It answered the question for 2,000 years nowSorry it does not answer it for you CJ
Okie I do not see why this should be a problem... The Church has been practicing this for 2 millenia now if it was NOT politically correct due to the fact that it was not mentioned into scripture then.... Christ allowed for this be practiced for that long. Asking a friend to pray for us while he is asleep in the Lord.... should not be a problem IMHO.I have to go with "maybe" because it's not stated in the Bible and we aren't with the saints to know that they can hear.
Okie I do not see why this should be a problem... The Church has been practicing this for 2 millenia now if it was NOT politically correct due to the fact that it was not mentioned into scripture then.... Christ allowed for this be practiced for that long. Asking a friend to pray for us while he is asleep in the Lord.... should not be a problem IMHO.
I like to make sure my prayers aren't in vain. I know for a fact God hears me. I never said anything was wrong with praying to the dead for intersession. I just don't see a point to doing it.
Does God hear someone when they ask for the prayers of a saint? Do you hear yourself? Sometimes saying things in a heartfelt way can bring about changes in your behavior and thought processes. Meditating on the life of a great saint and then saying "pray for me" can't hurt imo. Even if the saints themselves do not hear it it could still have positive effect.i like to make sure my prayers aren't in vain. I know for a fact God hears me.
I agree. Remember, too, that PART of the reason to request the prayers of others is to have their support, ministry, counsel and accountability - to be "there" for us. Obviously, a dead saint can't do that.
But the issue here is not whether the practice has some discernable benefit, it is whether those in heaven have the ability to "hear" us - to discern the sound waves the 7 billion here still on Earth create via their sense of hearing. I find this very unlikely. IMO, there are VERY few in heaven that have bodies at all - and ergo ears (capable of this or not). And no one here has been able to address what change happens to the human sense of hearing at the moment of death that enables them to hear the prayers (even silent ones) of those still alive. I find the whole concept a bit silly.
I too believe it a more sound practice to seek the prayers and support of those whom I know CAN hear me, CAN pray, and CAN minister to me.
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I like to make sure my prayers aren't in vain. I know for a fact God hears me. I never said anything was wrong with praying to the dead for intersession. I just don't see a point to doing it.
benefit, it is whether those in heaven have the ability to "hear" us - to discern the sound waves the 7 billion here still on Earth create via their sense of hearing. I find this very unlikely.
Saints are with God. Saints are both living and dead alike.
I mean who knows if they are actually pray for us and interced for us?
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Good question....
We (persons alive on the earth) are told to pray to God. We're never told to pray to the dead (or undead) in purgatory or heaven.
We (persons alive on the earth) are told to pray for each other.
Are we told that IF the undead in purgatory or heaven know about our petitions (as as you said, "who know?") that ergo our petition is more likely to be answered? No. Can they minister to us, assure us, comfort us, help us, hold us accountable? No.
So, WHY spend this time and effort on a "who knows" and a bunch of "no's?" Why not rather do as God instructed us: Pray TO him, and seek the prayers, counsel, wisdom, admonition, accountability and help of those around us?
Have to agree with you there CJ..
Good question....
We (persons alive on the earth) are told to pray to God. We're never told to pray to the dead (or undead) in purgatory or heaven.
We (persons alive on the earth) are told to pray for each other.
Are we told that IF the undead in purgatory or heaven know about our petitions (as as you said, "who know?") that ergo our petition is more likely to be answered? No. Can they minister to us, assure us, comfort us, help us, hold us accountable? No.
So, WHY spend this time and effort on a "who knows" and a bunch of "no's?" Why not rather do as God instructed us: Pray TO him, and seek the prayers, counsel, wisdom, admonition, accountability and help of those around us?
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Josiah said:Philothei said:I mean who knows if they are actually pray for us and interced for us?
Good question....
We (persons alive on the earth) are told to pray to God. We're never told to pray to the dead (or undead) in purgatory or heaven.
We (persons alive on the earth) are told to pray for each other.
Are we told that IF the undead in purgatory or heaven know about our petitions (as as you said, "who know?") that ergo our petition is more likely to be answered? No. Can they minister to us, assure us, comfort us, help us, hold us accountable? No.
So, WHY spend this time and effort on a "who knows" and a bunch of "no's?" Why not rather do as God instructed us: Pray TO him, and seek the prayers, counsel, wisdom, admonition, accountability and help of those around us?
.
I respect your opinion but do not agree with it. We are praying for each other we are saints thus the saints who live with Christ and alive in Christ hear our prayers. If the saints are 'alive' in Christ no need for further conformation on the matter.
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Cor. 5
See Revelation as well.
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