Do Catholics Pray to Mary?

[Donald]

I get this asked this question all the time. The answer is yes but maybe not in the way you may think. It's not in the same way we pray to God. We ask her to intercede for us with God, believing she is a powerful intercessor due to her role as the Mother of God and her close relationship with Jesus. We Catholics see Mary as a model of faith and obedience, seeking to emulate her example and ask for her prayers.

We also pray to the saints. Asking the prayers of the saints is a tradition of the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Churches, and the Oriental Churches – in other words, all historical and apostolic churches which go back to the first century hold to this practice.

It is only the Protestant communities which started in the 16th century and later who reject this ancient Christian practice.

Jesus is the only mediator between man and God, but this in no way means we cannot or should not ask our fellow Christians to pray with us and for us. 1 Tim. 2:1–4 In particular, we should ask the intercession of those Christians in heaven, who have already had their sanctification completed, for "The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects." James. 5:16

In the Book of Revelation St. John sees that "the twenty-four elders [the leaders of the people of God in heaven] fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints". Rev. 5:8

Therefore the saints in heaven offer to God the prayers of the saints on earth. 

Angels do the same thing: "[An] angel came and stood at the altar [in heaven] with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God." Rev. 8:3–4

 

[mikepec]

Protestants need to understand the scriptural foretelling of Mary better.

1/ Jesus was announced as a davidic king , aligning to Solomon,eg riding a donkey
2/ We see in kings the Queen was the mother of a davidic king not spouse
3/ in kings 1:2 we see the mother “ given a throne, he bowed to her and said he would grant whatever she asks “ the power of intercession.
4/ We see at Cana mary intercedes when the wine runs out
5/ Jesus grants her request , but says “ not yet” my time has not yet come
6/ Jesus time has clearly come.

Mary is as Catholics say - a queen ( honorary) and since Jesus’ kingdom is heaven , she is queen of heaven ( honorary), given the power of intercession, the new ark of the covenant, given a crown of 12 stars etc etc in revelations , her offspring “ those who keep the commandments” which isbwhy Jesus says “ behold your mother “ on the cross.


Intercession of Mary is truly scriptural , we ask her only therefore to “ pray for us “, she is most powerful of all the saints because “ she is acknowledge as filled ( Greek : completed in) grace , God is with her” she is given the title and name by the angel hail “ full of grace” kechairotomene .

She was saved not as a sinner , but as we ask in the Lord’s Prayer : for the grace not to fall into temptation, she was filled with grace and did not fall, so was saved by not falling.

It is offensive how Protestants treat her as a used wine skin. How dare they?
Gods most perfect human.

 

[Donald]

I think the key to understanding why the belief in praying to Mary, the Queen of Heaven comes from the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary.

The Assumption of Mary (or the Assumption of the Virgin) is a teaching that, after the mother of Jesus died, she was resurrected, glorified, and taken bodily to heaven. The word assumption is taken from a Latin word meaning “to take up.” The Assumption of Mary is taught by the Roman Catholic Church and, to a lesser degree, the Eastern Orthodox Church.

The doctrine of the Assumption is the result of raising Mary to a position comparable to that of her Son. Some Roman Catholics go so far as to teach that Mary was resurrected on the third day, just like Jesus was, and that Mary ascended into heaven, just like Jesus did.

The New Testament teaches that Jesus was resurrected on the third day and that He ascended bodily into heaven. To attribute identical events to Mary is to ascribe to her some of the attributes of Christ. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Assumption of Mary is an important part of the basis for why Mary is venerated, worshiped, adored, and prayed to. To teach the Assumption of Mary is a step toward making her equal to Christ and essentially proclaiming Mary’s deity.

 

[Johann]

The New Testament teaches that Jesus was resurrected on the third day and that He ascended bodily into heaven. To attribute identical events to Mary is to ascribe to her some of the attributes of Christ. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Assumption of Mary is an important part of the basis for why Mary is venerated, worshiped, adored, and prayed to. To teach the Assumption of Mary is a step toward making her equal to Christ and essentially proclaiming Mary’s deity.

Which is false, correct @Donald?

J.

 

[Donald]

Which is false, correct @Donald?

J.

The Bible does record God “assuming” both Enoch and Elijah into heaven.

Therefore, it is not impossible that God would have done the same with Mary. The problem is that there is absolutely no biblical basis for the Assumption of Mary. The Bible does not record Mary’s death or even mention Mary after Acts chapter 1. The story of Mary’s Assumption, involving her resurrection and the miraculous gathering of the apostles to witness the event, is possibly pure folklore.

On the outer hand the dogma of the Assumption teaches that at the end of her time on earth, Mary was taken up—body and soul—into heaven. There, she sits at her Son’s right hand, as Queen of Heaven and Earth. The foundation for the teaching is rooted in Scripture, specifically in John’s mysterious and apocalyptic vision recorded in Revelation 12.

First and foremost, the woman of Revelation 12 is identified as Mary, the one “who brought forth a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron . . . [the one] caught up to God and his throne” (Rev 12:5). Revelation 12, however, also uses imagery that reveals the woman to be Daughter Zion, the Queen-Bride of Israel, and the Mother of the Church.

Take your pick.

 

[mikepec]

The Bible does record God “assuming” both Enoch and Elijah into heaven.

