Catholics: What does it mean to pray to Mary?

[LittleTuneAlright]

I grew up Catholic, and while I have no issue with Catholicism, I enjoyed my schooling in a catholic school but we was not taught about the bible unfortunately. I loved the lovely rituals in church and all the grand symbolism and of course great monks chanting

What does it mean to pray to Mary? How does it work?

I pray to God the Father for Wisdom and understanding and don't quite understand Mother Mary's role in Prayer.
Can you let us in on it;
Thanks.

Just to promote the chanting..

Because it Totally blows me away every time.

 

[gpresdo]

I grew up Catholic, and while I have no issue with Catholicism, I enjoyed my schooling in a catholic school but we was not taught about the bible unfortunately. I loved the lovely rituals in church and all the grand symbolism and of course great monks chanting

What does it mean to pray to Mary? How does it work?

I pray to God the Father for Wisdom and understanding and don't quite understand Mother Mary's role in Prayer.
Can you let us in on it;
Thanks.

Just to promote the chanting..

Because it Totally blows me away every time.

God says..."thou shall have no other Gods before Me". That includes mother Mary, all saints, etc. The Bible says ...God is a jealous God. So anyone else in front of God is ...included in His commandment. Further, this is emphasized by God in His direction of ...first fruits.
I have catholic friends and they operate under the understanding that praying to Mary is just putting Her in a ....intercessor's .....position and is not being prayed to as one does to God and thus God's commandment of no other gods is not violated.
That is churning beliefs.

 

[Zao is life]

I grew up Catholic, and while I have no issue with Catholicism, I enjoyed my schooling in a catholic school but we was not taught about the bible unfortunately. I loved the lovely rituals in church and all the grand symbolism and of course great monks chanting

What does it mean to pray to Mary? How does it work?

I pray to God the Father for Wisdom and understanding and don't quite understand Mother Mary's role in Prayer.
Can you let us in on it;
Thanks.

Just to promote the chanting..

Because it Totally blows me away every time.

Jesus: "I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth [zao], and was dead; and, behold, I am alive [zao] to the Ages [aeons] of the ages [aeons], Amen; and have the keys of hades and of death." (Revelation 1:18)

"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25).

Paul: "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:26-27).

I have two questions for you:

1. Where in scripture does it tell us that any other human - other than Jesus the Christ - rose again from the dead and "ever lives" to make intercession for us before God?

2. Is praying to the souls of the dead any different to African ancestral worship and conjuring up the spirits of the ancestors in order to obtain their favor or blessings or help?

The reason why only Jesus can make intercession for us before the Father is because He is alive [zao] and His blood covers our sins.

So assuming Mary could hear the prayers of millions of people daily that she would be "required"? to carry to Christ (so that He may carry those prayers to God the Father), would she be able to rest in peace in Christ with so many people on earth bothering her daily - for the last 2,000 years?

 

[Triumph1300]

What does it mean to pray to Mary? How does it work?

There is no such thing mentioned in scriptures.
Praying to Mary is a Roman Catholic invention.
Pray to God the Father in Jesus Name.
Mary was just a woman used by God to bring Jesus into this world.

 

[bdavidc]

I think if you watch this, it will help. It was the message this morning.

The Real Church which is on YouTube.

 

[Triumph1300]

I think if you watch this, it will help. It was the message this morning.

The Real Church which is on YouTube.

For sure.
I watched him this morning.
Exactly.....this answers the original post.
Good message, I watch him often.

Pastor | Central Church

www.centralnc.org

 

[Behold]

Here is what the "cult of Mary" teaches.

Question:

Why we should pray to mother Mary ? ?????

Answer:​

Because Jesus has given us his Blessed Mother as our great spiritual mother..a heavenly advocate who intercedes for us.

Some Christians will ask, “Why pray to Mary when we can go directly to Jesus?” And if the prayer of a righteous man on earth avails much with God (Jas. 5:16–18), how much more would prayers from one who has finished the race and now reigns with Christ in Heaven ?

We should not be surprised that Scripture presents these holy men and women of heaven bringing our prayers to Jesus...the Lamb and that from the early Church onward Christians have asked the intercession of the saints who have gone before them to heaven.

Mary is the Mother of God and the disciple par excellence . We should not be surprised that she is our Preeminent intercessor among the angels and saints.

