For the same reason we were meant to pray for those still on earth, fellowship, expressing our love for one another.
The whole reason we feel confident in praying to them is because we’re confident they’re already in heaven, happy with Jesus.
Either they are fully part of the body or they are not. You think that getting *to* heaven is the end goal & once there it becomes all about getting more people there?
Has it ever occurred to you that when your pastor stands up there and prays HIS prayer and you sit there with your head bowed, that he’s interceding for you?
Yes, of course.
Why do you have your preacher intercede for you?
And the congregation intercedes for him.
Aren’t your own prayers good enough?
Yes, they are.
Or is it because you think he has the “right” words?
We don't do the high priest gig, sorry.
Yeah, I thought so.
You thought so what?
And why bother praying for others? Aren’t you interceding for them?
I am & I do.
Let them pray for themselves! If they are among God’s elect, He will know his own.
Or more like, if they've already made it they no longer need our prayers, right?
Why should they need prayers? Does God decide what He Will do based on how many prayers someone receives? Where does it say we should pray for ‘fellership’ or to express love for feller human beins?