Do the saints and Mary pray for those who don't invoke their intercession?

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My understanding of Catholicism is that Mary and the saints are in heaven praying for those who invoke their intercession. In other words, they are considered like heavenly prayer partners to those who avail themselves of them, if I understand correctly.

Note: I started thinking of this when I was contemplating ‘All Saints Day’ the other day after listening on Catholic radio that it was "All Saints Day’.

Question:
Do Mary and the saints also pray for those who don’t invoke them or seek their intercession or are they just for those who seek them out and believe in their ability to intercede for them? For example, most Protestants I know pray to God in Jesus’ name and do not ask for the intercession of the saints.

Just curious. Thanks.
 
Absolutely they do. 😃 And am I glad of it! But first the theology of the thing. All who are baptized into Christ are members of the body of Christ–even non-Catholic Christians, so naturally, the Church Triumphant in heaven prays for us all. They indeed pray for all persons because Christ’s death and resurrection redeemed the whole world, not merely those who believe in him or call upon him.

They pray for our salvation, Catholic, non-Catholic, and non-Christian alike. We’ve got a wonderful resource in Mary, Joseph and all the Saints from Adam and Eve, the Patriarchs, the Prophets and in all the NT Saints, and beyond. All have been redeemed in Christ, all are just as important to Jesus, and thus to the Saints. They are constantly praying for and aiding us in our journey to God no matter where we might be on that journey. It is more beneficial to call upon their prayers and aid, of course.

We are saved by cooperating with God’s free gift of grace. I am sure many who will be saved will be saved because of their prayers and heavenly aid, as well as our prayers and works of mercy, both spiritual and corporal since the Holy Spirit prompts such prayers and works, in Christ, as the Father wills.
 
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men. (1 Tim 2:1)

There is every reason to believe that the Blessed Virgin Mary and the other saints in heaven fulfill this apostolic exhortation to pray for all men perfectly and without ceasing, just as Sacred Scripture tells us that the deceased prophet Jeremiah “loves the brethren and prays much for the people.” (2 Maccabees 15:14)
 
Thanks, Della and Todd. Good to know.

I was taught growing up that Jesus is a gentleman and is knocking at the door of our hearts, waiting for us to open the door and invite Him in. As a gentleman, He won’t force Himself on us if we don’t want anything to do with Him.

Therefore, I was wondering if the saints and Mary were the same way or not – that we had to invite them in for them to intercede for us.

Thanks again.
 
Yes, they pray for everyone.

***The below is my own personal understanding, I am NOT quoting verified theology:
However, the Saints are not all knowing (by themselves). They only know what we tell them or what God tells them.

So if you don’t ask them for intercession, they might not pray to God for your very specific intention. Instead, they will pray for your general intentions.

For example: your family members might pray for your general intentions all the time, but if you ask them to pray for something specific, they will. Otherwise, they might not know unless you tell them. The Saints in Heaven are the same.

I pray this is helpful.
 
Tommy999 said:
Therefore, I was wondering if the saints and Mary were the same way or not – that we had to invite them to intercede for us or not.

Thanks again.
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The Saints in Heaven pray for us the same why are family and friends pray for us here on Earth. If we ask them to intercede for us with a specific request, they will do that. Otherwise, they pray for our general intentions.
 
phil19034 said:
Yes, they pray for everyone.

***The below is my own personal understanding, I am NOT quoting verified theology:
However, the Saints are not all knowing (by themselves). They only know what we tell them or what God tells them.

So if you don’t ask them for intercession, they might not pray to God for your very specific intention. Instead, they will pray for your general intentions.

For example: your family members might pray for your general intentions all the time, but if you ask them to pray for something specific, they will. Otherwise, they might not know unless you tell them. The Saints in Heaven are the same.

I pray this is helpful.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Phil. Very helpful indeed. It makes sense to me from a logic standpoint, for sure.
 
Yes, I believe our Blessed Mother and the Saints pray for the whole world
 
“Hail Mary, Full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed are thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus, Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death”.
I think, at least in that instance, yes. Because SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE is praying that very prayer. And, since we’re all sinners.
 
Tommy999 said:
My understanding of Catholicism is that Mary and the saints are in heaven praying for those who invoke their intercession. In other words, they are considered like heavenly prayer partners to those who avail themselves of them, if I understand correctly.

Note: I started thinking of this when I was contemplating ‘All Saints Day’ the other day after listening on Catholic radio that it was "All Saints Day’.

Question:
Do Mary and the saints also pray for those who don’t invoke them or seek their intercession or are they just for those who seek them out and believe in their ability to intercede for them? For example, most Protestants I know pray to God in Jesus’ name and do not ask for the intercession of the saints.

Just curious. Thanks.
Click to expand...
catholicmom.com/2010/07/26/from-near-death-to-new-life-by-christine-watkins/
 
Tommy999 said:
Very nice story about Christine Watkins and how she was touched by Jesus through the communion of saints, especially Mary. Thanks for sharing that, Techno2000;. It sounds like in her case that someone else was praying for her and she did not invoke the intercession of Mary herself, if I understood correctly.

Thanks again to everyone who responded to this thread.
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Fatima Prayer:

O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%A1tima_Prayers

catholiccompany.com/getfed/five-prayers-taught-at-fatima-by-mary-the-angels/
 
Tommy999 said:
Do Mary and the saints also pray for those who don’t invoke them or seek their intercession or are they just for those who seek them out and believe in their ability to intercede for them?
Click to expand...
They pray for all of us.
 
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