Praying for the Dead, a good thing or a bad thing?

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In 2 Maccabees 12:38-46, 38So Judas having gathered together his army, came into the city Odollam: and when the seventh day came, they purified themselves according to the custom, and kept the sabbath in the place.39And the day following Judas cam with his company, to take away the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen, in the sepulchres of their fathers.40And they found under the coats o the slain some of the donaries of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbiddeth the Jews: 41Then they all blessed the just judgment of the Lord, who had discovered the things that were hidden. 42And so betaking themselves to prayers, they besought him, that the sin which had been committed might be forgotten. But the most valiant Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forasmuch as they saw before their eyes what had happened, because of the sins of those that were slain. 43And making a gathering, he twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection, 44(For if he had not hoped that the that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) 45And because he considered that the who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them.46It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.

In 2 Maccabees 12:38-46, Judas Maccabee orders that sacrifices be offered in the Temple in Jerusalem for slain Jewish soldiers who had worn pagan amulets (good-luck charms).

Yes, I know Martin Luther took this out of the Protestant Bible, but by who’s authority God’s of his?

The Jews believed in praying for the dead, St. Paul, also prays for his friend Onesiphorus who died in 2 Timothy 1:18 The Lord grant unto him to find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou very well knowest.

If Onesiphorus, was a good man like Apostle Paul stated and obviously he died in Christ, then why should St Paul “Pray” for Onesiphorus that “The Lord grant unto him Mercy in that day”? This is a claim to purgatory.

Many say there is no need to pray for the dead, are they right or wrong? Maccabees and St. Paul the Apostle proves them wrong who believethere is no need to pray for the dead. like it says in 2 Maccabees .46It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.

Purgatory is God’s Mercy for those who died in His Grace however having venial sins a sin that does not lead to death for there is two kinds of sin one unto death and the the other not unto death it says so in John 5:16 16 He that knoweth his brother to sin a sin which is not to death, “let him ask”, and life shall be given to him, who sinneth not to death. There is a sin unto death: for that I say not that any man ask. 17 All iniquity is sin. And there is a sin unto death.

“LET HIM ASK” ? Who is St. John referring to? It is the Brother who sees his brother in sin who does the asking/praying to God so that God, can free his brother whether in purgatory or in life here on earth.

Death = Hell! A sin which is not to death does not Equal Hell, but one must still pay for their transgressions here in this life time and if one does not fully, they do in purgatory… Now the sin that leads to Death well, again, Death equals Hell Fire.

Isaiah 22: 14 My ears have had this revelation from Yahweh Saboth: ‘Most certainly this sin will not be atoned for, until you die’ says the Lord Yahweh Saboth.

"This sin will not be “Atoned for until you die” This person above in Isaiah, will Atone for his sins after he dies, it can only mean Purgatory where else can he atone for his sins? In Hell? No! Can he atone for his sins in heaven? No! Why? we all know nothing with an addiction to sin can enter Heaven. This Revelation to Isaiah from God was Just that a Revelation of the Meaning of the word Purgatory. Amen

Definition of Atone: To make amends can the Person that Isaiah talking about Atone/to make amends in hell? Again no! But he surely can Atone/Make Amends in Purgatory

Jesus Christ says in Matt 12: 32 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the world to come.

Jesus Christ says “it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world or in the next” Why would Jesus Christ say this if there is no forgiveness in the world(Heaven) to come? Truth is there is still forgiveness after death for those who did not commit a sin unto death and this Mercy is called Purgatory.

I know to many this will go in one ear and out the next! It has been said that many Protestant in Purgatory don’t have their families praying for them here on earth, they stay there the longest, suffering for their transgressions** “until they pay the last penny.” **Praying for your loved ones Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, Family and Friends who died with a sin that leads, not into death pray for them they want you to pray for them, pray for them as did St. Paul did for Onesiphorus. they will thank you.

Yes, true the word Purgatory is not written in the Bible, but the meaning of it IS!

Ufam Tobie
 
Many of my Protestant friends tell me: Why do Catholics pray to dead? I respond: Did not Jesus say God is the God of the living and not the dead?
Hello, my good griend.

Praying for the dead is different than praying to the dead, but on both points;

There is nothing wrong with praying **for **the dead, asking that God take our dearly departed into His loving arms.

On praying to the dead, the Lutheran confessions speak to the issue this way, that there is no command, example, or promise regarding it. That said, I personally don’t condemn it, as it is a practice even of the early Church, east and west. Also, considering Christ’s words in Luke 15:7, *I say to you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven upon one sinner that doth penance, more than upon ninety-nine just who need not penance. *
This indicates that the saints in Heaven must have some kind of awareness of events on Earth. I may not practice it, but I can’t honestly condemn it.

Jon
 
Hello, my good griend.

Praying for the dead is different than praying to the dead, but on both points;

There is nothing wrong with praying **for **the dead, asking that God take our dearly departed into His loving arms.

