Intercession

[BlondewithaBrain]

Ok, I've recently been in a bit of a faith battle with my mom. She doesn't understand why people ask for a Saint's or Mary's intercession; she argues, "aren't my prayers enough?" "doesn't GOD hear my prayer?" I've run out of ways to try to explain this to her..any fresh ideas? I've tried the bible, "whereever 2 or more are gathered..." and the fact that we are just asking for a saint's help and prayers, but she still doesn't understand why her prayers aren't enough. thanks in advance!

[Anna]

Maybe ask the saints to pray for your mom to help her see this.

I'm sure you've explained to her, Hebrews, chapter 12: 1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us 2 and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith."

This great cloud of witnesses sees our trials and burdens, and is willing to present them in petition before the heavenly throne of God, where they enjoy His Presence eternally.

Who wouldn't wanna have a bunch of friends like that??????

[Katholikos]

His own prayers weren't enough for St. Paul. Are our prayers more powerful than his?

l Tm 2:1 "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men . . ."

And Moses prayed for the people (Numbers 21:7).

"pray for one another . . ." James 5:16.

Need more examples?

There is one Mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ, who reestablished our friendship with God and opened the doors of heaven to us, locked since the Fall. That is totally different from the mediation of prayer. All Christians are called to pray for one another -- make intercession for each other.

If your Mother has a problem with prayers to the Saints, may I suggest reading Patrick Madrid's little book, Any Friend of God's is a Friend of Mine, which explains the concept very well?

We're all one family. The saints are our elder brothers and sisters in the Faith. They are not dead, but alive in Christ Jesus. Prayer to a saint is no different than asking you to pray for me.

When Catholics speak of "praying to saints" what we mean is, we ask the saints to pray for us. Saints have no power to answer prayers -- they simply add their prayers to ours -- imploring God on our behalf.

I may be telling you what you already know, but our Protestants friends may not .

Ave Cor Mariae, Katholikos

[KennC]

..... why people ask for a Saint's or Mary's intercession; she argues, "aren't my prayers enough?" "doesn't GOD hear my prayer?"....

KJB - Rom 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in [your] prayers to God for me;

.... now, if a hero of the Church such as St Paul can ask for help, .. so can I, I'm not so proud to assume I don't need it.

Peace of Christ, Ken

[Uncle Gus]

Okay, I had a brief search, but I can't find the particular passage that springs to mind. I'll try harder later, perhaps. But, it might pay to remind your mother that the Saints in heaven are _living_ not dead, and that, being in heaven, they are in _perfect union_ with God. What better conditions for prayer? After all, prayer is just communication with God, no? How could prayer possibily be any more powerful than when you're in heaven? So, asking the _living_ Saints for their _very powerful prayer_ for us, and for our intentions makes perfect sense.

The argument "isn't my own prayer enough?" is rather weak. Ask her why she doesn't eat just bread and water all the time. After all, "isn't just bread and water enough?" The point being that yes, sure, it's enough, by why settle for just bread and water when there is so much other stuff out there to eat? Pineapples and potatoes and celery and rice and chocolate and liver and spring onions and tomatoes etc. etc. etc.

In the same way, God gives us many, MANY different ways to prayer to Him, because He is a loving God, and He made us human, therefore He gives us _human_ ways to pray. And human beings are social creatures, we live in community with each other.

Also, remind her of the three parts of the Church (although she may only believe in two, so be diplomatic). I'm referring to the church Militant (that's us, on Earth), the church Suffering (in Purgatory) and the church Triumphant (the Saints and Angels in heaven). We are all parts of the same church, the same community. We don't cease to be catholic when we die, in fact quite the opposite, we become even "more" catholic.

So the Saints in heaven are as much a part of the same community as your friends who you go to Mass with every Sunday. In fact, the Saints are there at every Mass, celebrating with us. So asking a Saint to pray for you is exactly the same as asking your mom to pray for you, only it'd be all the more efficacious because they are _right there_ with God in heaven.

[Aloysius]

..... why people ask for a Saint's or Mary's intercession; she argues, "aren't my prayers enough?" "doesn't GOD hear my prayer?"....

KJB - Rom 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in [your] prayers to God for me;

.... now, if a hero of the Church such as St Paul can ask for help, .. so can I, I'm not so proud to assume I don't need it.

Peace of Christ, Ken

y'd ya use the King James Bible?

Jesus wants us to help one another. a true servant of God would always seek to help Christ by helping one another.

therefore, it pleases God to allow this communication between the Church Triumphant and the Church Militant that the Church triumphant may help the rest of the Church in their needs, for it cannot just help each other there, they need no help they're the Church Triumphant, they have been made perfect that they can stand in the presence of the Father, they are in God's presence and no longer have needs. but the Church Militant (on earth) and the Church Suffering (in Purgatory) still need help. these ppl are Holy, and you think they'll sit by and do nothing to help? to be truly holy, you must help those who need help, it's the teachings of Jesus. Their faith, if it had not works, would die and therefore they could not be in heaven. therefore, these ppl still do works BECAUSE THEY ARE HOLY MEN AND WOMEN, holy ppl will always help ppl in need, and if they don't help ppl in need when they know the ppl are in need then they sin. and you can't sin in heaven.

[KennC]

Hi Aloysius;

... y'd ya use the King James Bible?

yup! ... this way I can't be accused of slanting anything because I use a "Catholic Bible", my personal Bible is an old St Josephs Bible that Fr. Dave gave me one day, I just have a fondness for it??

Pretty much the same as going to Protestant, JW, Morman etc sites when looking for information.

Peace of Christ, Ken

Edited November 3, 2003 by KennC