Topic 9 of 11
Praying to the saints
The Catechism teaches that the saints in heaven intercede for us and that we can and should ask them to. Scripture teaches us to pray to the Father, through the Son, and to pray for one another here and now.
What the Catechism teaches
The Catechism distinguishes asking for the saints' prayers from worship, which belongs to God alone.
We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2683 · official text
They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 956 · official text
What Scripture says
Jesus taught His disciples to pray to the Father. Scripture tells us to pray for one another while we live, and gives us direct access to God through Christ. It contains no example or instruction of believers praying to people who have died, and it warns against seeking the dead.
9Pray like this: “‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
Matthew 6:9 (WEB) · context
16Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.
James 5:16 (WEB) · context
16Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 (WEB) · context
19When they tell you, “Consult with those who have familiar spirits and with the wizards, who chirp and who mutter,” shouldn’t a people consult with their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?
Isaiah 8:19 (WEB) · context
8Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things. 9He said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
Revelation 22:8-9 (WEB) · context
How Catholics answer
Catholics answer that the saints are alive in Christ, that God is the God of the living, and that Revelation 5:8 shows the prayers of the saints offered before God.
8Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Revelation 5:8 (WEB) · context
What Scripture answers
In Revelation 5 the prayers offered are the prayers of God's people, and nothing there asks believers to pray to those in heaven. We can bring every request straight to our Father, because Jesus Himself always lives to intercede for us.
25Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:25 (WEB) · context
The good news
Saved by grace, through faith, in Christ
Salvation is God's free gift to everyone who trusts Jesus Christ alone.