I thought catholics ask saints to pray for them?

[ConstantineTG]

Why do you pray to different Saints for certain things?
Like pray to St. so n so he’s the St. for that.
My mom always told me to pray to this St. if you need help with this or pray to that St. if you need help with that.
Why are there different St. for different things?

Truthfully the saints can pray for anything. But having saints as patrons of certain things emphasizes the life they lived on earth so in a way it also teaches us about the saint. For example St. Luke would be a patron saint for doctors because he was a doctor.

 

[pablope]

So it is clear that in Rev that the 4 living creatures, 24 elders, and angels were in heaven and had the prayers of saints in a bowl. The word saints in the Bible implies believer (called out one), not one who has died and been declared a saint or such. There is no direct conclusion that these prayers were offered by people who had already died or not. That would be jumping to a conclusion. Paul addressed his Epistles to the saints in such and such place many times.

Romans 15:25
At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints.

1 Corinthians 1:2
To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours

Matthew had to specify saints who had fallen asleep to so we would know they were believers who died. The word saints alone does cannot imply people who have passed.

Matthew 27:52
The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,

Rev 5

7And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Rev 8
3And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, 4and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. 5Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

.

I forgot a biblical verse where it is stated that those in heaven, the saints, are also like angels. So like the angel in Rev 8, our prayers of intercession are offered by heavenly saints in the same way. In addition, those in heaven have been cleansed of sin, since no one can enter heaven unless one is clean. So we know those saints are in heaven, and praying and praising the Lord.

Could you supply your biblical references or verse where you state in the context of the verse where the word “saint” refers to those still on earth?

The saints mentioned in Rev could mean both, but I have to check commentaries. But we know there are saints already in Heaven, so when we ask for their intercession, we know they are closer to God than we here on earth. But do not forget the fact that when Catholics ask for their intercession, we know that it is as per God’s will and grace to grant it.

 

[Reuben_J]

John 14:6 at least to my current understanding is fairly irrelevant to the prospect of intercessory prayers directed to the saints. (saint = anyone in heaven not just those acclaimed as such on Earth)

To my understanding this passage (in the context of your question) means that Christ being the one sacrifice atoned for our sins, and thus through his sacrifice humanity before unable, can now achieve the beatific vision through the reparation of humanities sin undertaken by Christ. Thus ultimately only through Christ can anyone be saved because without Christ and his sacrifice and ressurection achieving the beatific vision is ordinarily impossible due to the perseverance of original sin.

Of course my explanation is not the best and im not quoting out of official church teaching, but perhaps if you look up the CCC (catechism of the catholic church), or the catholic encyclopedia maybe if your interested in the churches official teaching, or maybe go onto the apologetics thread or ask an apologist here on catholic answers for a more informed view on this particular passage.

There is nothing wrong with this explanation and is done quite nicely too.

Put simply - our salvation can only be found in Jesus and lead us to the Heavenly Father.

Our friend is trying to say that we should not have any intercessors since their purpose is already found in Jesus. Well, we disagree because having intercessors is in no way negating Jn 14:6. Yes, we are saved by believing in Jesus, the truth of his teaching and what he is, and that he gives life and abundantly too and how great that is but we still are exhorted to pray too.

Interceding means praying; we pray for each other asking Jesus who is the Second Person of the Trinity to deliver us; we can pray through Jesus the Son of God to the Father and we can pray in the name of Jesus. None of these however negates Jn 14:16.

Praying to the saints is calling for them to pray together with us. It is not worshiping them or that they take the place of Jesus who is the truth, the way and the life. No, it is not.

 

[Jehoshua]

Thankyou for the commendation

 

[rbarcia]

Because saints are in heaven and thus are closer to God than us.

So you are here talking about people in heaven

Lets look at the wedding of cana for example. Jesus was not going to change the water into wine, but mary interceeded for the good of the host of the wedding and jesus decided based on her intercession and out of love of her to enact his first miracle.

And here you use an example of an event on earth to illustrate how something in heaven works. How do you know Jesus did not want to do this, because He answered Mary like this:

John 2:4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

So Jesus had no plan to Manifest his glory to the disciples. It was Mary’s idea.

John 2:11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

Thus likewise we ask the saints to pray for and with us considering they are in the same position of closeness with God as Mary was with Jesus at cana. also its good to have people pray for you, its the same as asking friends to pray for you and the saints are very good friends.

So the conclusion is because Jesus and Mary were in the same room, in a wedding, therefore saints in heaven intercede for catholics here because they are in the same heaven.

