Few practices have caused as much controversy between Catholics and Protestants as the Catholic practice of praying to saints. Much of the controversy is due to lack of understanding, on both sides of the argument. Prayers to saints are meant to be a humble request to the saint, asking them to pray on the person's behalf. This practice has both Biblical and Church support, assuming one doesn't cross the line from prayer to worship.
Worship vs. Prayer
Worship is humbling oneself before God, admitting His majesty, offering your heart, body, soul, and mind. Prayer can be divided into multiple categories: worship, thanksgiving, requests, and others.
When a Catholic prays to a saint, they are not worshiping the saint, but rather, asking the saint to pray for them. It is not meant to be any different than one person asking another person to pray for them. The saint and the person are praying together to Jesus. Another close example would be someone whispering to their dead parent, "Mom (or Dad), please watch out for the kids and pray for us." They are not worshiping their parent, they are simply asking them to pray on their behalf.
Biblical Support for Prayer to the Saints
Multiple verses and concepts present in the Bible have been used to justify prayer to the saints. The behavior of the prophets and other important people in the bible are also used, the argument being that we should follow their example. The major Biblical points of support are:
- Tobit 12:12– Angel Raphael says, "I can now tell you that when you, Tobit, and Sara prayed, it was I who presented and read the record of your prayer before the Glory of the Lord..."
- Ephesians 6:18 – With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with a perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones.
- Mark 12:25-27 – "When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angles in heaven. As for the dead being raised, have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God told him, "I am the God of Abraham, [the] God of Isaac, and [the] God of Jacob?' he is not God of the dead but of the living. You are greatly misled."
- Multiple sources – it is clearly stated multiple times that we are all members of the one body of Christ. In the "Letters to the Churches," there are requests for all to pray for one another. This includes those saints who are living with Christ in Heaven.
- Intercession examples – in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, there are examples of angels and dead prophets coming to intercede for humans on God's behalf. Intercession, especially through prayer, is a common theme throughout the Bible.
Church Support for Prayer to the Saints
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that prayer directed at the saints in Heaven is an acceptable practice. The basis for this is the Biblical support states above. The exact justification given in the Catechism: "Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole church more firmly in holiness...[T]hey do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus....So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped."
Along with the instruction that such activity is acceptable are two quotes that seem to "sum up" the Church's position. They provide an intensely personal view of how the Church and its members view prayer to the saints:
"Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and I shall help you then more effectively than during my life." [St. Dominic]
"I want to spend my heaven in doing good on earth." [St. Therese of Lisieux]
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd edition, 1994: Section 956, page 249)
Faith, an Intensely Personal Matter
Prayer to the saints is not blasphemous, but if one falls into worshiping a saint (or Mary), they are committing a very serious blasphemous act. All Christians can and should pray for other Christians. The saints are counted among the member's of Christ's mystical body, meaning they, also, can pray for other Christians. One of the most fundamental ideas of faith is that the person with faith should allow God and their feelings to guide their actions. If that person doesn't feel comfortable praying to Mary or the saints, they shouldn't feel pressured to. However, if they do pray to them, they shouldn't allow others to tell them that they aren't allowed. Faith is an intensely personal matter- if in doubt, ask God.
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