Are Christians Allowed to Pray to Saints

Begin with Frank Turek clip about shrugging priest who doesn’t have an answer – I have an answer…..

So should we pray to the saints? Is it supported biblically?

This idea of praying to the saints, is one of the things that separates Catholicism and Protestantism. We will look at the most common objections and explain why they are all wrong. We will look at three lesser objections and then one major one.

This notion of praying to saints is a major sticking point between Catholics and Protestants. The Catholics are for it, the Protestants against it – like about most of the things the two faiths disagree.

The Protestants will say there is only one way to the Father and that is Jesus. And not only that – this statue is idolatry, praying to the saints is polytheistic, and borderline necromancy. Ok, ok let’s take a step back and evaluate all of these claims and see if we can figure out who is right here.

First, let’s address the idolatry claim. In Exodus 20:4-5 it is written: “Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I am the Lord thy God am a jealous God.”

So the key point here is, Catholics do not worship these statues – like some kind of golden calf. Statues and figures such as this are merely symbolic of how God manifests himself on earth. This understanding is Biblically grounded. Think about the ark of the covenant – this was representative of God’s presence on earth. The best defense of religious symbols such as this is found in the book of numbers. It is written, the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to passs, that everyone who is bitten, when looketh upon it shall live.” (Numbers 21:8). And Jesus, himself, confirms the importance of this symbol of faith when he says in the Gospel of John, And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:14-15).

So the Bible, more particularly, Jesus himself, tells us that symbols are important in prayer. So no having a statue of a saint is not idolatry – just a symbol that helps us to remember God’s presence on earth and in our lives.

Next let’s address the polytheism claim. To pray to all these different saints – praying to st. Christopher for protection, or st. Anthony to help us find things, or St. Jude for lost causes, etc. is not polytheism, because polytheism is the worship of many Gods. Catholics only worship one God – the triune God. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, which is three Gods in one. For more on this, find the link to my Trinity video in the description.

And the next criticism of praying to Saints, is that is a form of necromancy, which the Bible also forbids in a few different passages. For instance, in the book of Deuteronomy, it is written, There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or daughter pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of the times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirit, or a wizard or a necromancer (Deuteronomy 18:10-11). The saints are people who have passed on, so praying to them does seem like it could fall under the umbrella of necromancy. The problem however with the point of view is that is misses the point of the entire Bible. Jesus died for our sins so that we could have eternal life – or as it is written in the most popular Bible Verse of all time John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that those who believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life. So, praying to the saints, is not talking to the dead; it is talking to a living spirit. (show pic of Pope Francis an Padre Pio’s uncorrupted body) Catholics do not have seances to talk to the dead; Catholics pray to saints, who are alive in Christ

So, as we have shown, praying to Saints is not idolatry, polytheism or necromancy. Nonetheless, the proverbial elephant in the room still remains. (Show Frank Turek clip).

If Jesus is the only way to the Father, the one true mediator, then why would any Christian go through anyone other than Jesus. Why? It’s like the old adage goes: it’s not what you know, it’s who know. Say you are applying for this job you really want, and it’s between you and someone else. You know no one who works at the company, but your competition has a close friend who works in human resources. Even if you are more qualified for the position, who do you think is going to get offered the job? Exactly! (Donnie Brosco clip) Both applicants are giving their resume to the same company, and company will tell you that their hiring practices are not bias at all and all applicant have equal consideration, but we know that that is true (but not completely)

Since the very beginning, believers have been using those they deem to be righteous as intercessors to God. In the book of Genesis, God tells Abimilech that Abraham will pray for him and because of that he shall live. In the Book of Job, God tells Eliphaz the Terminite, that his wrath was kindled against him, and “my servant Job will pray for thee, and I will listen to him.

Also, in the letter of James it is written, Confess your faults to one another and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16-17). The Bible makes it clear that the prayers of righteous man are more effective than the prayers of others. So, yes Jesus is the only mediator to God the father, but if we have not formed a friendship with the Lord, it might help to reach out to someone who has and ask them to speak on our behalf. Again, if you want your application to be considered, it helps to have a friend that works in human resources at the company.

So to conclude, this statue is not an idol, it is a symbol, Saints are not gods, nor are they dead – so praying to them is not idolatry, polytheism, or necromancy. And as for Jesus being the only mediator between man and God, that is 100 percent true, but what about mediators between us and Jesus – that is where the saints come in. So on this all Saints Day let us remember the communion of Saints (of which we should all try to be a part) and appreciate the fact that we have friends in high places.