 

[rbarcia]

Hey, rbarcia. I can understand your confusion. Secular news may not be the best way for you to understand Catholic beliefs, because most of the time the articles aren’t written by people well versed in the religion, and that, sadly, can create misunderstandings.

I agree with this, CNN is not a source of any official doctrine. But it sure reaches a lot of common folks and if this is not a correct articulation of this, wouldn’t Rome do something to correct it?

Anyway, what you’ve heard on this forum about Catholics asking saints to pray for them is correct. When we pray to a saint we are asking them to intercede on our behalf with God, who we hope and pray will grant our request. In that sense, we are not worshiping the saint in any sense, but doing something similar to what you would do if you knew someone who was sick and asked your friends and family members to pray for the sick person’s recovery. The major difference is that the saint is in Heaven, and so some sort of prayer is required to reach them with the request.

I did not bring up worship. So is Jesus not able to hear the believers on earth? Do the saints in heaven have a power Jesus does not?

Or does Jesus not care to look down on the believers on earth and you have to be of a certain elite status?

I know the Israelites could not approach God without Moses. But I thought Jesus allows us to approach the thrown boldly?

Hebrews 4
14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

When God honors our request, we, therefore, tend to give the saint credit for successfully interceding for us, while praising God as the ultimate source of the miracle. We don’t worship anyone except God and all the praise and glory in the end are due to Him, but we do like to acknowledge those in Heaven who intercede on our behalf. In my mind, this acknowledgment doesn’t disrespect God, but actually is just another way of thanking Him for those who intercede for us.

Hope that helps a bit!

So, we give credit for successfully “relaying the message”. Or is it more about being able to negotiate with Jesus and sway His thoughts.

Isaiah 42:8
8 I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other,

Just seems like Jesus required faith when He healed many. Those in heaven “see” Jesus so it is not faith. SO Jesus grants the wishes of those who have faith enough to ask someone who can see Him, but not faith enough to approach Him?

This just confuses me more.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[regression]

I agree with this, CNN is not a source of any official doctrine. But it sure reaches a lot of common folks and if this is not a correct articulation of this, wouldn’t Rome do something to correct it?

I’m not sure why the capital city of Italy would want to “correct” CNN. I guess you mean the Vatican?

I did not bring up worship. So is Jesus not able to hear the believers on earth? Do the saints in heaven have a power Jesus does not?

Or does Jesus not care to look down on the believers on earth and you have to be of a certain elite status?

I know the Israelites could not approach God without Moses. But I thought Jesus allows us to approach the thrown boldly?

Hebrews 4
14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

It isn’t an either / or, it is a both / and. I pray to Jesus, I ask my friends and family to pray for me, I ask people on this site to pray for me and I ask those in heaven to pray for me. I am certainly not going to turn down prayers

So, we give credit for successfully “relaying the message”. Or is it more about being able to negotiate with Jesus and sway His thoughts.

Isaiah 42:8
8 I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other,

Just seems like Jesus required faith when He healed many. Those in heaven “see” Jesus so it is not faith. SO Jesus grants the wishes of those who have faith enough to ask someone who can see Him, but not faith enough to approach Him?

This just confuses me more.

Thanks for the reply.

Again, it is not an either / or, it is a both / and. Just like I would thank a family member for praying for me, I thank those in heave for praying for me.

 

[rinnie]

See, this is what I don’t get. On this forum I keep hearing catholics say you ask saints to pray for you.

CNN had this interesting article.

religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/05/john-paul-ii-could-move-toward-sainthood-this-year-report-says/?hpt=T2

Quote from the article

Wouldn’t the credit be given to God?

Acts 3:16
And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

Sure all credit is given to God. But here is something that may help you. Read the book of Job and especially the last chapter. Read how God told Jobs friends to have Job pray for them, because he would listen to Jobs prayers. Go back and read Job and then come back and give me your take on it.

Next do Catholic ask Saints to pray for them. HECK YEAH! We ask anyone to pray for us, Saints, SInners, Anyone in the world that would offer up a prayer for me is greatly appreciated I don’t care who they are!!

 

[estesbob]

I did not bring up worship. So is Jesus not
This just confuses me more.

Thanks for the reply.

Well now I’m confused given it is very common for Protestantsts to ask people to pray for them or pray for a friend or acquaintance of theirs. So why would it be okay for me to ask my neighbor,flawed human being he is, to pray for me but not appropriate for me to ask someone who is in heaven to pray for me?

 

[rinnie]

See, this is what I don’t get. On this forum I keep hearing catholics say you ask saints to pray for you.

