It’s Biblical to Ask Saints to Pray for Us

Ignitum Today ^ | 15 September 2013 | Matthew Olson

[matthewrobertolson]

(This was originally shared here on AnsweringProtestants.com, as part of a longer post.)

There is nothing wrong with asking the heavenly saints to pray for us.

Many Protestants argue that asking the saints to pray for us is “unbiblical,” while throwing around verses like 1 Timothy 2:5. But they are incorrect.

1 Timothy 2:5 — the infamous “one mediator between God and men” verse — refers to salvation, not prayer. The verse reminds us that it is only because of the graces found through Christ (God Himself) that we are able to have any real relationship with God and reach Heaven. It does not, however, absolutely negate relations with angels or heavenly saints. After all, it was an angel (Gabriel) that spoke to Mary before Christ was conceived in her body, not God Himself.

I was raised in several Protestant denominations. They all placed a major emphasis on Christians praying for each other — which is encouraged in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 and other passages. I would contend that a saint, one who is holy and in Heaven with God, would have a lot more sway with God than a rebellious sinner on earth would.

To put that another way, if someone asked you to do something for them, would you not be more likely to help them if they were your best friend, as opposed to a complete stranger? Of course, you may very well be willing to do something for a complete stranger, but you would probably be more willing to do something for your best friend.

And there is evidence in the Bible of the saints praying to God.

“Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.” – Revelation 8:3-4

The word for “saints” in that passage comes from the Greek word hagios. Thayer’s New Testament Greek-English Lexicon says that the best definition of hagios is “most holy thing, a saint”. This would seem to undermine the Protestant assertion that “saints” in this context can only refer to people on earth.

Now, what would the saints be praying for? Themselves? Doubtful. They are in Heaven, so they do not need anything, as eternal life with God is perfect. That really only leaves one option: they are praying for us. And because they are praying for us anyway, how could it be wrong to ask them to pray for us about something specific? It is like interacting with a DJ at an event. He’s playing music anyway, so what is the harm in asking him to play your favorite song?

Here’s my Scripture-based defense of the practice that should answer most Protestant objections:

Matthew 17:3-4 & Luke 9:28-31.
Moses and Elijah (who are clearly heavenly saints, not “saints” in the way Paul would sometimes use the word) are with Christ during the Transfiguration.

Revelation 6:9-11.
The martyrs can talk to God.

From those three passages, we can gather that the saints in Heaven interact with God.

Luke 15:10.
The angels and saints (who, in Luke 20:35-36, Christ says are equal to the angels) are aware of earthly events.

1 Timothy 2:1 & James 5:16.
It is good for Christians to pray for one another.

Now, if the saints interact with God and are aware of earthly events (and can therefore hear us), why wouldn’t they pray for us, considering that it is good for Christians (which the angels and saints definitely are) to pray for one another?

Revelation 21:27.
Nothing imperfect will enter into Heaven.

Psalm 66:18 & James 5:16.
God ignores the prayers of the wicked, and the prayers of the righteous are effective.

Because the saints have reached perfection (they are in Heaven), their prayers are more effective than the prayers of those that are less righteous, so that’s why one might ask them to pray instead of asking another Christian on earth or simply doing it themselves.

(All verses are from the NASB translation.)

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[caww]

“......we’re simply asking them (people who have died and now one place or the other) to help us, by praying to God on our behalf....”

In doing so it's no different than those who inquire of spirits in a seance....or New Agers who speak with so called descended masters. Our God is a God of distinctions....HE draws lines we cannot nor should we seek to pass....this is one of them...and He's quite clear about that.

[verga]

the verses cited don’t back up the thread claim. You have to imply they do.

Hmmm this is what we say about Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide.

[verga]

Luke 11:1-13 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”

If this is the only prayer that protestants are allowed to say it really shoots that whole "vain repetition thing in the foot.

[driftdiver]

So “men”, albeit well educated men, decide who is in heaven?

I disagree with all my heart. Unless of course you have a copy of the Book of Life.

Nothing any man or group of men has to say on the subject means a thing.

[Truth2012]

I was responding the post I responded to, which may not have been the general question of the header. :) AND the answer to the general question is that all children of God are Saints, therefore anytime you ask someone to share your burden with you, and they pray to intercede on your behalf, you are asking a saint to pray for you.

Yes- it is Biblical to ask a saint to pray for you.

[cva66snipe]

I once had a Jewish friend call me and ask if I thought it was OK if she prayed to St. Anthony for help in finding something she had lost. I told her I did not see a problem with it. Anthony was a real person, he lived and died and is in heaven, why couldn’t she ask him for help, even as much as she might ask her dead father or grandmother for guidance or comfort or aid.

Because the earthly mother, father, aunt, uncle, brother, or sister, who are now with The Lord can not help you. If that were so I know at least three persons my earthly dad now with The Lord would be freed of their afflictions and able to walk. How about two asking? His sister was the earthly grandmother of two of those persons. Certainly two souls in heaven asking and interceding? No! What happens on earth short of GOD's Own Will and purpose will run it's course unless prayers from the believers on earth has Him to reconsider or intercede on our behalf. As another person pointed out we have intercession within us by the Holy Spirit which is constantly interceding for us.

