The Communion of Saints: Asking for Prayers from Those in Heaven

Introduction to Asking for Prayers from Saints

The concept of asking for prayers from saints in heaven can be understood by examining the biblical basis for mutual support in prayer within the Christian community. As members of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), we are encouraged to ask fellow Christians for prayers (1 Thessalonians 5:25, Romans 15:30, Ephesians 6:19, Hebrews 13:18) and to pray for one another (1 Timothy 2:1-2, James 5:16, Ephesians 6:18). This mutual support in prayer is a vital aspect of the Christian community, fostering unity and spiritual growth.

However, a question arises: Is it a sin for a Christian on earth to ask for prayers from a Christian in heaven? Doesn't the Bible condemn necromancy (Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Leviticus 19:31, 20:6)? Yes, necromancy is indeed forbidden in Scripture. To understand the difference between asking for prayers from saints and necromancy, let's explore the distinction between these two practices.

Difference between Necromancy and Saints' Intercession
Aspect	Necromancy	Saints' Intercession
Purpose	Seeking information or power through communication with the dead.	Requesting the intercession of holy individuals (saints) who are believed to be in heaven, asking them to pray to God on one's behalf.
Method	Involves rituals, spells, or practices aimed at summoning or manipulating spirits	A form of prayer, where the believer asks for the saint's prayers, not commands or compels.
Theological Implications	Considered a form of divination, potentially involving malevolent spirits, and condemned in Scripture.	Based on the communion of saints, where believers on earth and in heaven are united in prayer and worship, seeking to honor God.
Control vs. Intercession	Attempts to control or manipulate the dead, often involving the exchange of something in return.	A request for prayerful intercession, recognizing the sovereignty of God and the role of saints as intermediaries.
Source of Power	Often relies on occult or magical practices, seeking power from sources other than God.	Asking for prayers from saints relies on faith in God's grace and the power of prayer.

Let's break down each practice forbidden in Deuteronomy 18:10-12:

Divination: Seeking knowledge of the future or unknown events through supernatural means, often involving rituals or occult practices.
Soothsayer: An individual claiming to possess the ability to foresee future events or predict outcomes.
Augur: A person who claims to interpret omens or signs, predicting good or bad outcomes based on these interpretations.
Sorcerer: An individual believed to possess magical powers, often derived from evil spirits or occult practices.
Cast Spells: Performing rituals or using words believed to have magical power to influence events, people, or circumstances.
Consult ghosts or spirits: Seeking information, guidance, or advice from spirits or entities beyond the physical realm.
Seek oracles from the dead: Requesting guidance, advice, or information about the future from deceased individuals or spirits.

The Biblical Basis for Seeking Saintly Intercession

When considering whether asking for prayers from saints in heaven is comparable to forbidden practices like consulting ghosts or spirits, it's essential to understand the Catholic perspective. According to Luke 20:37-38, Jesus emphasizes that God is the God of the living, not the dead, for to Him, all are alive. This understanding is reinforced by Jesus' statements in John 11:25-26 and John 6:51.

Catholics believe that faithful Christians who have passed away are not dead but are more alive in Christ. Therefore, seeking their prayers is not equivalent to consulting the dead. This perspective is further supported by the transfiguration account in Mark 9:4, where Jesus converses with Elijah and Moses.

Moreover, the Bible illustrates that the source of power is crucial in determining the legitimacy of an action. For instance, in Exodus 7:8-12, Aaron's staff turned into a snake, and the sorcerers of Pharaoh replicated this feat. Similarly, in Exodus 7:17-22, Moses and Aaron, following God's command, turned the Nile River to blood, and the magicians of Pharaoh did the same. These examples demonstrate that the sole difference lies in the source of power. When the source is not from God, it can lead to separation from God and be considered evil. In contrast, seeking prayers from saints, who are alive in Christ and derive their power from Him, is a legitimate and God-honoring practice.

Awareness of Saints in Heaven

The question arises: Can saints in heaven hear us? According to Hebrews 12:1, we are surrounded by a "cloud of witnesses." The term "witness" implies someone who has firsthand knowledge of something they've seen, heard, or experienced. While the nature of their awareness is not fully understood, it's likely not limited to physical senses but rather a spiritual awareness, similar to the "eyes of the heart" mentioned in Ephesians 1:17-18. As 1 Corinthians 2:9-11 notes, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him are beyond human comprehension, and it's similarly challenging to fully grasp how saints in heaven experience or are aware of events on earth.

Revelation 6:9-11 describes saints in heaven who are aware of events on earth, crying out for justice. Additionally, during the transfiguration of Jesus, Moses and Elijah demonstrated awareness of earthly events, discussing Jesus' departure (Luke 9:31). Although they were not physically alive on earth, their awareness and participation in the conversation with Jesus suggest that saints in heaven possess consciousness and awareness of events on earth.

But do they pray for us? Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4 describe saints and angels in heaven offering prayers to Jesus, indicating that they are aware of our prayer intentions and pray for us.

