Darren on Nostr: PRAYING TO SAINTS? There are different kinds of prayer: adoration (worship), ...
PRAYING TO SAINTS?
There are different kinds of prayer: adoration (worship), contrition (expressing sorrow), thanksgiving, and supplication (asking).
Only one of these kinds necessarily involves worship.
That's how Catholics can "pray" to Mary and the saints. They don't adore or worship them in prayer (that would be idolatry). Most often, we seek favors from them -- such as asking them to offer intercessory prayers to God on our behalf.
As people of prayer, we Catholics are sinful beggars seeking the prayers of each other and of those holier than ourselves -- whether people on earth or those who are already in heaven.
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much," says the apostle James.
There are different kinds of prayer: adoration (worship), contrition (expressing sorrow), thanksgiving, and supplication (asking).
Only one of these kinds necessarily involves worship.
That's how Catholics can "pray" to Mary and the saints. They don't adore or worship them in prayer (that would be idolatry). Most often, we seek favors from them -- such as asking them to offer intercessory prayers to God on our behalf.
As people of prayer, we Catholics are sinful beggars seeking the prayers of each other and of those holier than ourselves -- whether people on earth or those who are already in heaven.
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much," says the apostle James.