 

[Davidpt]

God says..."thou shall have no other Gods before Me". That includes mother Mary, all saints, etc. The Bible says ...God is a jealous God. So anyone else in front of God is ...included in His commandment. Further, this is emphasized by God in His direction of ...first fruits.
I have catholic friends and they operate under the understanding that praying to Mary is just putting Her in a ....intercessor's .....position and is not being prayed to as one does to God and thus God's commandment of no other gods is not violated.
That is churning beliefs.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.


Some views, mainly Amil take the following to be meaning in heaven while in a disembodied state at the time---but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Which then begs the question, how does that even make sense unless the ones in a disembodied state can communicate with saints still alive on the earth, and those still alive on the earth can communicate with those in heaven in disembodied state via praying to them? And since it obviously doesn't make sense, therefore, Amil couldn't possibly be the correct position. Not to mention, no Amil that I'm aware of prays to any dead saints in heaven, meaning Amils that are not Catholic. Yet at the same time, aren't all Catholics basically Amils, and don't Catholics pray to passed on saints?


No matter how you look at it then, the fact some Amils don't pray to any departed saints in heaven, while other Amils do, ones that are Catholic in this case---that neither of these scenarios make a lick of sense pertaining to this---but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years--if that is meaning while in heaven in a disembodied state. And if it is meaning that, what is the point of them being priests while in a disembodied state if there is no way to for those in heaven to communicate with those back on earth, and vice verse?

Though, I for sure don't agree with Catholics, at least their view is trying to make some sense out of being priests in a disembodied state. While all these other Amils have these in heaven as priests in a disembodied state, and they being priests while in that state serving no purpose whatsoever. They are just priests while in a disembodied state, except these Amils can't explain why. At least Catholics can. But even so, I still reject the idea of Catholics praying to departed souls in heaven.

 

[Lambano]

What does it mean to pray to Mary? How does it work?

From my conversations with our Catholic brothers and sisters across many years and three internet forums...

Asking Mary to intercede for you is not much different from asking your brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for you at church - or in the CB Prayer forum.

A couple of key assumptions: First, the souls of the Saints are said to be in the very presence of God. (I can think of at least one Bible verse that might support this, but if your eschatology is that all souls sleep in the dust until the general Resurrection, it doesn't work.) Second, the Saints have a much higher standing with God than you or I do due to the obedience they demonstrated in their lives. Think about it. If you ask me to pray for you, why would God listen to Lambano any more than He'd listen to somebody else? (Okay; there are some people on this forum who are a lot holier than me that He might listen to.) You need some help from somebody who's got "connections", if you know what I mean. Jesus is a good Jewish boy; He'll listen to His mother. (See "The Wedding at Cana" in John 2, if you want a Biblical verse.) She's more approachable. Ask her to ask her Son on your behalf.

I was once challenged by a Catholic brother on another forum to read the Catechism. I burned out around article 1430-something, but I noticed that each article cited a Bible verse. (For those of you who think Catholics don't read the Bible, they do.) Now, if I were a cynic, I would note that the hermeneutical principle seems to be to interpret the Bible in a way that maximizes the power of the Church hierarchy. And in that hierarchy, the Saints are above us. This reflects the medieval Patronage system in which the Church grew up.

But I'm too naïve to be good cynic.

 

[Grailhunter]

From my conversations with our Catholic brothers and sisters across many years and three internet forums...

It's not much different from asking your brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for you at church - or in the CB Prayer forum.

A couple of key differences and assumptions: First, the souls of the Saints are said to be in the very presence of God. (I can think of at least one Bible verse that might support this, but if your eschatology is that all souls sleep in the dust until the general Resurrection, it doesn't work.) Second, the Saints have a much higher standing with God than you or I do due to the obedience they demonstrated in their lives. Think about it. If you ask me to pray for you, why would God listen to Lambano any more than He'd listen to somebody else? (Okay; there are some people on this forum who are a lot holier than me that He might listen to.) You need some help from somebody who's got "connections", if you know what I mean. Jesus is a good Jewish boy; He'll listen to His mother. (See "The Wedding at Cana" in John 2, if you want a Biblical verse.) She's more approachable. Ask her to ask her Son on your behalf.

I was once challenged by a Catholic brother on another forum to read the Catechism. I burned out around article 1430-something, but I noticed that each article cited a Bible verse. (For those of you who think Catholics don't read the Bible, they do.) Now, if I were a cynic, I would note that the hermeneutical principle seems to be to interpret the Bible in a way that maximizes the power of the Church hierarchy. And in that hierarchy, the Saints are above us, reflecting the medieval Patronage system in which the Church grew up.

