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To: Natural Law
The practice of revering and worshiping "Saints" is a continuation of Roman culture in which there were literally hundreds of minor dieties, household gods and gods of special causes.

The following is an excerpt from the Catholic Answers Web Site, and explains there is a biblical basis for the belief in, and value of, the prayers of the Saints in heaven.

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In Heaven and On Earth

The Bible directs us to invoke those in heaven and ask them to pray with us. Thus in Psalms 103, we pray, "Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word! Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will!" (Ps. 103:20-21). And in Psalms 148 we pray, "Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his host!" (Ps. 148:1-2).

Not only do those in heaven pray with us, they also pray for us. In the book of Revelation, we read: "[An] angel came and stood at the altar [in heaven] with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God" (Rev. 8:3-4).

And those in heaven who offer to God our prayers aren’t just angels, but humans as well. 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). The simple fact is, as this passage shows: The saints in heaven offer to God the prayers of the saints on earth.

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39 posted on 11/30/2004 12:00:16 PM PST by power2 (JMJ)
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To: power2
P2,

Your post is very interesting.

While the first part of your post, quoting Psalms 103 doesn't "directs us to invoke those in heaven and ask them to pray with us", it is the second part I was intrigued by. I agree, incidently that those in heaven, saints and angels praise God.

Revelation is interesting ...

Let's assume your statement is correct... "The simple fact is, as this passage shows: The saints in heaven offer to God the prayers of the saints on earth."

We are still left with the argument from nothing that we should pray to saints who are now in heaven.

We are to pray to God alone.

best to you, ampu

45 posted on 11/30/2004 1:02:20 PM PST by aMorePerfectUnion
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To: power2

Don't get me started on the Book of Revelations. I find Bishops of Nicene even less devine than many of the saints.


47 posted on 11/30/2004 1:12:52 PM PST by Natural Law
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