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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[Hoodat]

It is my understanding that the word 'saint' was originally derived from the Greek word 'santos' which was used to describe the temple prostitutes of Greek polytheism as 'those who serve the gods'. Fast forward now to Christianity where the word 'saint' continues to define those who serve God.

It would be interesting to examine older translations to compare instances of the word 'saint' in Psalms for example with those found in Paul's letter to the church in Rome. But in either case, the word 'saint' refers to people who are still living.

As for the saints who are on the earth,
“They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”

Psalm 16:3


Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

Romans 16:15

[driftdiver]

Denominations which believe the Jesus is the Way are the right one.

Churches which put things of men above the Word are questionable.

Jesus did not found the Catholic Church, he founded the Church. All else is of men.

[narses]

“I place my faith in Christ and Christ alone.”

And yet Our Lord gave us His Apostles, and His Church who then gave us the Bible.

[narses]

“Denominations which believe the Jesus is the Way are the right one.”

That is exactly what the Catholic Church teaches, again and again. For over 2,000 years, in every nation.

[ealgeone]

I would say anyone, whether on this earth or in Heaven who had faith in Christ would be considered a saint. Once you leave this life, I see no reason why this should change.

[driftdiver]

I haven’t said a word against the Catholic Church. Perhaps you see my questions as an attack.

Since you brought it up why does the Catholic Church put the things of men above Jesus and the Word of God?

[narses]

Moses and Elias had died long before Our Lord had His public ministry. Right?

[driftdiver]

Sure

[metmom]

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

I don't know what Protestants do, but we Christian non-Catholics don't repeat canned prayers.

Since God is our Father we talk to Him like that.

I guess without canned prayers that others wrote for them to vainly repeat, the average Catholic wouldn't have a clue what to do or say to God the Father. Our prayers are not incantations with the thinking that *Well, if we say this, the right way, often enough, and with enough "sincerity", then SOMEONE SOMEWHERE must have to hear and answer....*

What a gross misunderstanding of prayer Catholicism has.

[mlizzy]

More spectacularly unique than Jesus? And then the saint gets all the credit?

Do you ever pay attention to what you're reading; kneejerking out responses (which you frequently do) shows an impatience; do you not see that?

[Hoodat]

All one has to do is read the Book of Revelation about the saints with bowls of incense — our prayer rising upward to them — and they passing them on to Jesus.

You might want to go back and read that again. It refers to the prayers of the saints - not our prayers to the saints. It is speaking about those still living who serve God.

[narses]

“Since you brought it up why does the Catholic Church put the things of men above Jesus and the Word of God?”

They do not. That you claim such a thing reveals an amazing ignorance of what the Church teaches and has always taught.

To help you, let me point you at: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p1s2c2a2.htm

[narses]

Good. Then how was it that they appeared AFTER DEATH with Our Lord at his Transfiguration?

See St. Matthew (17:1-6), St. Mark (9:1-8), and St. Luke (9:28-36), and St. Peter (2 Peter 1:16-18) and St. John (1:14).

[narses]

See http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04171a.htm

[driftdiver]

Then why do you say the Catholic Church created the Bible. That the Catholic Church is the source of knowledge and direction.

Why does the Catholic Church feel the need to create all this doctrine to supplement the Bible?

Why does the Catholic Church say I have to go through an earthly intermediary to talk to God?

[mlizzy]

All people are sinners except for Christ. So I should ask a sinner for help when I could ask the sinless who sits at the right hand of God?

No, you need not. Praying for intercession is primarily a "Catholic" thing, and "most" all Catholics understand the importance of the saints. I wouldn't expect a non-Catholic to understand; if one did, however, they'd probably eventually convert to the Faith. Why? Because so many saints would be praying for them! :)

[driftdiver]

“Good. Then how was it that they appeared AFTER DEATH with Our Lord at his Transfiguration?”

Probably because God sent them.

Are you now saying you have the power of God?

[driftdiver]

I have a lot of saints who will pray for me. Sometimes I dont even need to ask.

Real live saints.

[Revolting cat!]

I’ve been praying to Aints!

[narses]

“Then why do you say the Catholic Church created the Bible.”

Let’s take this one at a time. Many Gospels and psuedo-gospels were written AFTER the Church began with “And he said to them, Go out all over the world and preach the gospel to the whole of creation; 16 he who believes and is baptized will be saved; he who refuses belief will be condemned...”, it was the Apostles and their successors who wrote and codified the Bible over the first three centuries.

Unless you believe there was NO church? If you agree that Our Lord founded a Church, then it follows that it was that Church that codified His Word, no?