On praying to the dead, the Lutheran confessions speak to the issue this way, that there is no command, example, or promise regarding it. That said, I personally don’t condemn it, as it is a practice even of the early Church, east and west. Also, considering Christ’s words in Luke 15:7, *I say to you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven upon one sinner that doth penance, more than upon ninety-nine just who need not penance. *
This indicates that the saints in Heaven must have some kind of awareness of events on Earth. I may not practice it, but I can’t honestly condemn it.

Jon
My brother Jon…blessings friend. Indeed and nice reply.👍
 
=ufamtobie;8432051]
In 2 Maccabees 12:38-46, 38So Judas having gathered together his army, came into the city Odollam: and when the seventh day came, they purified themselves according to the custom, and kept the sabbath in the place.39And the day following Judas cam with his company, to take away the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen, in the sepulchres of their fathers.40And they found under the coats o the slain some of the donaries of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbiddeth the Jews: 41Then they all blessed the just judgment of the Lord, who had discovered the things that were hidden. 42And so betaking themselves to prayers, they besought him, that the sin which had been committed might be forgotten. But the most valiant Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forasmuch as they saw before their eyes what had happened, because of the sins of those that were slain. 43And making a gathering, he twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection, 44(For if he had not hoped that the that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) 45And because he considered that the who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them.46It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.
OK.
In 2 Maccabees 12:38-46, Judas Maccabee orders that sacrifices be offered in the Temple in Jerusalem for slain Jewish soldiers who had worn pagan amulets (good-luck charms).
No problem.
Yes, I know Martin Luther took this out of the Protestant Bible, but by who’s authority God’s of his?
Luther’s translation of the Bible included all of the deuterocanon and Prayer of Manassess.
The Jews believed in praying for the dead, St. Paul, also prays for his friend Onesiphorus who died…
OK.
Many say there is no need to pray for the dead, are they right or wrong?
I would say there’s nothing wrong with it.
Yes, true the word Purgatory is not written in the Bible, but the meaning of it IS!
Perhaps, then, a specific definition of Purgatory. A state? A place? A moment of purgation in preparation for entry to Heaven cleansed? If you say the third, I can agree.

Jon
 
Hello, my good griend.

Praying for the dead is different than praying to the dead, but on both points;

There is nothing wrong with praying **for **the dead, asking that God take our dearly departed into His loving arms.

On praying to the dead, the Lutheran confessions speak to the issue this way, that there is no command, example, or promise regarding it. That said, I personally don’t condemn it, as it is a practice even of the early Church, east and west. Also, considering Christ’s words in Luke 15:7, *I say to you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven upon one sinner that doth penance, more than upon ninety-nine just who need not penance. *
This indicates that the saints in Heaven must have some kind of awareness of events on Earth. I may not practice it, but I can’t honestly condemn it.

Jon
Hey there Johnny 🙂

When you become a Catholic, Yes I said It become a Member of the Church there is going to be a whole lot of saint in Heaven Rejoicing, I am Rejoicing just by thinking of it. Why? Because you sir, Will be a strong strong Catholic. I feel this to be true however you need some twicking here and there lol, Truth is Most Converts to Church Christ founded are the Best Catholics. Amen

Ufam Tobie
 
OK.

No problem.

Luther’s translation of the Bible included all of the deuterocanon and Prayer of Manassess.

OK.

I would say there’s nothing wrong with it.

Perhaps, then, a specific definition of Purgatory. A state? A place? A moment of purgation in preparation for entry to Heaven cleansed? If you say the third, I can agree.

Jon
I say and agree with the first second & Third, for they are all one and the same by definition to me lol

Ufam Tobie
 
As a Friend, praying for the dead isn’t an odd thought…we may not do it…but we believe we are joined in the Light…us…This Side…them…Other Side…we don’t know what lies ahead…only God knows.

I must confess…i have prayed to my grandmother on my mom’s behalf when she was dying of cancer…I asked “Granny”, to welcome my mom into the Presence…I prayed the if “Those-Who-Have-Gone On-Before” would Call my mom Home soon…she needed to “Hear the Call” to let go of her hurt and pain and “go into the Presence”…I don’t know that such prayers “work” any better than asking God directly…sometimes it’s nice to put a “face” to a prayer…someone to assist carrring our needs before the Presence on our behalf…it’s a comfort to believe that the “great cloud of witnesses” surrounds us praying for us to nto fail…cheering us on the the “Goal”.
 
As a Friend, praying for the dead isn’t an odd thought…we may not do it…but we believe we are joined in the Light…us…This Side…them…Other Side…we don’t know what lies ahead…only God knows.

I must confess…i have prayed to my grandmother on my mom’s behalf when she was dying of cancer…I asked “Granny”, to welcome my mom into the Presence…I prayed the if “Those-Who-Have-Gone On-Before” would Call my mom Home soon…she needed to “Hear the Call” to let go of her hurt and pain and “go into the Presence”…I don’t know that such prayers “work” any better than asking God directly…sometimes it’s nice to put a “face” to a prayer…someone to assist carrring our needs before the Presence on our behalf…it’s a comfort to believe that the “great cloud of witnesses” surrounds us praying for us to nto fail…cheering us on the the “Goal”.
Publisher, I am sorry to hear about your Mom, my mom passed away to, I love my mom aren’t Moms Awesome.