CNN had this interesting article.

religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/05/john-paul-ii-could-move-toward-sainthood-this-year-report-says/?hpt=T2

Quote from the article

Wouldn’t the credit be given to God?

Acts 3:16
And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

Now I have a question for you! Do you believe that Peter cured people as the bible says. Or do you think that the bible is not the true word of God.

Now here is the secret of what John Paul ll has done.

Jesus called his twelve disciples together and GAVE them AUTHORITY to drive out evil spirits and HEAL every sickness and disease.

Jesus said to them go out and preach the kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life. (just a small comment here, Do you know that you can be alive and still dead. Yes you can, if you are alive in body but dead in the soul you are just taking up space.) Remember this is more to this world then just a physical death. A physical death is nothing, but a death to the soul is deadly.

No one could possibly know the miracles that Popes, Priests, Bishops have done for people. But God knows.

Everything that is done by a Priest who works in the name of God is Through him, with him, and in him. All comes from the grace given to them from God.

You do not have to be a Priest to be given this gift either. God works thru us all by our prayers and our good works. It is our life and how we live it that we are given extra grace from God.

And the main way to achieve this is from Prayer. Do you have any idea how many hours a day the Pope spent in Prayer before God in his life? He had such a Love for God that he gave up his life for God. To help others to bring them to God. And I for one can say this was one wonderful Pure Gift given to US FROM GOD. Would you not agree?

 

[Jehoshua]

So you are here talking about people in heaven

And here you use an example of an event on earth to illustrate how something in heaven works. How do you know Jesus did not want to do this, because He answered Mary like this:

John 2:4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

So Jesus had no plan to Manifest his glory to the disciples. It was Mary’s idea.

John 2:11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

So the conclusion is because Jesus and Mary were in the same room, in a wedding, therefore saints in heaven intercede for catholics here because they are in the same heaven.

Your conclusion is off, i simply used an example of where intercession to God led to God enacting a change, a miracle. Unless you disagree that Jesus is God the Son the second person in the trinity i don;t see your point as to it being on earth instead of in heaven.

Likewise the same room argument is flawed, the reasoning behind saints in heaven is because they are free of sin, and are more alive than we are. We ask them to interceed for us because they are unencumbered by sin and are in the beatific vision which entails a communion, a joining with God in heaven. Also as has been said countless times before it is the same as asking a friend to pray for you, do you have a problem with friends praying on your behalf?

As to your assertion that my point makes the revelation of christ as saviour Mary’s doing, no thats not how it works at all, the time perhaps and the circumstances perhaps came about because Mary interceeded to Him. Of course Christ was going to reveal himself to his disciples and to us, but in his own words his time had not yet come, Christ was not going to reveal himself at that time and place but did through Mary’s intercession.

 

[rbarcia]

I forgot a biblical verse where it is stated that those in heaven, the saints, are also like angels. So like the angel in Rev 8, our prayers of intercession are offered by heavenly saints in the same way. In addition, those in heaven have been cleansed of sin, since no one can enter heaven unless one is clean. So we know those saints are in heaven, and praying and praising the Lord.

The verse you are talking about is in reference to the Sadducees not believing in the Resurrection and trying to trap Jesus by asking Him about a woman who married 7 times and then died. They asked who will be their husband? And the reference is in the time of the resurrection.

Mark 12

25For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

All we can derive here is at the time of the resurrection, we do not marry since angels do not marry.

As for entering heaven, that can happens because of what Jesus did on the cross:

Hebrews 10
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

26For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

Could you supply your biblical references or verse where you state in the context of the verse where the word “saint” refers to those still on earth?

there are so many versus where the word saints is used about people on earth, better for you to do a search on Bible Gateway here is one about saints in Jerusalem.

Acts 9:13
But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.

Jesus referred to saints who had fallen asleep resurrecting. If the word saints meant people who dies, no need to qualify with fallen asleep.

Matthew 27:52
The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,

All you can derive from the word saint is that they are believers. Nothing to do about dead or alive.

The saints mentioned in Rev could mean both, but I have to check commentaries. But we know there are saints already in Heaven, so when we ask for their intercession, we know they are closer to God than we here on earth. But do not forget the fact that when Catholics ask for their intercession, we know that it is as per God’s will and grace to grant it.

We know that people who believed in Christ go to heaven sure, and in a general sense “saints” are on earth and in heaven. There bodies are asleep waiting for the resurrection and a new glorified body.

