Should Christians pray to saints?
Praying to saints is a practice that has developed in certain Christian traditions, particularly Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, yet it raises important questions about how Christians should approach God. While the Bible doesn't explicitly forbid praying to saints, it consistently directs believers to pray directly to God. The core conviction for many Christians is that Jesus Christ is our sole mediator, making direct access to God possible for all who believe.
While some Christian traditions encourage praying to saints, the Bible consistently teaches believers to pray directly to God through Jesus Christ, our only mediator.
The Biblical Foundation of Prayer
The Bible broadly defines prayer as communion with God. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, God's people are encouraged to bring their requests, praises, confessions, and thanksgivings directly to Him. The Psalms are a rich example of this direct communication, with authors pouring out their hearts to God (e.g., Psalm 51, Psalm 62). Jesus himself taught his disciples to pray directly to "Our Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:9) and assured them that whatever they ask in his name, he will do (John 14:13). This emphasis on direct access to God through Christ is a cornerstone of Christian teaching.
Jesus, Our Sole Mediator
A central theme in the New Testament is the unique mediatorial role of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus." This verse is foundational for understanding the Christian perspective on access to God. It posits that Jesus, in his humanity and divinity, bridges the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. Because of his atoning sacrifice and resurrection, believers can approach God with confidence (Hebrews 4:14-16). The book of Hebrews emphasizes Jesus as our great high priest who intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25), meaning he continuously pleads our case before God. This understanding leads many Christians to conclude that no other mediator is necessary or appropriate.
Differing Christian Views
Protestant Perspective: Most Protestant traditions hold that praying to saints is not supported by Scripture and can potentially diminish the unique mediatorial role of Christ. They emphasize that since all believers have direct access to God through Jesus, there is no need for intermediate intercessors. This view often points to passages like Philippians 4:6-7, which encourages believers to present their requests directly to God with thanksgiving.
Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Perspectives: Catholic and Orthodox traditions distinguish between praying to saints in the sense of adoration, which is reserved for God alone, and asking saints to intercede for us with God, much as one might ask a living friend to pray for them. They believe that saints, being in heaven with God, can hear our prayers and present them to God. This practice is rooted in the belief in the "communion of saints," where the church on earth and the church in heaven are united. They see saints as powerful prayer warriors who can assist believers on earth. While acknowledging Christ as the ultimate mediator, they view saints as secondary intercessors who participate in Christ's work, drawing parallels to how living believers pray for one another (James 5:16).
What the Bible Does and Doesn't Say
The Bible does not contain any explicit commands or examples of believers praying to deceased saints for intercession. Instead, all biblical examples of prayer are directed to God Himself, sometimes through Jesus Christ. While the Bible affirms that deceased believers are "with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8) and are part of the "great cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1), it does not describe them as active recipients of prayers from those on earth. The concept of saints' ability to hear our prayers and intercede in this specific way is a theological development not explicitly detailed in Scripture. Therefore, for many, the safest and most biblically grounded approach is to pray directly to God through Jesus Christ.
Bible verses about praying to saints
"For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus,"
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
"Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need."
"Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
"In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus."
"Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working."
"we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord."
"Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"
Frequently asked
What is the difference between worshipping saints and asking for their intercession?
Worshipping saints, in the sense of giving them adoration due only to God, is considered idolatry by all Christian traditions. Asking for their intercession, primarily in Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, is seen as asking them to pray *with* us or *for* us to God, much like we might ask a living friend. The distinction is crucial, as intercession is not worship but a request for prayer, whereas worship is reserved for God alone as the creator and sustainer of all things.
Can deceased loved ones hear our prayers?
The Bible does not explicitly state whether deceased loved ones can hear our prayers. While some traditions believe saints in heaven can perceive our requests, the Scriptures do not provide clear examples or instructions for communicating with the deceased. The focus of prayer in the Bible is always directed to God, who is omniscient and omnipresent, and able to hear all things.
If I ask a saint to pray for me, am I dishonoring Jesus?
This is a central point of disagreement among Christians. Many Protestants believe that asking a saint to pray for you *does* dishonor Jesus because it implies that His mediation is insufficient or that we need another intermediary. They emphasize that Jesus is our *sole* mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) and that we have direct access to God through Him. Catholics and Orthodox Christians believe that asking saints to intercede complements, rather than diminishes, Christ's mediatorial role, viewing it as a participation in the communion of saints.
Does the 'communion of saints' mean we can pray to them?
The 'communion of saints' refers to the spiritual unity of all believers, both living and deceased, joined together in Christ. While all Christians affirm this unity, its implications for prayer differ. Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox understand it to mean that saints in heaven can intercede for believers on earth. Most Protestants interpret the 'communion of saints' as affirming a spiritual bond and shared faith, but not as a basis for directing prayers to saints.
How should I pray if I want to follow biblical teaching?
To follow biblical teaching on prayer, direct your prayers to God the Father, through Jesus Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught his disciples to pray to "Our Father" (Matthew 6:9) and promised that whatever we ask in his name, he would do (John 14:13). The Holy Spirit also helps us in prayer (Romans 8:26-27). This direct approach emphasizes God's accessibility and Christ's unique role as mediator.
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