When we pray the Word we don't need the influence of others like the saints to convince God to answer our prayers. https://www.pexels.com/el-gr/photo/3993919/
[Some people are taught to pray to angels and saints because they may have some inside influence with God. Jesus instructed US to pray directly to our Father in heaven.]
[Luk 11:1-2 NKJV] 1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, [that] one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." 2 So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as [it is] in heaven.
[Some teach that it is good to get as many people praying for you as possible. Especially if those people are godly saints, even if they are dead. Rev. 5:8 shows that the 24 elder saints in Heaven are offering bowls of incense which represent the prayers of the saints. Still, God is not coerced into answering our prayers by the number of people who intercede for us, or by how many godly saints you have praying for you. It is true that the prayer of the righteous avails much because we have the same faith of the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead on the inside of us—see tip 26) We Have THE Measure of Faith. Believing that others are needed to intercede on our behalf, is a deception of Satan to try to get us operating in doubt and unbelief when we pray. God will answer the simplest prayer like “Help!” from anyone. Even the unsaved, if their belief is not countered with unbelief! Still, there is a roll for intercession—the praying for others—that we are commanded to perform. Those prayers for all men can be offered up by us to the Father because we have one Mediator—Jesus!]
[1Ti 2:1-5 NKJV] 1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For [there is] one God and one Mediator between God and men, [the] Man Christ Jesus,
[It is ok to pray to the Father, Jesus, or even the Holy Spirit because they all make up the triune Godhead, however, Jesus instructed His disciples to pray to the Father which seems to be best. There is no example in Scriptures of people asking a deceased saint or angel to pray for them. There are examples of people (King Saul) seeking a séance with a deceased person, which is condemned in Scriptures:]
[Deu 18:10-12 NKJV] 10 "There shall not be found among you [anyone] who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire [child sacrifice], [or one] who practices witchcraft, [or] a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 "or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 "For all who do these things [are] an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you.
[Occultic practices like calling up the dead could open a door to lying demons masquerading as the dead, in an effort to deceive the living further. In instances like these we should use our Authority in Jesus’ name to tell them to be quiet and be gone in the name of Jesus—see tip 49) Spiritual Warfare. Why pray to fallen saints when you can pray directly to God through our mediator—Jesus! Still, there are numerous examples of people asking prayer for themselves or others. This is also known as intercession.]
[Gen 20:7 NKJV] 7 "Now therefore, restore the man's wife; for he [is] a prophet, and he[Abraham] will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore [her], know that you shall surely die, you and all who [are] yours."
[1Ki 13:6 NKJV] 6 Then the king answered and said to the man of God, "Please entreat the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me." So the man of God entreated the LORD, and the king's hand was restored to him, and became as before.
[Ezr 6:10 NKJV] 10 that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons.
[Job 42:8 NKJV] 8 "Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you [according to your] folly; because you have not spoken of Me [what is] right, as My servant Job [has]."
[Psa 122:6 NKJV] 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you.
[Jer 42:2 NKJV] 2 and said to Jeremiah the prophet, "Please, let our petition be acceptable to you, and pray for us to the LORD your God, for all this remnant (since we are left [but] a few of many, as you can see),
[Mat 5:44 NKJV] 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
[Luk 6:28 NKJV] 28 "bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
[Jhn 17:20 NKJV] 20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
[Col 1:9 NKJV] 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
[1Th 5:25 NKJV] 25 Brethren, pray for us.
[2Th 3:1 NKJV] 1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run [swiftly] and be glorified, just as [it is] with you,
[Heb 13:18 NKJV] 18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.
[Jas 5:16 NKJV] 16 Confess [your] trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
[Intercession is powerful, but it is not about coercing God but about establishing truth with two or more witnesses—see tip 11) Praying Together is Powerful.]
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