Asking for Intercession: Biblical Basis and Catholic Perspective

While the Bible doesn't explicitly instruct us to ask for the intercession of saints in heaven, it does encourage asking others to pray for us. James 5:16 states that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. For Catholics, asking for prayers from loved ones and saints in heaven is an extension of this principle, with the understanding that location doesn't limit the unity of believers. Just as we seek the prayers of fellow Christians on earth, Catholics believe that saints in heaven, being in a sinless state and in closer communion with God, can offer particularly effective prayers on our behalf. This perspective views saints as spiritual elder brothers and sisters who can intercede for us in heaven.

In Catholic devotion, asking for the intercession of saints is not about seeking their help independently but about joining our prayers with theirs in the communion of saints. When we pray, we don't do it alone; we join the angels and saints in heaven in worship and adoration (Hebrews 12:22-24). This understanding is rooted in the unity of the Body of Christ, where believers on earth and in heaven are united in prayer and worship.

Addressing Concerns about Demonic Intervention

A genuine concern is that something demonic might start communicating when seeking intercession from saints in heaven. Let's address this concern. When individuals attempt to communicate with evil entities, such as through the use of Ouija boards, it's often the entity they're trying to contact that responds. This is because these entities are interested in interacting with humans.

In contrast, when we ask saints in heaven, members of the same Body of Christ, to pray for us, it's unlikely that God would allow evil entities to intervene. The saints are part of the same spiritual family, united in their devotion to God. It's implausible that God would permit demonic entities to pray to Him on our behalf or respond to our requests for intercession.

Furthermore, angels in heaven are more powerful than demons (Revelation 12:7-8), and they serve as ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14). Glorified saints may even rank higher than angels (1 Corinthians 6:2-3), which suggests that they are well-equipped to provide spiritual support and intercession.

Given the nature of the communion of saints and the hierarchy of heavenly beings, it's reasonable to trust that God would allow saints, rather than demonic entities, to respond to our requests for intercession.

Understanding Catholic Devotion to Saints and Images

A common misconception about Catholics is that they worship statues of saints, which is often accused of being idol worship. However, having a statue of a saint is not inherently idolatrous. Consider a statue of a national hero or freedom fighter – it's a symbol of respect and admiration, not worship.

Similarly, Catholics venerate statues of saints as a way to honor and remember their lives, virtues, and devotion to God. Catholics don't worship or adore saints like they do God; instead, they ask saints to intercede on their behalf, praying to God for them. This practice differs significantly from pagan idol worship, where statues of mythical beings are often worshipped as divine.

The biblical concept of idol worship refers to prioritizing anything above God, whether it's false idols, material possessions, or earthly desires (Exodus 20:3, Matthew 6:24). The key distinction lies not in the creation of images, but in the act of worship.

In fact, God instructed the Israelites to create specific images, such as the cherubim on the mercy seat (Exodus 25:17-22) and the bronze serpent (Numbers 21:8-9). These examples demonstrate that the issue is not with the creation of images, but with their worship. The bronze serpent, for instance, was later destroyed by King Hezekiah when it became an object of worship (2 Kings 18:4).

The Temple built by Solomon also featured carved images of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers (1 Kings 6:23-35, 7:24-37). These examples highlight the difference between artistic representation and worship.

Regarding the crucifix, it's essential to understand the biblical context. In Deuteronomy 4:15-18, God forbade images of Himself because He had not revealed Himself in any form. However, with the incarnation of Jesus Christ, God took on human form (Colossians 1:15, John 1:14). The crucifix serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and redemption, and its veneration is not considered idolatrous in the Catholic tradition.

Physical Expressions of Devotion

Lighting candles and burning incense in front of statues can be a physical expression of devotion and a way to ask for prayers from saints, as seen in biblical references to incense representing prayers (Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4).

Bowing or genuflecting before statues or images can also be a sign of reverence and respect, rather than worship. In the Bible, bowing was a common gesture of respect and homage, as seen in Joshua 7:6, where Joshua and the elders bowed before the ark of the Lord.

Similarly, in 1 Kings 1:31, Bathsheba bowed before King David to show respect and seek his favor, and in 1 Kings 1:23, the prophet Nathan bowed before King David to acknowledge his authority. These examples demonstrate that bowing can be a cultural and social gesture of respect, rather than an act of worship.

The intention behind the action is crucial in determining its meaning. As long as the intention is to show respect, reverence, or devotion to God, rather than worshiping the statue itself, such actions can be seen as legitimate expressions of faith.

Conclusion

The Catholic practice of asking for prayers from saints and venerating images is rooted in biblical principles and the communion of saints. By understanding the distinction between worship and reverence, Catholics can confidently seek the intercession of saints and honor their devotion to God. Through prayer, Catholics join their requests with those of the saints in heaven, fostering a sense of unity and spiritual growth in the Body of Christ.