What Does the Bible Say About Praying to Saints?

The practice of praying to saints is a topic that the Bible does not explicitly address. The New Testament emphasizes praying directly to God through Jesus Christ. It views Jesus as the sole mediator between God and humanity, suggesting that prayers should be directed to God in Jesus’ name. While the Bible honors saints and their faithful lives, it does not instruct believers to pray to them. The focus is on a direct relationship with God, without intermediaries.

Curious about the biblical stance on praying to saints? It’s a subject that many wonder about. Dive into the scriptures to explore what the Bible really says about this practice and the direct connection it advocates with God.

What Does the Bible Say About Praying to Saints?

When it comes to praying to saints, the Bible offers a different perspective than some traditional practices.

Firstly, the Bible is clear about who is in the communication line between humans and God. Jesus is highlighted as the main guy – the mediator. The New Testament, especially, puts a lot of emphasis on Jesus’ role in connecting us to God. It’s like Jesus is the bridge between humanity and the divine.

Now, about the saints. Yes, the Bible speaks highly of them. Their faith, their journeys, their struggles – they’re all there as examples and inspirations. But here’s the thing: the Bible doesn’t specifically say, “Hey, pray to these guys.” It’s more about learning from their lives and following their faith.

The idea in the Bible is pretty straightforward: you pray to God, through Jesus. Jesus said it himself, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” This doesn’t necessarily mean that praying to saints is a sin, but it’s not a practice that the Bible explicitly endorses.

God’s view, as presented in the Bible, seems to be about having a direct line with His people. It’s like having a direct call to the CEO, without needing to go through customer service.

So, what does this mean for those who pray to saints? It’s not about judging or condemning the practice, but understanding what the Bible teaches about prayer and our relationship with God. The Bible encourages us to come directly to God with our prayers, concerns, and thanksgiving, assuring us that He hears and cares.

In the end, the Bible’s focus is on a personal and direct relationship with God, through faith in Jesus. This direct access is one of the unique aspects of Christian faith, emphasizing a personal connection with the divine without the need for intermediaries.

Bible Verses About Praying to Saints

1. 1 Timothy 2:5 – “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” This verse clearly states Jesus’ role as the sole mediator, centralizing prayer through Him.
2. Hebrews 4:14-16 – “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.” Here, believers are encouraged to directly approach God through Jesus.
3. John 14:6 – Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This statement by Jesus emphasizes the direct access to God through Him.
4. James 5:16 – “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James encourages direct prayer among believers, not through saints.
5. Hebrews 12:1-2 – “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” This passage encourages believers to look to Jesus as the primary example and leader of their faith.
6. Revelation 5:8 – “And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” This verse symbolizes the prayers of believers going directly to God.
7. Matthew 6:6 – “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Jesus instructs on private prayer directly to God.
8. Psalm 145:18 – “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” This verse from Psalms affirms that God is accessible to all who call directly on Him.
9. Romans 8:26-27 – “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” This indicates that the Holy Spirit is involved in directly guiding our prayers to God.
10. Luke 11:2-4 – In this passage, Jesus teaches the Lord’s Prayer, directing prayers to ‘Our Father in heaven,’ not to saints or other intermediaries.
11. Ephesians 2:18 – “For through him [Jesus] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” This verse reiterates the concept of direct access to God through Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
12. Hebrews 7:25 – “Therefore he [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Here, it is highlighted that Jesus himself intercedes for believers, affirming his role as the mediator.
13. 1 John 2:1 – “If anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” This verse speaks of Jesus as an advocate directly with the Father, suggesting a direct line of communication in prayer.
14. Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” This instruction from Paul encourages believers to bring their requests directly to God.
15. Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” This verse points towards doing everything, including prayer, in Jesus’ name, implying direct engagement with God.
16. Acts 7:59 – “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'” Stephen’s prayer as he was martyred demonstrates direct prayer to Jesus, not to any other saints or mediators.
17. Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Jesus invites all to come directly to him, indicating a personal, direct relationship.
18. John 16:23-24 – “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” This teaching of Jesus again emphasizes asking the Father directly in Jesus’ name.
19. 2 Corinthians 3:4 – “Such confidence we have through Christ before God.” This passage reflects the confidence believers can have in approaching God directly through Christ.
20. Psalm 50:15 – “Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” God invites direct calls for help, promising deliverance and fellowship.

These verses collectively emphasize the Bible’s focus on a direct relationship with God through prayer. While saints are honored and respected for their faith and example, the scriptural pattern encourages believers to pray directly to God through Jesus Christ, supported by the Holy Spirit. This direct approach is central to the Christian understanding of prayer and relationship with God.