Should I Pray to Saints?

In the article “Should I Pray to Saints?” on JW.org, the Jehovah’s witnesses argue against the practice of praying to Saints in the Catholic Church. As a Catholic apologist, I will engage in a series of sample conversations with a Jehovah’s witness, addressing each claim made in the article. I will provide a Catholic viewpoint rooted in Scripture, demonstrating the compatibility of Catholic teachings with the written Word of God.

Conversation 1: Praying Only to God

JW: The Bible clearly states that we should pray only to God, as Jesus instructed His disciples to address God in their prayers. Therefore, praying to Saints, Angels, or anyone other than God is not supported by Scripture.

Catholic: I appreciate your concern for Scriptural guidance in prayer. Indeed, Jesus teaches us to address God as Father in our prayers. However, it does not mean that we cannot also ask for the intercession of the Saints. In the book of Revelation, we read about the prayers of the Saints being presented to God. (Apocalypse 5:8) This implies that the Saints can intercede for us by presenting our prayers to God, just as Moses interceded for the people of Israel. (Exodus 32:9-14) The Catholic Church understands that Saints, being in heaven with God, can pray for us and help us grow closer to Him.

JW: But doesn’t the Bible say that Jesus is the only way to the Father? Doesn’t that mean we can only pray through Jesus?

Catholic: Absolutely, Jesus is indeed the only Mediator of salvation between God and man. (1 Timothy 2:5) In the Catholic understanding, praying to the Saints is not about bypassing Jesus or seeking salvation through them. It is about seeking their intercession and joining our prayers with theirs as members of the Body of Christ. Just as we ask fellow Christians to pray for us here on Earth, we ask the Saints in heaven to intercede for us before God. It is a beautiful expression of the communion we share in the Mystical Body of Christ.

Conversation 2: God’s Demand for Exclusive Allegiance

JW: The Jehovah’s witnesses believe that God’s jealousy demands exclusive allegiance, and therefore, we should not pray to anyone other than God. Praying to Saints or Angels is seen as a form of worship that offends God’s exclusivity.

Catholic: The Catholic Church agrees that God demands exclusive allegiance, and that worship should be directed solely to Him. We do not worship or adore Saints or Angels; instead, we honor them as the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us, living lives of faithfulness and guiding us by their example. In the Letter to the Hebrews, we are reminded of the “cloud of witnesses” surrounding us and the need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:1) Just as we honor our parents or mentors without detracting from our worship and allegiance to God, we honor the Saints as faithful followers of Christ, seeking their prayers and guidance, while maintaining our worship exclusively for God.

JW: But doesn’t the Bible clearly state that an Angel instructed John not to worship him, but only to worship God?

Catholic: You are correct that in Revelation an Angel stopped John from worshiping him, emphasizing the exclusive worship due to God alone. However, this does not negate the fact that the Saints in heaven, as members of the Church, can intercede for us in prayer. When we ask for the intercession of the Saints, we are not worshiping them, but rather seeking their assistance and prayers as fellow members of the same Body of Christ. Their intercession should always lead us to direct our ultimate worship and praise to God alone.

Throughout these conversations, we have seen that the Catholic practice of praying to Saints is grounded in Scripture and coherent with the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles. Praying to Saints does not undermine the exclusive worship due to God; instead, it enhances our relationship with Him by allowing us to participate more fully in the Communion of Saints. By joining our prayers with those of the Saints, we deepen our connection to the Body of Christ and invoke the intercession of those who have faithfully walked the path of holiness before us.

Key Catholic Teachings:

1. The Saints can intercede for us before God (Apocalypse 5:8).
2. Jesus is the only Mediator of salvation between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).
3. Praying to the Saints is seeking their intercession, not bypassing Jesus.
4. Praying to Saints is not worship but honoring their example and seeking their prayers.
5. Saints in heaven are part of the “cloud of witnesses” surrounding us (Hebrews 12:1).
6. Worship and adoration are exclusively due to God alone.