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Often times we ask people to pray for us and our families - we see it all the time. Why do we do this? Because “the fervent prayer of a righteous man is very powerful” (James 5:16). Paul himself urged that “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all men”(1 Tim 2:1). Why? Because “This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (1 Tim 2:3). Because we are “many members, yet but one body” (1 Cor. 12:20), the prayers of the saints (Rev 5:8,8:3-5) are offered on our behalf. As proof that God is “not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him" (Lk 20:36-38), Moses and Elijah appeared at the Transfiguration of Jesus and talked with Peter, James, and John (Lk 9:28-31). Catholics believe that just because someone has died and gone to heaven, it doesn’t mean they can’t still pray for us - how much more “righteous” (as in James5:16) can you get than being in heaven? These are the “spirits of just men made perfect” (Heb12:23), the “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter1:4) who are “like him for [they] see him as he is" (1 John 3:2). They observe from above as the “cloud of witnesses” (Heb 12:1) and pray for us (Rev 6:9-10) As one of my favorite writers says, “it’s good to have friends in high places!” back | home |