But I'm too naive to be good cynic.

I am a formally educated Theologian so, I worship with many different denominations, including Catholics. I recommend Holy Ghost churches but they all have their errors.

On this forum praying to Miriam (Her real name) is not going to be popular for different reasons. Mainly because they think their beliefs are Bible Only, but that is only because they do not understand the Bible and Christian history.

Bible Only people believe that the requirement that a wedding ceremony to be married is biblical. It is not.

Bible Only people believe that Polygamy and Concubinage and Slavery was stopped in the Bible and they were not.

All these things were corrected long after the biblical era because Christianity continued to evolve after the biblical era and as it stands the Protestant adopted many of the Catholic beliefs.

What Miriam is and our relationship with her was established centuries after the biblical era. Then again Catholic beliefs regarding Miriam have errors. As it stands there are over 20,000 documented visitations of her as well as many miracles. Which means that she is more active in this way than Christ. She nearly single handedly converted South America to Christianity….Called the Lady of Guadalupe.

So yes I pray to Miriam and believe it is OK to pray to Miriam. The difference is we should not worship her. It is a fine line I agree, around the world there are shrines and altars to her.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

 

[Triumph1300]

I am a formally educated Theologian so, I worship with many different denominations, including Catholics.

This sums up what a "theology education" does to a person.
I rather listen to a Holy Spirit filled born again speaker.

Be careful who you listening to, it's the "educated" messing up the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[Grailhunter]

This sums up what a "theology education" does to a person.
I rather listen to a Holy Spirit filled born again speaker.

Be careful who you listening to, it's the "educated" messing up the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I understand the soap box thing.
I believe in the Word of God and no other!
It is no excuse for ignorance. God love ya.
So ah….only the Bible ah!
You do not believe in weddings?
Gone ah sell your daughter as a sex slave?
Gone ah have multiple wives and slaves?
That is what the Bible says…..If you do not consider the things that God taught us after the biblical era it actually produces a weird religion.
But don’t get me wrong, this is my life loving and worshipping with Christians that do not understand their own religion…..because they do not believe in education.
Be good and do good. The Johnny Appleseed of Truth Ye old Grail hunter

God bless!

 

[Rockerduck]

I understand the soap box thing.
I believe in the Word of God and no other!
It is no excuse for ignorance. God love ya.
So ah….only the Bible ah!
You do not believe in weddings?
Gone ah sell your daughter as a sex slave?
Gone ah have multiple wives and slaves?
That is what the Bible says…..If you do not consider the things that God taught us after the biblical era it actually produces a weird religion.
But don’t get me wrong, this is life loving and worshipping with Christians that do not understand their own religion…..because they do not believe in education.
Be good and do good.
God bless!

I'm a college educated guy in Theology. I'm born again from above by the saving Grace of Jesus Christ. I know the bible and everything you said. The bible doesn't "say", the Holy Spirit speaks. Praying to anyone else except Jesus, is wasted. Not being born again from above and a child of God, will not be listened to, except one prayer for salvation. Jesus told me, yes, He does; to read His words specifically, you know the words in red. There is more in the parables than the Apostle Paul writes in his letters. Don't forget, Jesus taught Paul. the catholic church will not save you.

1 Corinthians 8:6 - yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

 

[Triumph1300]

So ah….only the Bible ah!
You do not believe in weddings?
Gone ah sell your daughter as a sex slave?
Gone ah have multiple wives and slaves?

Don't be stupid.
Act normal.
Highly educated, uh?

 

[Triumph1300]

Quote:.....because they do not believe in education.....
------------------------------------
The best education comes from the Holy Spirit.

 

[Triumph1300]

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Straight from "theology education", inspired by the enemy, prayers toward Mary and bypassing Jesus Christ.
How sad.

 

[marks]

Bible Only people believe that the requirement that a wedding ceremony to be married is biblical. It is not.

Bible Only people believe that Polygamy and Concubinage and Slavery was stopped in the Bible and they were not.

Wherever you are getting this from, it's an overgeneralization, and being such, it doesn't carry genuine meaning. It's just not so.

Much love!

 

[marks]

So yes I pray to Miriam and believe it is OK to pray to Miriam.