But our spirits and theirs are in the same condition based on the blood of Christ and faith in his death and resurrection.

 

[rinnie]

I agree with this, CNN is not a source of any official doctrine. But it sure reaches a lot of common folks and if this is not a correct articulation of this, wouldn’t Rome do something to correct it?

I did not bring up worship. So is Jesus not able to hear the believers on earth? Do the saints in heaven have a power Jesus does not?

Or does Jesus not care to look down on the believers on earth and you have to be of a certain elite status?

I know the Israelites could not approach God without Moses. But I thought Jesus allows us to approach the thrown boldly?

Hebrews 4
14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

So, we give credit for successfully “relaying the message”. Or is it more about being able to negotiate with Jesus and sway His thoughts.

Isaiah 42:8
8 I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other,

Just seems like Jesus required faith when He healed many. Those in heaven “see” Jesus so it is not faith. SO Jesus grants the wishes of those who have faith enough to ask someone who can see Him, but not faith enough to approach Him?

This just confuses me more.

Thanks for the reply.

Well to begin faith is a gift and the first step to salvation. Faith is not what is needed in heaven it is what is needed to get to heaven.

But you can be a Saint here not just in heaven. And you are correct if you do not have faith in Jesus you cannot even pray in his name. I mean think about it, why if you do not believe in him?

But if you do not have faith you can get it. You start with asking for Grace to be given to you. It is with Grace from God that all is possible.

Like with the Pope it is his faith, his love and his heart that he was given Grace. The more you pray for grace the closer you become to God. And the closer you become to God the more gifts that are given to you. But they will never give you wealth, not in money. It will be great wealth in you mind, and soul.

Now when we ask our Saints in heaven to pray for us, we know that they will ask God to help us and give us grace. And we know they will be answered. Because God answers the prayers of the righteous. The word of God tells us that.

Just like lets say our kids are on the wrong road. We continue to take time to ask God and the Saints to take time for us to pray for them to help them. When you pray and ask for Gods grace for someone it will be given. The angels and Saints are kind of like security guards. They can continue to surround our children and keep the devil away. Remember he is afraid of God and anyone who is close to God.

And it is by this protection that our kids can (lets say at least think straight at times, and have the courage to do the right thing, not that they will but the option is there. But sooner or later they will come back to God. That is what we call faith. Faith in prayer, in God and his Angels and Saints. My Favorite of course is the dear Blessed Mother. SHe LOVES our kids so much. SHe can bring them back to God in a way that only a Mother can. And she has pretty good connections with GOD don’t ya think

 

[benidict]

Why not pray to God instead of going through a Saint?

hi Rev. is it ok if i use a question to answer your question? we will try it. Why not pray to God, instead of going thru a fellow believer? why then, should i ask any one to pray for me? are we not to intercede for one another. combine this, with the great cloud of witnesses in hebrews, and passages in revelation that sure seem to infer, that the saints in heaven are very interested in what is happening on the earth, and i see no problem asking for their intercession. oh, and ive yet to ask for the intercession of st. anthony, when ive lost something, and not find it back again. lol! peace and prayers for you and yours. and a belated happy new year.

 

[Reuben_J]

I did not bring up worship. So is Jesus not able to hear the believers on earth?

No, Jesus is able to hear the believers on earth.

Do the saints in heaven have a power Jesus does not?

No, in fact the saints have no power at all.

Or does Jesus not care to look down on the believers on earth and you have to be of a certain elite status?

No, Jesus cares and he does look down on the believers on earth and he loves everybody just the same despite their human standing.

I know the Israelites could not approach God without Moses. But I thought Jesus allows us to approach the thrown boldly?

Yes, we can approach the throne of grace. The curtain that separated us and God had been broken by his death on the cross. The Lamb of God has been sacrificed for the expiation of our sin.

Hebrews 4
14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

So, we give credit for successfully “relaying the message”. Or is it more about being able to negotiate with Jesus and sway His thoughts.

None of that at all. We do not give credit nothing. I thought it is the OP who came with the idea of giving ‘credit’. In fact it does not arise at all. Jesus cannot be bribed and nothing can change him if it is not his own will and desire.

But we have the knowledge of the nature of God and especially Jesus. We know that those who came to him for help were not turned away. Why, he even told a story of the perseverance person who can melt the most stubborn of heart. So yes, we can pray to Jesus and ‘sway’ his heart but it is not because w are forcing him to do it but it is his own nature in wanting to do that.

So yes, let’s pray, pray, pray, pray and pray and sway the heart of the Lord.

