning sign if danger is near so that I may stop while the path is clear.
Be at my window and direct me through when the vision blurs
From out of the blue. Carry me safely to my destined place,
like you carried Christ in your close embrace. Amen.
Keep in mind that the Roman Catholic Church alone DECIDES who is a saint and who is not a saint. And at one time Christopher was canonized to BE a saint. And then later St. Christopher was declared to NO LONGER BE a saint. Canonized saints BY the INFALLIBLE Catholic Church who are now no longer saints! WHAT? How can that be possible for someone to infallibly canonize a Christian to be a saint and then later infallibly UN-canonize that person to say that he or she is no longer a saint?
I mean THINK this through for YOURSELF my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, who are in the Catholic church, HOW can the Catholic church be INFALLIBLE, and then make such a grandeur MISTAKE as this to accidentally or erroneously canonize someone to BE a SAINT and then later officially and infallibly declare that he is NOT a saint after all. There should be all kinds of QUESTIONS going through your mind about the many things that you were TAUGHT in the Catholic Church.
I mean does this now mean that Catholics need to go and check the OFFICIAL list of saints to make sure that their favorite saint is STILL a saint before they pray to them? Please understand that I am asking this question sarcastically.
Can you not SEE my dear brothers and sisters, who are in the Catholic Church, the Almighty God is ALWAYS there for you? You do NOT have to worry that some Pope or the Catholic Church will cross Almighty God off the list as one that you can no longer depend upon. Please do not take this is a sarcastic way. I am sincerely trying to get you to SEE the errors of those, who write church doctrine in the Catholic Church, have made down through the years and that they are NOT INFALLIBLE.
Think this through for YOURSELF! IF the Catholic Church is indeed INFALLIBLE, then there would be absolutely NO CHANGES made neither in doctrine nor in their choosing who is to be a so-called SAINT. You see, St Christopher WAS, as in the PAST tense, the patron saint of travel that so many Catholics were deceived into praying to for so many years. And NOW he has been KICKED OUT of sainthood and replaced by another so-called SAINT.
Here is a Catholic website that explains WHY that certain saints were DROPPED from the list of saints. And if you pay CLOSE attention you will see that the Catholic Church itself is ADMITTING to the TRUTH that PAGANISM did indeed slip into the Catholic Church in the past. I pray that your eyes be opened to this TRUTH in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Here is the link to this article from a Catholic website that explains WHY the Roman Catholic Church has dropped certain saints from the list of canonized saints. But to me, the Catholic Church is trying to EXPLAIN AWAY the ERRORS that they have made in the past rather than being HONEST to Catholics.
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=36
The TRUTH of the matter is that the BIBLE teaches us that ALL Christians are SAINTS. Now, most likely you will NOT see this by reading your “Catholic” Bible or going to a “Catholic” website. But it is made VERY clear to us in the King James Version of the Bible that we are ALL SAINTS right NOW here on the earth. Yes, the Bible ITSELF teaches us that ALL Christians are SAINTS. And, therefore, ONLY Almighty God himself has the authority to declare that a Christian is no longer a saint. And that will only happen IF a Christian dies WHILE living in a lifestyle of SIN.
Please read the following verses from the word of TRUTH, the Holy Bible. Then ASK yourself the QUESTION of WHY does the “Catholic Bible” NOT have the word SAINT in any of these verses? Could it be that the Catholic Church does NOT want you to see the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God? Please keep in mind that I only present you with the EVIDENCE and it is up to YOU to make the choice as to which source you place you’re TRUST with, your very reward of ETERNAL LIFE. It is going to be a religious institution, like the Catholic Church, OR is it going to be the word of TRUTH, the Holy Bible?
Again, these following verses are taken from the King James Bible with the Apocrypha books included so the excuse of not having an approved Catholic Bible cannot be used. Please compare these verse with your so-called “approved” Catholic Bible so you can see how the Roman Catholic Church has deceived you by CHANGING the word SAINTS to the word brethren. The Greek word in the original text is “HAGIOS”, which means SAINT, holy, or holy one. We are made holy BY the shed blood of Jesus. This Greek word is never translated as brethren.
Matthew 27:52.
“And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the SAINTS which slept arose,”
Acts 9:13.
“Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he has done to your SAINTS at Jerusalem:”
Acts 9:32.
“And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the SAINTS which dwelt at Lydda.”
Acts 9:36-41.
“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did.
37. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and DIED: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38. And for as much as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
39. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40. But Peter put them all forth, and knelt down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the SAINTS and widows, presented her alive.”
Acts 26:10.
“Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the SAINTS did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death , I gave my voice against them.”
Romans 1:7.
“To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be SAINTS: (Or called to be HOLY and godly people to walk in righteousness) Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 8:27.
“And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the SAINTS according to the will of God.”
Romans 10:13.
