The Radiant Mission
The Radiant Mission
137. Praying to Saints: Biblical or Unbiblical?
Prayer stands as one of the most intimate expressions of faith, yet questions about who we should pray to remain deeply relevant for many Christians today. Should believers pray to saints, or is this practice more rooted in tradition than scripture?
The answer begins with understanding what a "saint" actually is according to the Bible. While Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions define saints as exceptionally holy individuals canonized after death, scripture presents a surprisingly different perspective. Throughout the New Testament, Paul addresses entire churches as "saints" – indicating that all believers in Christ hold this sacred designation. This revelation challenges many assumptions about sainthood and immediately reframes our understanding of prayer.
Scripture consistently presents Jesus Christ as our sole mediator before God. The powerful declaration in 1 Timothy 2:5 leaves little room for interpretation: "For there is one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus." This definitive statement, coupled with Jesus's own teaching on prayer directed to God the Father, establishes a clear biblical pattern. Rather than seeking intercession from saints, believers are encouraged to approach "God's throne of grace with confidence" (Hebrews 4:16) through Christ alone.
The Bible also contains explicit warnings against communicating with the dead, raising serious questions about the practice of praying to deceased saints. Instead, we're repeatedly encouraged to bring our prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving directly to God in every situation (Philippians 4:6). This direct access represents not just a theological position but a profound spiritual privilege – one that honors Christ's completed work and deepens our personal relationship with God.
Have you been wrestling with questions about prayer and intercession? Take time to explore what scripture actually teaches, and experience the freedom and confidence that comes from approaching God directly through Jesus Christ. If these reflections resonate with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts on Instagram or through the podcast contact form!
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Hey everyone and welcome back to the Radiant Mission Podcast. My name is Rebecca Toomey and I'm your host here, and we are continuing our Coffee Talk series, which is where we're tackling deep faith topics in a short, thought-provoking format. If you are loving this, please do let me know. Jump on Instagram, or you can even actually go onto the podcast and send a text message, I believe. So send me a message. Let me know how you are liking this series so far.
Speaker 1:Today's question should Christians pray to saints? It's a good one. Is this a biblical practice or has it been introduced through church tradition rather than scripture? Let's explore today together what the Bible actually says. Okay, this is a big one. This is something that comes up quite a bit Obviously. Last week, we talked about Mary, and there are some faith practices like Catholicism that pray to Mary and many that pray to saints. So let's dive into this.
Speaker 1:What does it mean to pray to saints, and how does the Bible define what a saint is? I think that's a good place for us to start. So the term saint is used throughout the scripture to refer to all believers in Jesus Christ. It is not a group of canonized individuals. Addresses entire churches as saints, meaning those who have been sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus. This is a huge distinction and something that, to be honest with you, I grew up in the church, in the faith, right as a believer, and I didn't understand what the word saint meant until I was an adult, until I was older. It's not something that's talked about frequently, so if this is new news to you, you can know it was new news to me too, not too long ago. So let's talk about this from the Bible, from scripture 1 Corinthians, 1, verse 2. To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord, jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. In Ephesians 1.1, paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to God's holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.
Speaker 1:In contrast, catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions define saints as individuals who lived exceptionally holy lives and were canonized after their deaths. Exceptionally holy lives and were canonized after their deaths. These saints are believed to have special standing before God and are often invoked in prayer. But the biblical definition of a saint includes all Christians, all believers, it's not just specific historical figures. Every believer is called to be set apart, called to be holy before God. And some other references are Romans 1, verse 7, philippians 1, verse 1.
Speaker 1:In some Christian traditions, particularly with Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, as I was referencing before, believers pray to saints and they ask them to intercede on their behalf before God. This practice is based in the idea that saints, as righteous individuals in heaven, can act as intermediaries. However, the Bible clearly teaches that prayer is a form of worship and that it should be directed to God alone. In Exodus 20, verses 3 through 5, you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them. And then, in Psalm 115, four through six their idols are silver and gold made by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see. They have ears but they cannot hear, noses but cannot smell. So just some context behind the Lord, letting us know that he alone should be worshiped and that we should be praying to God alone.
Speaker 1:So this brings us to the question is there biblical evidence for praying to saints. One of the primary justifications for praying to saints comes from Revelation 5, verse 8, which describes the saints in heaven offering prayers before God. So in Revelation 5, 8, it says each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people. Now, while this verse is describing saints in heaven presenting prayers, it doesn't suggest that the prayers are directed to them, in particular to the saints. Instead, it's showing that prayers are ultimately lifted to God and not to the saints themselves. As well, the Bible makes it clear that there is only one mediator between God and man and we talked about this last week, about Mary. 1 Timothy 2, verse 5, for there is one mediator and one mediator between God and mankind the man, jesus Christ. So, circling back to that one, jesus is the only one who stands between us and God. The Bible does not instruct believers to seek intercession from anyone.
Speaker 1:Next, let's talk about what did Jesus teach us about prayer? Throughout his ministry, jesus provided a model for prayer, and it was always directed to God, the Father, in Matthew 6, 9 through 13,. This, then, is how you should pray Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, and of course, that goes on to then the Lord's Prayer. Jesus never instructed his followers to pray to saints or angels. Instead, he emphasized that believers should bring their prayers directly to God. In John 14, verses 13 through 14,. And I will do whatever you ask in my name so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. And you may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it. Prayers are to be offered in Jesus' name, not the name of saints, which is why we say in Jesus' name, amen. Right, but what about the dead? Can the dead intercede for us?
Speaker 1:A common argument for praying to saints is the belief that they can intercede for the living. However, scripture does not support this idea either. In fact, the Bible warns against attempts to communicate with the dead. Against attempts to communicate with the dead. Deuteronomy 18, 10 through 12,. Let no one be found among you who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. That's a pretty big one. Nowhere in scripture do we see examples of believers praying to the dead. Instead, the Bible again calls us to direct our prayers to God alone.
Speaker 1:Hebrews 4.16,. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. We have access, you guys. We have access to God's throne through Jesus Christ. No saint or angel is needed as intermediary. We have Jesus. So what should Christians do instead? What do believers do instead, rather than praying to saints?
Speaker 1:Believers said rather than praying to saints, believers be encouraged to pray directly to God. Seek Christ's intercession on your behalf. In Philippians 4, 6, we are told do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. So let's talk about some key takeaways for today. By prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. So let's talk about some key takeaways for today. Prayer is always an act of worship and it should be directed to God alone. Jesus is our only mediator and we do not need other intercessors. There is no biblical evidence supporting prayer to saints, and believers should confidently approach God in Jesus's name. So, as you are sipping your coffee today, take a moment to reflect on this conversation. Have you ever been taught to pray to saints and, if so, how does scripture challenge or affirm that practice? How does knowing that Jesus is your mediator change your approach to prayer and what steps can you take to deepen your prayer life directly with God?
Speaker 1:I hope you find these helpful and if this episode got you thinking, I would love to hear from you. Join the conversation on Instagram at the Radiant Mission, facebook at the Radiant Mission Podcast, and if you prefer watching instead of listening, be sure to check out the YouTube version by searching for my Name, rebecca Toomey. I have been doing some extra fun captions and visuals and all of the Bible verses as visuals in that YouTube version, so be sure to check it out. If you would like to keep the Radiant Mission podcast going, consider becoming a monthly supporter, and if you can't support financially, that's okay. Please subscribe or leave a review. If you leave us a five-star review, it will help more people to find this show and these conversations Today. I'm going to close with 1 Peter 2. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. I'm wishing you a radiant week and I'll see you next time. Bye, everyone.
