Look, I’m not worshipping saints or lighting candles to statues as people assume. I just ask them to pray for me. Isn’t that just intercession? Why is that suddenly a big issue?
—Ronald D, Vasai
Answer:
Thank you for your question. I deeply appreciate your honesty and the way you’ve asked this. Please know this comes from someone who was once Catholic too. We truly love and care for all our Catholic friends and family, which is why we want to explore these things carefully and biblically with grace and truth.
Is It Just Intercession?
The Bible encourages believers to pray for each other but this always happens among the living. Nowhere in Scripture is prayer directed to the dead for intercession.
1 Timothy 2:1 — First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all people. (AMP)
The word used here is “enteuxis” (ἔντευξις)—which means to make a confident appeal on behalf of someone else. But this kind of appeal is always among those still in the body, not those who have passed into eternity.
Jesus, Not Saints, Is the Mediator
The Scriptures draw a sharp line here that there’s only one authorised and accepted and the only mediator. Not Mary. Not Jude. Not Anthony. Not any local saints. Not Michael or Gabriel. Only Christ.
1 Timothy 2:5 — For there is [only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus. (AMP)
The word “mesitēs” (μεσίτης) means one who stands between to reconcile or represent. That sacred role is never shared, even out of sincere devotion.
But Isn’t That Just Honour, Not Worship?
Here’s the subtle shift we must recognise:
When prayer is directed to someone in heaven, when candles are lit, tears are shed, or when help requested, then that is no longer mere respect. It becomes proseuchomai (προσεύχομαι)—prayer that belongs to God alone.
Exodus 20:3–4 — You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself any idol, or any likeness [form, manifestation] of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth [as an object to worship]. (AMP)
This includes “what is in heaven.” Even heavenly saints cannot receive spiritual petitions meant for God.
The Simplicity of Christ
The gospel is not complicated. The Spirit draws our hearts to the simplicity and sufficiency of Christ and not to layers of saints or mediators.
2 Corinthians 11:3 — But I am afraid that, even as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led away from the simplicity of [your sincere and pure] devotion to Christ. (AMP)
This is a sobering warning. When Christ is no longer enough, we are drawn into spiritual complexity and that opens the door to error.
Where Is the Example?
No apostle, no disciple, and certainly not Jesus ever taught prayer to the dead. Even when Stephen was dying, he didn’t cry out to Moses or Elijah. He said:
Acts 7:59 — They continued stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive and accept and welcome my spirit!” (AMP)
The early Church knew exactly to whom prayer belonged.
Love, Yes—but Obedience More
We can honour the memory of saints without giving them what belongs to Christ. Prayer is covenantal and accessed by the death and resurrection of Christ, spiritual communication and that realm must be guarded.
Colossians 2:18–19 — Let no one defraud you of your prize [your freedom in Christ and your salvation] by insisting on mock humility and the worship of angels, going into detail about visions [he claims he has seen], to justify his authority, puffed up in his unspiritual mind, and not holding fast to the head [of the body, Jesus Christ]. (AMP)
Many who fall into this do so sincerely but sincerity cannot replace obedience.
We raise these points not to offend, but to invite all believers into the fullness of Christ, who alone hears, saves, and intercedes.
Has this helped you understand it better? Let me know.
Further Reading: Navigating Some Differences Between Christianity and Roman Catholicism
In Christ,
Shaliach.
