What happens when we ask a Saint to pray for us?

[BigRon]

I don’t mean when we pray a prayer but when we just say, St. Jude pray for us. Does he intercede for us and by how much?

 

[Irishmom2]

Of course they intercede for us. But we have no way of knowing by any kind of measurement how it helps. It always helps and never hurts, but ultimately, it is up to God and free will. Ours, and other people’s.

 

[Vico]

I don’t mean when we pray a prayer but when we just say, St. Jude pray for us. Does he intercede for us and by how much?

I think the exact amount of prayer is not known, but since we pray multiple times it would be in proportion it seems. Partial indulgences are granted in proportion to the degree of perfection of the prayer.

Revelation 8

3 And another angel came and stood before the altar, having a golden censer: and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer of the prayers of all saints, upon the golden altar which is before the throne of God. 4 And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel.

St. Paul directly asks others to pray for him (1), as he prayed for them (2).

(1) Rom. 15:30–32, Eph. 6:18–20, Col. 4:3, 1 Thess. 5:25, 2 Thess. 3:1:
(2) 2 Thess. 1:11.

 

[BigRon]

Is it a good ide throughout the day to say St. X pray for us?

 

[TheLittleLady]

He intercedes for us, standing in the presence of God. As everyone in heaven is perfected in love, their intercession will be exactly right for your situation.

 

[BigRon]

When we say pray for us, who are the us if I were praying alone?

 

[MagdalenaRita]

Is it a good ide throughout the day to say St. X pray for us?

Yes, that is a good idea. I have several saints I ask to pray throughout the day.

When we say pray for us , who are the us if I were praying alone?

The “us” could be the whole Church. It could be your family or whoever you might want prayer for. You can always just say “pray for me” if it is something specifically for you.