Understanding Catholic Doctrine Scripture – Intercessory Prayer
There are many people who have used praying to someone other than God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit as a weapon against Catholics to say that they "Worship Idols." This piece is for those who are genuinely confused about: How and Why intercessory prayer applies to all faiths, not just Catholics.
Intercessory Prayer to the Saints
- Romans 15:30 Dear Brother and Sisters, I urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to join me in the struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.
- I Thessalonians 5:25 Dear brother and sisters, pray for us.
- II Thessalonians 1:11, 3:1 And so we keep on praying for you that our God will make you worthy of the life to which he called you. And we pray that Go with his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds. Finally, dear brothers and sisters, I ask you pray for us.
- Ephesians 6:18-19 Pray at all time in the name of the Holy Spirit and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. And, pray for me too.
- Tobit 12:12 When you prayed, Tobit, and when Sarah prayed, it was I who brought your prayer into the presence of the glorious Lord, and I was there whenever you buried the dead.
- Revelation 5:8 Each one had a harp, and they held the gold bowls filled with incense---the prayers of God's people.
With just these few verses the scriptures cry out with prayer in many ways. It is good to pray through others to the Saints and those that we love and the communion of saints as well, which is in the Nicene Creed.
Support Verses Against Deuteronomy Challenge Verse
Saints dead, prayer is necromancy (Dt 18:10-11)
(This verse used to challenge Catholic doctrines) In opposition to this claim the following verses render strong voice:
- Mk 12:26-27 But now, as to whether the dead will be raised---haven't you read about Moses, in the story of the burning bush? Long after Abraham, Issac, and Jacob died, God said to Moses, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Issac, and the God of Jacob.' So he is the God of the living, not the dead. You have made a serious error..
- Mk 9:4 Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus. This exchange occurred during the Transfiguration at Mt. Tabor.
- Lk 23:43, Rev 6:9-11 And when the lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the Word of God and for being helpful in their witness. They called loudly to the Lord and said, 'O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge the people who who belong to this world for what they have done to us? When will you avenge our blood against these people? Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told a little while longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters---their fellow servants of Jesus---had been martyred.
- Lk 16:19-30 departed rich man intercedes for brothers
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This article is meant to be essentially for reference and clarification purposes.
Hi Redd,
Who is a Saint?
In the Catholic Church a saint is someone who the Church declared by heroic virtue, and the life they lived to be a saint. A good example about the process would be Mother Teressa of Calcutta. The Church requires that at least two document-able miracles are attributable to the person after their death.
This short one-pager outlines the Catholic process of Sainthood.
I hope that helps.
Walkin Charlie
Greetings CC,
As taught in Judaism, Deut.18:10 - 11 is not a warning against the saintly, but against the false prophet.
Prayer originated in the Old Testament, the most notable in Deut.26:1 - 11.
As far as intercessory prayer in Judaism, we have that through the priestly blessings. We include in our liturgy Num.6:24 - 27, aka "May the L-rd bless you and keep you, etc...", which, when proclaimed aloud, is done through the "Kohanim" in attendance.
That said, the overwhelming majority of prayer in Judaism is directly to The Holy Blessed One.