Understanding Prayer to Saints Is it biblical to ask the saints in heaven to pray for us? Catholics say yes since we are all part of the communion of saints. Most protestants say no, even though many of them recite the Apostles’ Creed. Thus, they profess to believe in the “communion of saints” but usually they cannot explain what this means. What does it mean to believe in the communion of saints? Does this belief give us biblical foundations for the doctrine of intercessory prayer? COMMUNION OF SAINTS As the word suggests, the communion of saints refers to the bond of unity among all believers, both living and dead, who are committed followers of Christ. In Christ, we are made part of God’s family (1 Tim 3:15), children of God ( 1 John 3:1), joint heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17), and partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:14). This family communion of saints is known to Catholics as the Mystical Body of Christ. We are joined in a supernatural union as members of Christ’s own body, and thus as members of one another. Each of us participates in the divine life of Christ himself. Known the image of the Vine and the Branches (John 15:1-5). Remind non-Catholics that because we as branches are connected to Christ the vine, we are also connected to each other. It is the life and grace of Jesus that gives us life and unites us in our common pilgrimage to heaven. St. Paul emphasize this unity in Christ’s body in 1 Cor 12:12-7 (especially) v. 25-27 and in Rom 12:4-16. Know these passages. INTERCESSORY PRAYER What we have said about the communion of saints give us the biblical reason why Catholics ask the saints to intercede for them: 1. All Christians are members of the Christ’s body and one another (Rom 12:5 and many others) 2. Jesus has only one body (Eph 4:4; Col 3:15). 3. Death cannot separate Christians from Christ or from one another (Rom 8:35-39) 4. Christians are bound in mutual love (Rom 12:10; 1Thess 5:11; Gal 6:2) We are members of Christ’s one body, united in His divine life even beyond the grave, and concerned with each other’s salvation and growth in Christ’s family. In that union, we call for help and support from our older brothers and sisters who have already won their crown of glory. Just as in our human families we naturally turn our siblings for aid and example, how much more should we turn to our supernatural family for help and inspiration.
Posted on: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 06:56:41 +0000
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