This article explains why praying to the saints is not idolatry but an act of honor, seeking their intercession on our behalf. (For more on the communion of saints, visit PrayerCodex).
Can we pray to saints who have passed away? Why ask for their intercession when we can go directly to Jesus? Is praying to saints a form of worship? What does the Bible say about it?
As Catholics, we’ve all encountered these questions, and they deserve clear answers. The Church, grounded in Scripture and Tradition, teaches that we can—and should—seek the prayers of the saints. Let’s explore why this practice is both biblical and spiritually beneficial.
Praying to the Saints and Worship
Praying is not the same as worshiping. In its simplest form, prayer means making a request. When we pray to God, we combine that request with worship—adoring Him and surrendering ourselves completely to His will. Thankfully, since God knows every heart (Jeremiah 17:10), He understands whether our prayer is an act of worship or simply a request.
When we ask someone to pray for us, we are, in essence, making a request—or “praying”—for their intercession. While we may not use the word “prayer” in this context today, that is exactly what it means. In Old English, people would say, “I pray thee do something for me,” reflecting this meaning. Webster’s Dictionary defines “pray” as a “request or plea,” which is precisely what we do when we ask for prayers.
Worship, on the other hand, is reserved for God alone. It involves sacrifice and complete obedience to Him above all else. Praying to saints—such as Mary, St. Peter, or St. Ignatius—is no different from asking fellow believers on earth to pray for us. In both cases, Jesus remains the one true mediator, through whom all prayer reaches God.
Intercessory Prayer
In 1 Timothy 2:1-5, Paul urges that prayers, supplications, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone. He then affirms that there is one mediator between God and man—Jesus Christ. Similarly, Ephesians 6:18 instructs, “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”
This call to intercede for one another does not end with death. The saints in heaven, united with Christ, continue to pray for us, just as we pray for one another on earth.
Physically Dead, Yet Alive in Christ
In Matthew 22:32 and Mark 12:27, Jesus declares that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. This means that all saints—whether on earth, in purgatory, or in heaven—are alive in Christ. Hebrews 12:22-23 affirms this, saying:
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect.”
Here, the author is addressing people on earth, yet he speaks of a heavenly reality. Who are the “spirits of the just made perfect”? They are the saints, dwelling in the same place as the angels in festal gathering.
Likewise, Romans 8:35, 38-39 assures us:
“For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
If even death cannot sever our bond with Christ, then all who are united to Him—whether in this life or the next—remain part of His body. Through this communion with Christ, the saints in heaven can hear our prayers and intercede for us.
Physically Dead Saints Pray
Revelation 5:8 reveals that the saints in heaven actively intercede for those on earth:
“When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
If the saints in heaven are presenting the prayers of the faithful before God, they must be aware of them. Their intercession is a reflection of their continued participation in the communion of believers.
Still, some may wonder: If the saints in heaven can hear our prayers, why can’t we hear theirs? The answer is simple—heavenly saints have no need to ask for our prayers, as they are already perfected in Christ. There is no reason for them to pray to us, just as we do not petition those with less authority to intercede on our behalf.
However, God occasionally permits saints to interact with the living, as seen in rare apparitions. This mirrors the way Jesus allowed Moses and Elijah to converse with Peter, James, and John during the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-3). These moments serve as reminders of the reality of the communion of saints and their continued presence in God’s plan.
All Believers Are in Christ
Colossians 1:15-20 explains that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, and that through Him all things—visible and invisible—were created. He is the head of the Church, the body of believers, and in Him, all things hold together. Jesus, as the firstborn from the dead, reconciles all things through the blood of His cross.
Since all believers, whether in heaven, purgatory, or on earth, are united in Christ and He sustains all things, physical death cannot sever the bond between us. The saints in heaven are just as much a part of the body of Christ as those on earth. They hear our prayers and intercede for us.
Time to Pray
When I am asked to pray for someone, my time is often limited by work, school, and other responsibilities. However, the saints in heaven are not constrained by time. If I ask Mary to pray for me, she is able to offer continuous prayer on my behalf.
While our relationship with God requires us to pray directly to Him, we can also seek the intercession of the saints. As James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Among all those righteous, none are more so than the saints in heaven.
Kneeling Before Others
When people question why Catholics kneel before the Pope or statues of saints, it’s important to note that kneeling has been a sign of respect for centuries. In the Old Testament, Jews knelt before their rulers (e.g., Genesis 23:12, 1 Kings 1:16). Today, people still kneel before kings and queens as a mark of honor. Kneeling is not an act of worship unless it is intended as such. God knows the intentions of our hearts.
What Does the Bible Say About Praying to the Saints?
To summarize, can we pray to saints who have died? Yes, the Bible affirms this. Why pray to saints when we can go directly to Jesus? First, the Bible instructs us to pray for one another, and the saints in heaven can pray without ceasing. Second, as members of the same family in Christ—God as our Father, Mary as our mother, and Christ as our brother—it is natural to ask the saints to pray for us. Is praying to saints worship? No, unless we intend it to be. And the Bible encourages us to seek the prayers of the righteous. So, do it!