Prayer

[Stouts989]

Can you post a link to the online version of the manuscript? Why would people just make up stuff? I tried to find a copy of the first volume to verify the excerpt, but couldn’t. The website I found it on list a whole bunch of quotes from the first and second volume of the council. evangelicaloutreach.org/official.htm#trent

They even say to check it for yourself…which I tried.

If you can post an official document…we can consider this matter closed.

Again…I didn’t ask this question to talk about “mary worship”.

I want some feed back on the RCC view of prayer. If prayer is a form of worship…then how can we pray to saints and not call it worship?

Why should I pray to saints when I have my creator, the true and living God who can hear and answer my prayers without any help from His created beings.

Thank you for your time!

Side Note:

This website is called catholic answers. I ask questions and I get jumped on with assumptions and accusations about my intentions.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Is prayer a form of worship?

What do you guys think?

As I said, worship is only one form of prayer. When we pray to God we can pray in adoration (worship), in praise, thanksgiving, and petition (asking for something). We can make prayers of faith, hope, and love. We can just talk to God about our day or our problems. I guess, in a sense, all of these are worship because they are addressed to God and acknowledge that He is above all and the ultimate source of all good.

However, the term ‘prayer’ may also be used when we address the angels and those ‘clouds of witnesses’ whose souls are already in God’s presence. We can ask their assistance and their prayers for us in much the same way as we ask help and prayers of our friends who are alive. At mass, we specifically ask the angels and saints to pray with us and for us who are still on earth. The respect we have for the angels and saints is, in a sense, worship to God because we acknowledge that God is the source of their holiness. Any assistance they may give us is by the power of God.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

But it does matter. If we live in truth, then we are obligated to assist this young man to understand the nuances of Catholicism. He is a seeker of truth himself after all…and while he may be going at it the wrong way by making assumptions not grounded in truth…perhaps reponding in kindness and using the “religious language” of love and mercy toward others…we may all learn something from one another.

I think your answer gave some good background. Thanks.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

I want some feed back on the RCC view of prayer. If prayer is a form of worship…then how can we pray to saints and not call it worship?

Why should I pray to saints when I have my creator, the true and living God who can hear and answer my prayers without any help from His created beings.

Thank you for your time!

Side Note:

This website is called catholic answers. I ask questions and I get jumped on with assumptions and accusations about my intentions.

We don’t say you should or must ask created beings to pray for you. However, we know from the book of Revelation that the saints can offer our prayers to God. And we know that we do ask people on earth to pray for us and do things for us. God has created us to be social beings. If the prayer of a righteous man avails much, how much more would the prayers of those who are already in God’s presence be fruitful.

I remember when one of my brothers would have a birthday. My parents would give him presents. They would also help me to make or buy something for him that he wanted. It gave me the pleasure of giving something. Maybe God enjoys doing the same.

We have a prayer we call the Litany of the Saints. It begins with prayers to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to have mercy on us. Then it names many saints and our response is ‘pray for us’.

I hope these ideas help you to understand the Catholic point of view.