Completely unScriptural. No need for a saint to do this. In fact the Scriptural revelation to Paul is that the Holy Spirit does this for us.
Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
The Holy Spirit even makes intercession for the saints......why would we want the saints to intercede for us? The answer is we wouldn't because there is no need to. The saints even have their hearts searched because they can't "do it in a better way." Praying to the saints is a false belief that they have more power than they actually have and puts others (some perceived saint) in front of God the Father.
Yes, God did chose humans to spread his Word and divulge Scripture via the Holy Spirit.
God often chooses mere human beings to act as "go-betweens" in the communications between God and other human beings, and anyone who would deny that would be foolishly and willfully ignorant (and wrong).
Was that strawman difficult to build? Throughout Scripture, this is demonstrated - thoroughly. However, nowhere does it say anything about praying to a saint (ie an individual in Heaven) - which is the topic at hand.
If God does choose to use mere human beings to speak to us through them (such as in the written books of the Bible), then God is obviously NOT adverse to using mere human being go-betweens in God's communications with other human beings, and actually often chooses to communicate that way (via a go-between human being).
Now, did Jesus say pray to the saints, or did He always say to pray to the Father? As in directly to the Father?
Throughout Scripture, the prophets and Biblical patriarchs prayed either directly to God, or asked a flesh and blood minister (prophet, priest, friend) to pray for them. There is not one Biblical reference of praying to a saint or anyone in the Kingdom of Heaven other than God.
Jesus was given to us to atone for our sins, and to confess/intercede on our behalf. There is no reason for a saint to do this. Why would God send his only begotten Son to intercede for us if a saint's intercession would suffice?
He provided us the law to show us what sin was, to keep His chosen people Holy (through deed, spirituality, diet etc) in preparation for the Messiah, and to show us that we need Him. He provided His prophets and the patriarchs to lead and instruct the people in the flesh. Jesus as a fisher of men, attracted the Apostles to bear Witness and document the Gospel.........there is no need for any saint or go between other than Jesus. Jesus is supposed to be our example of a Christian life.
...and even Jesus deferred that when you pray, pray thus "Our Father..." or "to the Father." Never, 'dear Saint suchandsuch, please ask God to...." Now, we are instructed to pray for one another, pray for the sick, the widow, the fatherless, etc.....but this is our earthly duty and the prayer is to "Our Father," it still doesn't say pray for each other and ask some saint to pray also.
We can pray directly to God the Father, and our only needed or directed intercession siteth on the Right Hand of God the Father in Heaven - the only begotten Son.
Praying to a saint or needing a Heavenly intercession other than Jesus is not Scriptural. In fact, it goes against Biblical teachings that Salvation and Heavenly intercession are through Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone.
Matthew 11:25-27 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Pretty apparent that it is only through the Son. The Son knows the Father. The Son reveals the Father. The Father through the Son. Still doesn't ay anything about any saints.
Christianity is not a chose your own adventure novel where you get to pick the wording and arrange things to mean what you want.
“Completely unScriptural. No need for a saint to do this. In fact the Scriptural revelation to Paul is that the Holy Spirit does this for us.”
The Holy Spirit helps us to pray. Prays besides us.
Scripture itself says that Prayer is efficacious and we are commanded to pray for one another.
Again, the root of the problem is that you don’t believe in the communion of saints, which is in the Apostle’s Creed.
“why would we want the saints to intercede for us?”
That’s a good question. Saints are our brothers and sisters, many of whom have suffered in similar ways as we did. They understand and the know what we are going through. They are also models for the faith whom we are called to emulate.
My patron is St. Hilary of Tours. Occasionally I will ask him to pray for me. More often I will ask St. Therese (who’s a wonderful and very holy lady), and Mary sometimes too.
“The answer is we wouldn’t because there is no need to.”
So your faith has a utilitarian ethos?
“Praying to the saints is a false belief”
Indeed, which is why Catholics don’t pray to Saints.
“puts others (some perceived saint) in front of God the Father.”
Some perceived saint. Is it not said by your side that all believers (save Catholics, natch), are saints?
“However, nowhere does it say anything about praying to a saint”
Again, something which Catholics do not do.
“Now, did Jesus say pray to the saints, or did He always say to pray to the Father? As in directly to the Father?”
Did Jesus say, “don’t ask the saints in heaven to pray for you?”
If not, why then do you believe this? Someone taught you this.
“asked a flesh and blood minister (prophet, priest, friend) to pray for them.”
So if intercession is permitted then I don’t see how intercession by the saints in heaven is forbidden. Arguing that the ‘Saints are dead’ is contrary to our hope in the resurrection of Christ and that the dead are not the dead, but the living. Christ himself says this!
“There is no reason”
Again, Catholics do not teach this.
“there is no need”
Again, a utilitarian ethos. This is the problem. You’re saying we should only do what is ‘needed’ without asking the question - how do you know what God wants? Are you God?
“it still doesn’t say pray for each other and ask some saint to pray also.”
Where does it say that one ceases praying for one another in heaven?
“We can pray directly to God the Father, and our only needed or directed intercession siteth on the Right Hand of God the Father in Heaven - the only begotten Son.”
Ok, great. You do that. what gives you the authority to demand that others do as you wish because you believe it’s ‘unnecessary’. Does God say it is unnecessary or do you say this?
“Praying to a saint or needing a Heavenly intercession other than Jesus is not Scriptural.”
There’s that word, again. A utilitarian ethos.
“In fact, it goes against Biblical teachings that Salvation and Heavenly intercession are through Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone.”
The bible does not actually say this. A mediator is not the same as an intercessor. This is yet another protestant interpolation.
“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”
I don’t see the word ‘intercession’ here anywhere.
“Christianity is not a chose your own adventure novel where you get to pick the wording and arrange things to mean what you want.”
Wise words from a protestant!