Will souls be stuck in purgatory unless we pray for them?

[Ainchel]

I was recently told that the souls in purgatory (the Church Suffering) cannot pray for themselves to get into heaven – which is why we need to “pray for the poor souls in purgatory,” because without our prayers, they will be “stuck” in purgatory. Is this correct?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

It is true that souls in purgatory cannot pray for themselves – although they can pray for others, including for those who pray for them – but it is not true that they will be “stuck” in purgatory unless we pray for them. Purgatory is a process of purification that will eventually end with the souls there being released into heaven. What we can accomplish with our prayers is to hasten their purification and their entry into heaven. They will all eventually be released into heaven, but God allows us to help them get there quicker than they otherwise might have through our prayers.