Where is it written in the Bible to pray to Saints?

Michie

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 5, 2002
165,483
55,182
Woods
✟4,582,836.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Upvote 0

thecolorsblend

If God is your Father, who is your Mother?
Supporter
Jul 1, 2013
9,199
8,425
Gotham City, New Jersey
✟308,231.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
I’ve heard negative things about Catholics praying to Mary, and I always wondered if it’s a misunderstanding and they don’t, or what the biblical basis is for it? Thanks!
Others have covered the Communion of the Saints.

So what I'll say is that Catholics don't believe that a given doctrine or religious practice necessarily must be adduced from Sacred Scripture. As important as Sacred Scripture is, it's not our sole authority.

Therefore, this #ShowMeInTheBibleWhere thing is not a limitation for us.
 
Upvote 0

MariaJLM

Crazy Cat Lady
Aug 1, 2018
1,117
1,475
33
Calgary
✟50,815.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Celibate
Politics
CA-Others
Others have covered the Communion of the Saints.

So what I'll say is that Catholics don't believe that a given doctrine or religious practice necessarily must be adduced from Sacred Scripture. As important as Sacred Scripture is, it's not our sole authority.

Therefore, this #ShowMeInTheBibleWhere thing is not a limitation for us.

What a lot of people do definitely seem to miss is that Sola Scriptura was a completely unknown concept in the early church. In fact, back then Christians had to rely entirely on tradition rather than scripture since the scriptures were written down later. Trying to explain that to somebody who believes in Sola Scriptura, though, is often like talking to a brick wall.
 
Upvote 0

thecolorsblend

If God is your Father, who is your Mother?
Supporter
Jul 1, 2013
9,199
8,425
Gotham City, New Jersey
✟308,231.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
What a lot of people do definitely seem to miss is that Sola Scriptura was a completely unknown concept in the early church. In fact, back then Christians had to rely entirely on tradition rather than scripture since the scriptures were written down later. Trying to explain that to somebody who believes in Sola Scriptura, though, is often like talking to a brick wall.
Indeed. And explaining to them that a lack of a defined canon was a big motivator behind the formulation of the creeds usually has about the same result.

Remember, try to love their souls anyway.
 
Upvote 0

TuxAme

Quis ut Deus?
Supporter
Dec 16, 2017
2,422
3,264
Ohio
✟169,197.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Celibate
Define "pray", because it seems that only Catholics and Orthodox (the "apostolic churches") use the "Old English" definition, which essentially equates to "ask". So, we "ask" the saints to bring our petitions to Jesus, who can bring them to the Father- not that He isn't already aware of what we'll ask, but to allow the saints also to add to our prayers by praying for our petition as well.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

St. Helens

I stand with Israel
Christian Forums Staff
Administrator
CF Staff Trainer
Supporter
Jul 24, 2007
59,012
9,667
Lower Slower Minnesota
✟1,216,603.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-American-Solidarity
MOD HAT ON

OBOB Statement of Purpose
OBOB welcomes non-Catholic guests who wish to fellowship or ask respectful questions.
Definition of a Fellowship Post

It is not:

It is not debate.
It is not apologetics.
It is not answering questions related to the beliefs of the group.
It is not teaching in any way on any issue


It is:
Essentially Fellowship is defined as a discussion of topics of association, of companionship - i.e. discussions of things like friends, family, work..... these are fellowship posts. And posts that genuinely offer friendship would certainly be described as fellowship.

MOD HAT OFF
 
Upvote 0

Chrystal-J

The one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
12,798
5,987
Detroit
✟798,061.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Widowed
Politics
US-Others
1 Corinthians 6:2-3
2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!
Revelation 8:3-4
3 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, 4 and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.

These two verses talk about the relationship between people and saints. If saints (Rev 8) are already in heaven, what do they need to pray for? They're passing along prayers of the people whom they will judge.
 
Upvote 0

Beloved2018

Theotokos, Pregnant With Christ, Save Us!
Supporter
Jan 11, 2018
574
414
43
KY
✟54,640.00
Country
United States
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Private
In my opinion we do pray to saints. As TuxAme said, 'pray' is just an outdated word for 'ask' or 'beseech'. It's a lovely word. I think I'm going to start using it. Do my part in demystifying it.
Also I think this is a fair question to ask. Catholics may not adhere to Scripture Alone, but Scripture covers the time of Creation to a few of Saint John's letters and is a compilation of a variety of genres including hymnody/prayers. In all that, it's very curious to not find one example of one saint (on earth) beseeching another in paradise/heaven to pray for them. So I look forward to delving through the links everyone provided.
 
  • Like
Reactions: anna ~ grace
Upvote 0