What does the Bible say about praying to saints?
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The Bible directs believers to pray to God alone, through Jesus Christ, rather than to departed saints. Christ is the one mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5), and He alone is the way to the Father (John 14:6). Scripture warmly encourages Christians to pray for one another while living (James 5:16; 1 Timothy 2:1) and to pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18). Revelation 5:8 portrays the prayers of God’s people as precious before Him, but it does not command believers to address saints in heaven. Christians may honor faithful believers who have gone before us, yet our confidence and access in prayer rest in Christ alone.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
- John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.
- 1 John 4:1
Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- Leviticus 26:1
"'You shall make for yourselves no idols, neither shall you raise up an engraved image or a pillar, neither shall you place any figured stone in your land, to bow down to it: for I am Yahweh your God.
- Romans 8:27
He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit's mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.
- Ephesians 6:18
with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints:
- Revelation 5:8
Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
- James 5:16
Confess your offenses to one another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effective, earnest prayer of a righteous man is powerfully effective.
- 1 Timothy 2:1
I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men:
- John 15:7
If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.
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