So you speak to those who have passed on? Whoa! Do they answer you back?

Much love!

 

[Grailhunter]

I'm a college educated guy in Theology. I'm born again from above by the saving Grace of Jesus Christ. I know the bible and everything you said. The bible doesn't "say", the Holy Spirit speaks. Praying to anyone else except Jesus, is wasted. Not being born again from above and a child of God, will not be listened to, except one prayer for salvation. Jesus told me, yes, He does; to read His words specifically, you know the words in red. There is more in the parables than the Apostle Paul writes in his letters. Don't forget, Jesus taught Paul. the catholic church will not save you.

1 Corinthians 8:6 - yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

From what you say there is no possibility that you are a Theologian. Whatever college education you have must be influenced by a denomination.

A Theologian knows that there are errors in all denominations. And most denominations know the process of Salvation. Hate filled religious beliefs are backed by Hell fire….cool down.

The Catholic Church has one advantage over Protestants, their church has lived with Christianity and all it advances since the 4th century. Fourteen centuries after the biblical era Protestants tried to piece their beliefs together and pretty much gutted Christian history.

Martin Luther was more or less the founder of Protestantism and the Lutheran church is based on his teachings….from there the Protestant church fractured into thousands of denominations and in many ways abandon his teachings. Martin Luther did not hate the Catholic Church he wanted to reform it. That is why he nailed his 95 theses on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517.

Other than that the Catholic Church has a horrible history of cruelty and corruption. The Modern Catholic Church is much better and has made formal apologies for their past. And it is a fundamental belief in Christianity to forgive. We hate and do not forgive....don't count on Christ forgiving us.

Now I am not Catholic but I do worship with them and do attend cathedral presentations of the Stations of the Cross during Easter.

True Theologions are not any one denomination even though they may have their favorites ….mine are Holy Ghost churches.

The Catholic Church calls Miriam the Mother of God….not exactly true she is the mother of a God. Such is with theology the truth hinges on precise wording. Like I said more than 20,000 visitation helping the ill and children appearing in the middle of wars and blood shed to help people. This continues today.

 

[Berean]

I grew up Catholic, and while I have no issue with Catholicism, I enjoyed my schooling in a catholic school but we was not taught about the bible unfortunately. I loved the lovely rituals in church and all the grand symbolism and of course great monks chanting

What does it mean to pray to Mary? How does it work?

I pray to God the Father for Wisdom and understanding and don't quite understand Mother Mary's role in Prayer.
Can you let us in on it;
Thanks.

The Bible says NOTHING about praying to Mother or any of the so-called saints. I too was born and raised in the Catholic faith and abandoned it at an early age.

Simply put, Catholics are led to believe that while Jesus is our intercessor to our Heavenly Father. Mary is the intercessor to Jesus on our behalf. She is also referred to as co-mediatrix. This of course is blasphemy and goes against scripture.

Below you'll find the Catholic answer to your question:

Why Pray to Mary? Because Jesus has given us his Blessed Mother as our great spiritual mother (Rev.12:17), a heavenly advocate who intercedes for us.​

​

Some Christians will ask, “Why pray to Mary when we can go directly to Jesus?” And yet they have no problem asking others here on earth to pray for them, instead of simply and solely praying to Jesus on their own. Indeed, St. Paul says that God grants blessings “in answer to many prayers” (2 Cor. 1:11). And if the prayer of a righteous man on earth avails much with God (Jas. 5:16–18), how much more would prayers from one who has finished the race and now reigns with Christ in heaven?​

​

Scripture elsewhere speaks of the “the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven” and “the spirits of just men made perfect” (Heb. 12:23, emphasis added). Given their heavenly perfection in Jesus, which would include perfection in charity and thus concern for their brothers and sisters in Christ on earth (see 1 Cor. 2:12-26), we should not be surprised that Scripture presents these holy men and women of heaven bringing our prayers to Jesus the Lamb (Rev. 5:8), and that from the early Church onward Christians have asked the intercession of the saints who have gone before them to heaven.​

​

In this light, we see that the saints—as faithful disciples of Jesus—are his collaborators, not his competitors in interceding for us. Consequently, because Mary is the Mother of God and the disciple par excellence (see Luke 1:28, 38), we should not be surprised that she is our preeminent intercessor among the angels and saints.​

​

For more on this subject, see our tracts on “Praying to the Saints” and “The Intercession of the Saints.”​