If the guy in the pew is living openly with his girlfriend, while in the process of divorcing his wife, will his prayers be more or less effective?
If a brother is openly holding a strong grudge and refusing to forgive someone else, will that impact the effectiveness of his prayers?
Now how about...(say) Billy Graham (were he still down here) or the Pope?
How much more then, one specially consecrated by God to be the chosen vessel to bear God's only Son, the "handmaiden of the Lord"...
You also might want to consider 1 Kings 2:17 as an example of "Queen Mother" and her influence on the King ("Queen of Heaven" *is* found in the old Testament, but you're going to have a hard row to hoe if you DARE suggest that the Virgin Mary is the same as a pagan goddess.)
And then take a peek at Mark 12:27; and (just to tweak your nose) 1 Cor 15:29 where Paul (you know, SAINT Paul) writes of folks being baptized for the dead, as an argument in favor of the resurrection of the dead.
In the mean time, you might also take a big dose of Romans 14.
Cheers!
Are you saying that my friends, the ones I ask to pray with me, are atheists and adulterers? I can’t believe you’d be so crass as to say that my friends are godless and adulterers. Do you so love Rome that you find yourself slandering those who trust in Christ?
Do you really think Paul was advocating baptism for the dead? Seriously?
Tell you what: Cling to Rome. See if Rome saves you. As for me, I will look to Christ, my crucified Savior.
I hate Rome. I hate what it does to people. I hate how it turns people against other believers. I hate how it twists people to hate other Christ-followers. I hate Rome for how it divides the Bride of Christ, how it pollutes the beauty of Christ and His Bride.