Isaiah 42:8
8 I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other,

And yes, be God the glory. Hallelujah.

Just seems like Jesus required faith when He healed many. Those in heaven “see” Jesus so it is not faith. SO Jesus grants the wishes of those who have faith enough to ask someone who can see Him, but not faith enough to approach Him?

The statement is not very clear but if you are trying to say that we do not have faith in approaching Jesus, then that is not true. We have faith for the most part, even if it is very little sometimes.

This just confuses me more.

I know why you are confused. You are barking at the wrong tree, so to speak. Praying to the saints is nothing about the above. And I have answered all your questions. You see, you are making up what you think we are doing. But that’s OK. Lots of Protestants do not understand the concept of praying to the saints at all. And I am sure your pastors do not help either in this matter because it is more expedient just to run down Catholics rather than trying to teach what Catholic really believe or if they do not know and to admit it.

Praying to the saints is to ask them to pray together with us to intercede to the Lord. The act of praying together or asking people to pray for you is very Christian no matter whether you are Protestants, Orthodox or Catholics.

Catholics believe that the saints in heaven are still in one family of the people of God. Those who are alive and have died are still one family and have not been separated spiritually.

If we agree that there is nothing wrong in praying together we can go to the next stage. Scripture says that a prayer of the righteous is powerful. Scripture does not lie. If it doesn’t then we can put our faith into it that a righteous person’s prayer is powerful and therefore why not asking that righteous person to intercede for us?

Thanks for the reply.

Hope that helps.

God bless.

 

[catholictiger]

Why not pray to God instead of going through a Saint?

first becuase revelations tells us that they have prayers in heaven and they bring it to the alter, so we need them to fulfil their heavenly role and get then to pray for us.

plus don’t you get people to pray for you? We just decide to go to people who are in perfect communion with God

 

[benidict]

hey? isnt it written somewhere, that the prayer of a righteous man availeth much?

 

[pablope]

Hebrews 10
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

26For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

there are so many versus where the word saints is used about people on earth, better for you to do a search on Bible Gateway here is one about saints in Jerusalem.

Acts 9:13
But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.

Matthew 27:52
The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,

All you can derive from the word saint is that they are believers. Nothing to do about dead or alive.

.

The verse you are talking about is in reference to the Sadducees not believing in the Resurrection and trying to trap Jesus by asking Him about a woman who married 7 times and then died. They asked who will be their husband? And the reference is in the time of the resurrection.

I am familiar with the account or parable, but am not sure what you are trying to say here, or how it relates to praying for the intercession of the saints?

Mark 12

25For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
All we can derive here is at the time of the resurrection, we do not marry since angels do not marry.
As for entering heaven, that can happens because of what Jesus did on the cross:

Correct to a point. It says like angels, so those in heaven are like angels…they do the Lord’s bidding…unless you think they are doing nothing, being bored for all eternity and playing hide and seek?

Jesus referred to saints who had fallen asleep resurrecting. If the word saints meant people who dies, no need to qualify with fallen asleep.

I think this has been replied to, there are indeed saints in heaven, as Revelation states.

We know that people who believed in Christ go to heaven sure, and in a general sense “saints” are on earth and in heaven. There bodies are asleep waiting for the resurrection and a new glorified body.

But our spirits and theirs are in the same condition based on the blood of Christ and faith in his death and resurrection

There is a distinction between those in heaven and those on earth. Saints in heaven have been purified of sin, thus able to enter heaven. And they are very much alive, not dead.

I am getting the sense that you are SDA, and you are talking about soul sleep? Or a Mormon?

 

[rinnie]

Because we belong to a Church, the body of Christ. We are interconnected to one another in Communion. As we all pray to God, we also pray for one another, from this life and the next.

This is so so true. It always reminds me of the time Jesus said to Peter. Peter I have prayed for you!

 

[rev_kevin]

hi Rev. is it ok if i use a question to answer your question? we will try it. Why not pray to God, instead of going thru a fellow believer? why then, should i ask any one to pray for me? are we not to intercede for one another. combine this, with the great cloud of witnesses in hebrews, and passages in revelation that sure seem to infer, that the saints in heaven are very interested in what is happening on the earth, and i see no problem asking for their intercession. oh, and ive yet to ask for the intercession of st. anthony, when ive lost something, and not find it back again. lol! peace and prayers for you and yours. and a belated happy new year.

You’re praying too someone to pray to God.
I pray to God directly through Jesus, the only mediator between us and God, for that person. I don’t pray to anyone else. The difference is you pray to a St., I don’t