[narses]

"You are communicating with someone who has died."

Died and reborn in Heaven. The Communion of the Saints is an essential part of Christianity. The human part of Heaven, the Church Triumphant, certainly exists and certainly adds their prayers to the Church Militant (the mortal elect here on Earth) fighting for the Reign of Christ the King.

[savedbygrace]

Again, that is not the issue at hand. Does scripture teach that those on earth are to pray to those who have died and are now in heaven? I say, no. Others have said, yes, but to this point there has been no effective sourcing of that concept in scripture.

[MiniCooperChick]

As others have pointed out, if you ask other people to pray for your intentions, then you are doing nothing different than Catholics do when we pray for the intercession of the Angels and Saints.

The difference is significant. You are communicating with someone who has died. That is the crux of the discussion.

Died and reborn in Heaven. The Communion of the Saints is an essential part of Christianity. The human part of Heaven, the Church Triumphant, certainly exists and certainly adds their prayers to the Church Militant (the mortal elect here on Earth) fighting for the Reign of Christ the King.

I agree that they are alive in heaven; that is not the issue.

THAT IS PRECISELY THE ISSUE!
You admit that those to whom we request Heavenly intercession through prayer ARE "alive in heaven" so clearly we are not "communicating with the dead".

Why don't you just agree to disagree with Catholics and leave it at that?

You certainly could follow your own advice, true?

I was offering information to answer your repetitive, obviously anti-Catholic questions. I am happy to "agree to disagree" but you are not at that point in the discussion yet, and probably never will be.

That said, I have a question to you....you said that you would NEVER pray a "man-made" prayer (in so many words) because it's not "Scripturally Based". Does this mean you never make up your own prayers but only feel qualified to pray by repeating Scripture only? This is a serious question, and I would REALLY appreciate a response. Thanks! 0:-) MCC