We the Children of God are here for one another whether we are on earth or in heaven we all pray for on another. What you did was Good to pray to your grandma for your mom.

When you prayed to your Grandma for your mom, in your Heart and Mind and Soul you knew you never put your Grandma before God, am I right? Of course I am right… That’s How it is when we Catholics pray to Virgin Mary we never put Her or any saint before Jesus Christ, we do exactly what you did when you prayed to your grandma.

I find myself praying to my mom, asking her to pray for me, to God. God is a Jealous God, so it says in in the Bible, but not Jealous of this.

Publisher, I see you have a Bit of Catholicism in you in regards to praying to a saint in heaven who is your grandma. 🙂

Ufam Tobie
 
Publisher, I am sorry to hear about your Mom, my mom passed away to, I love my mom aren’t Moms Awesome.

We the Children of God are here for one another whether we are on earth or in heaven we all pray for on another. What you did was Good to pray to your grandma for your mom.

When you prayed to your Grandma for your mom, in your Heart and Mind and Soul you knew you never put your Grandma before God, am I right? Of course I am right… That’s How it is when we Catholics pray to Virgin Mary we never put Her or any saint before Jesus Christ, we do exactly what you did when you prayed to your grandma.

I find myself praying to my mom, asking her to pray for me, to God. God is a Jealous God, so it says in in the Bible, but not Jealous of this.

Publisher, I see you have a Bit of Catholicism in you in regards to praying to a saint in heaven who is your grandma. 🙂

Ufam Tobie
I know she prayed for me before she was Called…I can’t imagine her hot praying for me now…she is one of my “Wittness” in that great Cloud that surrounds us…we are not separated by death…since death is a defeated enemy…we share Life with those who gave gone on before…it is a comfort…most Friends would agree with me I think…but most wouldn’t express themselves in the same way as I just did…I try to 'speak Catholic" to get a point we share in one way or another.
 
We live in a world of illusion, look hard to see reality and truth. This is just a dimension, not the first, not the last just one, somewhere inbetween. Theres a mytical world some cannot see, thus cannot believe. I assure you its exists. I don’t know what this is, no-one told me. Its not the begining nor the end. Sorry if your caught in state of illusion. Look for one, a spiritual advisor who “sees” better than you and allow him to guide you.

Prayer for those here and elsewhere is a very suggested theory. They see you, some see them, some just cannot see. I’m sorry its this way.

Much Love and Peace
 
But Jon, that begs the purgatory question.
Hi Mark,
Begged and asked. A definition of Purgatory. A state? A place? How long? Some Catholics view it as a momentary cleansing. If it is momentary, then by what your are saying (I’m inferring here that prayer for the dead would require a time frame), does that beg the question of Purgatory?
It is an interesting question.

Jon
 
A state? A place? How long? Some Catholics view it as a momentary cleansing. If it is momentary, then by what your are saying (I’m inferring here that prayer for the dead would require a time frame), does that beg the question of Purgatory?
I think it’s a shame that the Church can’t answer the questions such as yours with “We don’t know.”

Or how 'bout this:

Purgatory is a condition in which a suffering soul benefits from the prayers of the Church militant and the Church triumphant.

Here’s hoping you have no need!!
 
On Tuesday, I went to a old friend’s funeral service. (tragic, he was only 28. Household accident)

Anyway, it bothered me that I heard no prayers for his soul. Then I thought about it, and talked about it with my friend Eric, who went with me. (Eric is a Catholic who has roots in Catholicism, but is away right now. I sense he will return one day) Anyway, we both got the feeling that they felt there was no need to pray for Kevin because he is already in heaven. That thought has driven me to say many rosaries and chaplet of the divine mercies for him, because I fear no one else is doing it.

Anyhow, if I was right about that sense, and I think I am, I have a problem with it. I feel that it is putting yourself in God’s place to pass final judgement.

On one other note. One time, when I was in the 7th grade, I had my first experience going to a Protestant Church, with Kevin. (Assemblies of God) The sermon that the pastor said stuck with me, because I didn’t like it. He was talking about prayer, and he spent about fifteen minutes about why God doesn’t listen to “late prayers.” I think that may also have a important influence.

Just to say, this is just one form of Protestant Christianity, and I am sure there are other reasons other Protestants may have those views on prayer for the dead.
 
Doesn’t Ecclesiastes 9 say that the dead “know not anything”? How does this relate?
 
I do not object to praying for the dead – in fact, it is done in the course of a funeral service and at graveside.

From the Service for the Burial of the Dead in the Lutheran Book of Worship:

At the end of the service in the church –
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, [name]. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him/her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.
and, at graveside –
In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to almighty God our brother/sister, [name], and we commit his/her body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless him/her and keep him/her. The Lord makes his face shine on him/her and be gracious to him/her. The Lord look upon him/her with favor and give him/her + peace.
It seems to me, to some extent, that having committed the deceased to God’s care any further prayers would show a sense of doubt that God has heard and will act on the prayers already offered.

I grant that this doesn’t exactly deal with the issue of purgatory although the prayer that God “receive him/her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light” could be heard as a prayer to speed the deceased into heaven.

Just a few thoughts from the Lutheran side.
 
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