Both of us know that God doesn't "need" prayers in order to shape up His priorities list, or to nag Him into getting on the job. He doesn't "need" to hear from everybody on a FR prayer ping list; He doesn't "need" me to ask you, or my husband, or the Blessed Virgin Mary for intercession; He doesn't need me! He knows my thoughts before I do!
I believe He has commanded us to pray, for our own good; and to pray for others, for that good, multiplied.
The truth I have before me always, is this: (1 Corinthians 12:27) "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." We are--- as ST. Paul says --- the limbs and senses of Christ on this earth: we are His cells, tissues, organs and systems.
That means we're always in effective and vital contact with each other, with the other parts of His Body, no matter how distant they may be from us in time and space, in heaven and on earth. (1 Corinthians 12:21) "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don’t need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don’t need you!'"
Can I say, then, "I don't need you" to those righteous people whose prayers, St. James says, are "powerful and effective"?
Or do the prayers of the saints on earth become in effective when they become saints in Heaven? That can't be. St. John says that in Heaven, the angels intercede by bringing our prayers to God: (Revelation 8:3): " Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne."
So, does God "need" angels to bring Him the prayers of people on earth? No. But to do it this way, glorifies Him, as all of His loved ones join together by loving one another in prayer. Paul says: " (2 Corinthians 1:11} Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."
So, dear metmom, as God is glorified when everyone in His Body is praying constantly for each other, I commit myself to pray always with and for and through the intercession of these righteous people. Their prayers availeth much.
Blessed Virgn Mary, pray for us! All you angels and saints, pray for us!
Metmom, pray for us! Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
The angels are ministering servants to minister to those of us who are saved.
They are sent at God's command.
So, does God "need" angels to bring Him the prayers of people on earth? No. But to do it this way, glorifies Him, as all of His loved ones join together by loving one another in prayer. Paul says: " (2 Corinthians 1:11} Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."
Sorry, that does not say that the incense is the prayer TO the angel or that the angel carried them from people. It just says he offered the incense at teh same time.
I have no argument at all about praying in one accord, in agreement, with anyone with whom I can communicate here on this earth.
I do take exception to the practice and teaching that those who have passed on can have anything more to do with us.
Perhaps they are praying for us in heaven. Be that as it may, that still does not justify a practice that is neither commanded or endorsed by Scripture.
Seriously, if it were that important, do you not think that God would have told us about it or to do it?
Can I say, then, "I don't need you" to those righteous people whose prayers, St. James says, are "powerful and effective"?
Those verse about the body are in regard to the exercise of spiritual gifts, not praying. And those of us clothed in the righteousness of Christ, who are already seated in the heavenly places with Christ, already are positionally as righteous as we can be.