Therefore, it is not impossible that God would have done the same with Mary. The problem is that there is absolutely no biblical basis for the Assumption of Mary. The Bible does not record Mary’s death or even mention Mary after Acts chapter 1. The story of Mary’s Assumption, involving her resurrection and the miraculous gathering of the apostles to witness the event, is possibly pure folklore.

On the outer hand the dogma of the Assumption teaches that at the end of her time on earth, Mary was taken up—body and soul—into heaven. There, she sits at her Son’s right hand, as Queen of Heaven and Earth. The foundation for the teaching is rooted in Scripture, specifically in John’s mysterious and apocalyptic vision recorded in Revelation 12.

First and foremost, the woman of Revelation 12 is identified as Mary, the one “who brought forth a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron . . . [the one] caught up to God and his throne” (Rev 12:5). Revelation 12, however, also uses imagery that reveals the woman to be Daughter Zion, the Queen-Bride of Israel, and the Mother of the Church.

Take your pick.

Since the relics and last resting place of other far more minor saints were known such as polycarp , yet there is no record of the last resting place or , any relics known of the most important saint , Mary , then the assumption is the sensible historic conclusion as well as an obvious thing to do by God. The catechism 966 ( i think ) states it
As for dead resurrected or just assumed, clearly as with such as Lazarus she could be ressurected without becoming equal to Jesus! So that claim is nonsensical.

There are two traditions on where it took place. Ephesus or Jerusalem. It hardly matters.

 

[JLB]

I get this asked this question all the time. The answer is yes but maybe not in the way you may think. It's not in the same way we pray to God. We ask her to intercede for us with God,

So you believe praying to people who have passed away is ok?

 

[mikepec]

So you believe praying to people who have passed away is ok?

Since you are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
Mary clearly has powers of intercession
The prayers are there at the altar of God.
All heaven rejoices at a sinner that repents

We ask them to pray for us, we don’t pray to them ( as God)

So the Bible and sone of the earliest fathers believed it , the ones who chose your Bible! and most since.

Why do you dispute it?

 

[Donald]

So you believe praying to people who have passed away is ok?

I believe I gave my answer to your question.

"The answer is yes but maybe not in the way you may think." post #1

 

[JLB]

I believe I gave my answer to your question.

"The answer is yes but maybe not in the way you may think." post #1

Yes you believe it’s ok to pray to human beings that have passed away?


Brother that is praying to human beings.


That’s is idolatry plain and simple.


Praying to images or to anything or anyone other than God is idolatry.


But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Revelation 21:8

 

[Fred]

We also pray to the saints.

F

Post in thread 'Praying to Jesus'

Sep 21, 2024

1.39 billion Catholics disagree.

Then they disagree with the Bible.

1 Kings 8:38-39
whatever prayer...is made...then hear in heaven...for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men.

Only God fully knows the hearts of all, so only God is the proper recipient of prayer.

• Fred

 

[Fred]

We ask them to pray for us, we don’t pray to them ( as God)

By asking them you are praying to them.

No Greek word makes this phony distinction that you are attempting to do.

 

[Donald]

F

Post in thread 'Praying to Jesus'

Sep 21, 2024

1.39 billion Catholics disagree.

Then they disagree with the Bible.

1 Kings 8:38-39
whatever prayer...is made...then hear in heaven...for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men.

Only God fully knows the hearts of all, so only God is the proper recipient of prayer.

• Fred

Thanks for sharing the link

 

[Fred]

Thanks for sharing the link

No problem.
It's useful against anyone who takes what is due unto God alone and renders it to others.

 

[Fred]

Gods most perfect human.

Not find in Bible.

 

[Donald]

Yes you believe it’s ok to pray to human beings that have passed away?


Brother that is praying to human beings.


That’s is idolatry plain and simple.


Praying to images or to anything or anyone other than God is idolatry.


But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Revelation 21:8

Are we still going to be human beings in heaven? I what form.

Scripture, as we have seen, shows that no human being except Jesus Christ has ever entered heaven, and that remains so today.
Scripture is clear that there is no flesh and blood in heaven, and that all of our bodies there are spiritual bodies.

1 Corinthians 15:50 KJV — Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Romans 14:17 KJV — For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 15:44 KJV — It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

Christian theology states that people who have died and are now with God in heaven.Specifically, those who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation will be with Him there, along with all who have died in Christ. Some Christians believe that people in heaven are awake and conscious, able to pray for us and be aware of us.
Yes, that is a core belief within many Christian theological traditions. Specifically, it is a common understanding that upon death, believers in Jesus Christ are believed to be immediately present with the Lord in heaven, in a state of conscious existence until the final resurrection. This understanding is supported by scripture passages such as 2 Corinthians 5:8, which says that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord".

 

[JLB]

Are we still going to be human beings in heaven? I what form.

We will be like the angels.


But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. Luke 20:34-35

Angels are called sons of God.

We will be like them.

 

[Donald]

No problem.
It's useful against anyone who takes what is due unto God alone and renders it to others.

this part of the link is what is useful

1.39 billion Catholics disagree.

 

[Fred]

this part of the link is what is useful

RC's in disagreement with 1 Kings 8:38-39.
That is useful to know.

 

[Fred]

Jesus is the only mediator between man and God, but this in no way means we cannot or should not ask our fellow Christians to pray with us and for us. 1 Tim. 2:1–4 In particular, we should ask the intercession of those Christians in heaven, who have already had their sanctification completed, for "The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects." James. 5:16

Nothing in regards to those who have departed.