Is it pointless to pray for the soul of the person who has murdered then expired by suicide or by cop?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RosslynV
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
R

RosslynV

Guest
I’m referring to all these headline grabbing mass killers who have killed so many innocent kids, students or random citizens. For the most part, these killers end up dead after their rampage. I highly doubt such killers make it to Heaven. Should we not offer up prayers for them?
 
RosslynV said:
I’m referring to all these headline grabbing mass killers who have killed so many innocent kids, students or random citizens. For the most part, these killers end up dead after their rampage. I highly doubt such killers make it to Heaven. Should we not offer up prayers for them?
Click to expand...
I don’t think it’s “pointless” to pray for anyone.
 
Don’t just pray, but plead with God that their soul be saved.

LOVE! ❤️
 
Robert_Sock said:
Don’t just pray, but plead with God that their soul be saved.

LOVE! ❤️
Click to expand...
Once they are dead they are either in Hell or saved (Purgatory or Heaven).
If they are in Hell then prayers for them are useless because no pleading with God will ever release them from Hell.
 
thistle said:
Once they are dead they are either in Hell or saved (Purgatory or Heaven).
If they are in Hell then prayers for them are useless because no pleading with God will ever release them from Hell.
Click to expand...
Yes, you’re correct, but I will always plead for such souls anyway. It is believed within Chabad that all souls will eventually be saved. I know this is not the Catholic teaching, but I have deep respect for the Tanya, and I try to keep its teachings in mind.

LOVE! ❤️
 
I would say that we should never find prayer pointless. In cases like this it is hard to imagine that the offender has any amount of remorse or a chance at being united with God. But we don’t really know their soul or heart, only God does.

We have all heard of cases where someone goes on a killing spree and an autopsy latter shows a brain tumor or some disease of the brain that may have been a contributing factor. We really don’t know how all this works and only God can judge this. So we should pray, even if we honestly have to tell God “we don’t get it.” And people should pray for their families who are suffering because of this as well.

Too often we forget their families may be as shocked and dismayed at what happened as the rest of us. Don’t forget them.
 
We can pray to the eternal (timeless) God to intercede at the moment of death. Even if it is in the past for us, it is now for God.

Of course the final outcome depends on the response of the sinner.
 
Cricket2 said:
I would say that we should never find prayer pointless. In cases like this it is hard to imagine that the offender has any amount of remorse or a chance at being united with God. But we don’t really know their soul or heart, only God does.

We have all heard of cases where someone goes on a killing spree and an autopsy latter shows a brain tumor or some disease of the brain that may have been a contributing factor. We really don’t know how all this works and only God can judge this. So we should pray, even if we honestly have to tell God “we don’t get it.” And people should pray for their families who are suffering because of this as well.

Too often we forget their families may be as shocked and dismayed at what happened as the rest of us. Don’t forget them.
Click to expand...
This is exactly the point I wanted to make. Only God knows the degree of culpability. So it is wise to pray – no matter how depraved the crimes.
 
Never judge anyone - Jesus is all merciful and all forgiving.
He gave His life for sinners.
We cannot know what is in the mind of a murderer or what mental anguish he has suffered.
Only God knows what is in our hearts and what prompts our actions.
He is Love. Trust in Him. Our prayers are never pointless.
 
RosslynV said:
I’m referring to all these headline grabbing mass killers who have killed so many innocent kids, students or random citizens. For the most part, these killers end up dead after their rampage. I highly doubt such killers make it to Heaven. Should we not offer up prayers for them?
Click to expand...
Prayer is never pointless. If they are in hell, then your prayer is an opportunity for you to commune with God and your praying for those in purgation will be applied to those who need it.
 
thistle said:
Once they are dead they are either in Hell or saved (Purgatory or Heaven).
If they are in Hell then prayers for them are useless because no pleading with God will ever release them from Hell.
Click to expand...
But, we as humans, do not have the knowledge of God’s decision, should never, ever think anything is useless: Luke 1:37 - “For with God, nothing will be impossible.”
 
Robert_Sock said:
Yes, you’re correct, but I will always plead for such souls anyway.** It is believed within Chabad that all souls will eventually be saved. I know this is not the Catholic teaching**, but I have deep respect for the Tanya, and I try to keep its teachings in mind.

LOVE! ❤️
Click to expand...
You are right that the Church does not teach this because it is the heresy of Universalism.
Not so wise to respect anything that puts forth heresy.

All souls will not be saved.
 
Jon_S said:
Prayer is never pointless. If they are in hell, then your prayer is an opportunity for you to commune with God and your praying for those in purgation will be applied to those who need it.
Click to expand...
Ok, but once we physically die, it’s my understanding that we are judged. Is there any reference to why we should even pray for the dead? I have a hard time doing it.

SJ
 
If we are to love our neighbor as ourself, do we immediately stop loving them if and when they go to Hell? At what point do they stop being our ‘neighbor?’

With much prayer, perhaps God will relent on eternal punishment.

LOVE! ❤️
 
SJacob7 said:
Ok, but once we physically die, it’s my understanding that we are judged. Is there any reference to why we should even pray for the dead? I have a hard time doing it.

SJ
Click to expand...
We pray for our neighbor because this could reduce the amount of time they spend in Purgatory. This is just the first reason that comes to mind as I’m sure there are others.
 
Pax Christi!

Prayer is never, ever, ever wasted. Ever!

Pray without ceasing!

God bless.
 
Robert_Sock said:
Yes, you’re correct, but I will always plead for such souls anyway. It is believed within Chabad that all souls will eventually be saved. I know this is not the Catholic teaching, but I have deep respect for the Tanya, and I try to keep its teachings in mind.

LOVE! ❤️
Click to expand...
Can I ask…why do you choose to believe non-Catholic teachings, especially ones that conflict directly with the Church, and therefore, God? Are they more ‘convenient’?

I do pray often for perpetrators of crimes, especially ones that are horrendous. There aren’t as many people praying for their souls, whether they are on earth or in purgatory.
 
ccmcmg said:
Can I ask…why do you choose to believe non-Catholic teachings, especially ones that conflict directly with the Church, and therefore, God? Are they more ‘convenient’?
Click to expand...
Robert, are you Chabad or Chabad influenced?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top