I loved my dad more than any man I knew on earth. Besides The Lord Himself dad was the one always I went to for advice and when I became an adult the advice exchange over the years became mutual. He was my best friend as well.

Dad & his sister prayed all the time for his sister's two grandchildren and also for my wife who are all confined to wheelchairs. Dad's sister passed about five years ago and my dad passed two years ago next month. Does he or his sister know what is happening down here? I don't think so. Not in a sense we would recognize anyway. Heaven is not a place of sorrows and the pains from this world are no more and that includes seeing loved ones suffer.

Jesus Christ did not leave mankind alone went He went to The Throne beside The Father. He left everyone The Holy Spirit. Yes even unsaved sinners. The Holy Spirit ministers to us one and all convicting our hearts of sin and gives us the call of salvation through Jesus Christ. We on earth have free will to accept or reject the Holy Spirit's guidance and Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The final rejection of The Holy Spirit's calling of one to come to Jesus Christ is the unforgivable sin of man.

[narses]

caww wrote: ‘In doing so it’s no different than those who inquire of spirits in a seance....or New Agers who speak with so called descended masters. ‘

Wrong. We do what the Faithful have done from the days of the Apostles, we follow the teaching of the Church. That you try and equate that with new age drivel speaks about how you think much more than it adds to the discussion of what Christian teaching and practice are and have always been.

[narses]

So you deny the truth in the Apostles Creed? What denomination do you hold as correct?

[metmom]

That little child, if his/her father was somewhat firm, might go to their mother, and ask, "Could you please ask dad to allow me to have a puppy?"

And not one parent worth their salt would let their children play one against the other. Those are terrible parents who raise manipulative brats for children.

Saints were regular people other than the fact they put Christ above all. So they are easier to approach for many people.

Than who? Jesus? If someone thinks that other people are easier to approach than Jesus, their concept of Jesus is VERY SERIOUSLY FLAWED.

And since they all led the most spectacularly unique lives (again, all for Jesus!), this draws many asking for favors (of intercession). There have been many miracles attributed to the intercession of saints; some saints are almost ridiculously "popular," but it's always Christ Who allows the miracle... attributed to a saint.

More spectacularly unique than Jesus? And then the saint gets all the credit? And God is what? Chopped liver?

The God who will share His glory with no other?

Whatever happened to *looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith*?

[narses]

Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem;
Creatorem caeli et terrae.

Et in Jesum Christum,
Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum;
qui conceptus est
de Spiritu Sancto,
natus ex Maria virgine;
passus sub Pontio Pilato,
crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus;
descendit ad inferos;
tertia die resurrexit a mortuis;
ascendit ad caelos;
sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis;
inde venturus est
iudicare vivos et mortuos.

Credo in Spiritum Sanctum;
sanctam ecclesiam catholicam;
sanctorum communionem;
remissionem peccatorum;
carnis resurrectionem;
vitam aeternam. Amen.

In English:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived
by the power of the Holy Spirit,
and born of the Virgin Mary,
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
he will come again
to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen

[ealgeone]

that’s a man-made Saint.

I’m more interested in a Heavenly declared saint....in other words, a follower of Christ.

[driftdiver]

What did I post that makes you introduce the Apostles Creed?

Here’s the catholic version from Wiki. Please indicate where anyone on earth has a say in judgement.

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.

[rwilson99]

Hundreds named Christ the King, Sacred Heart (for his Sacred Heart), Corpus Christi (for his Sacred Body)

probably more that I can’t remember off the top of my head.

[Hoodat]

What is the value of praying to dead humans when I have a direct line to a living and true God?

WINNER!



But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

-Matthew 6:6-

[rwilson99]

If the Saints are dead... John 3:16 is a lie.

[driftdiver]

The question was “Is it Biblical for men to raise another man to be a Saint?”.

Nothing you’ve posted answers that question.

All who have been saved through the grace of Jesus Christ are saints. Are we really talking the same thing as the Saints God refers to in his Word?

[driftdiver]

Now thats a strawman to end all strawmen.

[ealgeone]

I’m glad to hear that, but your original post that started all of this identified a saint as:

“I would contend that a saint, one who is holy and in Heaven with God, would have a lot more sway with God than a rebellious sinner on earth would.”

that’s a man-made, possibly Catholic tradition, definition that ignores the Biblical definition of a saint. the whole “canonization” of saints is again, man-made.

The Biblical definition of a saint is one who follows Christ. Doesn’t matter if you’re in Heaven or still here on earth.

[Salvation]

The real Saints are “heavenly made” as you say. Are you aware that miracles must be proven before they can be pronounced a Saint?

Did you read the thread links? It explains the three steps to Sainthood.

[driftdiver]

You might also go into an explanation of where the Apostles Creed comes from and why you think it should be held above the Bible.