“Distributing to the necessity of SAINTS; (This verse is NOT talking about meeting the needs of the saints in Heaven? This is speaking of SAINTS on the earth.) given to hospitality.”
Romans 15:25,26.
“But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the SAINTS.
26. For it has pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor SAINTS which are at Jerusalem.”
Romans 10:31.
“That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the SAINTS;”
Romans 16:2,15.
“That you receive her in the Lord, as becomes SAINTS, and that you assist her in whatsoever business she has need of you: for she has been a succourer of many, and of myself also.”
1 Corinthians 1:2.
“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:”
There are over one hundred verses in the King James Version of the Bible where we are clearly and plainly taught that believers ON the earth are called SAINTS by the word of TRUTH, the Holy Bible.
You can take a concordance to look all the other verse up for yourself, but I gave you more than enough to show you that it is God alone who says who IS a SAINT and who is not a SAINT.
The point that I am trying to make is the Catholic Church EXALTED ITSELF to say that it alone has the power and the authority to determine WHO will be canonized to be a SAINT. But the TRUTH of the matter is that the Catholic Church has NO such authority. The Catholic Church is DECEIVING you to believe that they have all authority so that they can control you and keep you in their NUMBERS.
Nowhere in the BIBLE are we as Christians taught to pray to ASK the saints up IN HEAVEN to PRAY to Almighty God in our behalf.
The word of TRUTH, the Holy Bible, teaches us to direct our prayers to Almighty God the Father and the use the authority that God has given us to pray in the NAME of JESUS. Please read the studies called “THE POWER & THE AUTHORITY OF THE BELIEVER!” and “JESUS THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES!” for a deeper understanding on SOUND BIBLICAL teaching of HOW we as Christians are to PRAY. And for further study on the subject of whether or not Catholicism is Biblical Christianity please read all the studies under the heading >>>WHAT EVERY CATHOLIC MUST KNOW<<<. And for studies that teach you how to be saved according to the Bible ITSELF please read the studies under the heading >>>WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?<<<
Thanks for reading, and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God.
And to me, the truth concerning who Jesus TRULY is, according to the Bible ITSELF, is the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus.
Once Christians, Jews, Muslims, and even atheists understand the REASON that Yahweh CREATED the Son of MAN, Jesus, was to have DOMINION over the work of Yahweh’s hands.
And after you understand that the REASON that Yahweh did that is to STILL His ENEMIES, Satan and the fallen angels.
Then you can understand that God made His human Son to become “a” Lord, “a” King, and “a” God, under and subject to his God and Father in order to JUDGE Satan and the fallen angels.
For a deeper understanding of this WAR that Lucifer and one third of the angels waged against the throne of Almighty God, please read the studies under the subject category called ** Q-0 Why Are We Here? Is God at WAR? **.
More studies are coming in this SHORTER Biblical Unitarian view of who Jesus is according to the WHOLE word of God.
If you have a PARTICULAR verse of Scripture that you would like to know the sound Biblical Unitarian meaning, then please email me at MarkatAMatterOfTruth@Gmail.com and let me know.
For further and more in-depth studies on this subject of Jesus being created to STILL the enemies of Yahweh, please read the studies called D-25. A NEW LOOK at JOHN 1:1, In the BEGINNING!
And also read the study called D-28. The PRE-ADAMIC LUCIFERIAN FLOOD!
At the top of my homepage, there are subjects or categories which contain compiled lists of ** ALL Studies! ** I have written on that particular subject. So, if a link within a study is broken, then click on ** ALL Studies! ** to find the suggested study.
Or you can scroll down to the MORE dropdown menu list to find those studies as well.
Thanks again for reading, and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God.
And to me, the truth concerning who Jesus TRULY is, according to the Bible ITSELF, is the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus.
And again, for ALL of the studies on the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus, please click on the subject heading ** D-0 The BIBLICAL UNITARIAN VIEW of Jesus! **
And for the SUBJECT on the true foundation of the church, please click on the subject heading ** C-0 The TRUE FOUNDATION of the Church! **
This way you can just send ONE link to those who you want to share the TRUE sound Biblical FOUNDATIONAL teachings of the church that Jesus and his Apostles taught in the first century church.
Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Brother Mark.
My heartfelt prayer is that all Christians RETURN to the TRUE FOUNDATION of the church that is taught by the very Apostles of Jesus in the first century.
So let us all come into the UNITY of the faith and return to what Jesus and his Apostles taught us in SIMPLICITY in the New Testament.
To learn more TRUTH, then please return to:
My HOMEPAGE at
Or
Type in the SEARCH bar
Or
The Church of the Firstborn of God
Or
Go to my NEW Website at
Also, here is the MASTER Menu List of my 8 NEW BOOKS with LINKS to all of the chapters in those eight new books.
Always be faithful to share, to preach, and to teach the whole gospel of Jesus Christ!
Report abuse