prayers of saints

One of the teachings that would seem to separate Protestants from Roman Catholics is that of the prayers of the saints.  In popular RC teaching, one is encouraged to appeal to a favorite saint in heaven to put in a good word with God to support a particular request.  Examples might include St. Anthony for things lost, St. Joseph for protecting families, or St. Jude for seemingly hopeless situations.  Protestants find this disturbing given the Bible's clear statement in 1 Timothy 2:5 that there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.

And yet, I believe the Bible clearly teaches us to appreciate the prayers of the saints, not only our brothers and sisters here on earth in the church militant, but also in glory as the church triumphant.  The Book of Revelation records that the four beasts and twenty-four elders in glory come before the Mediator Lamb with bowls of incense, which are the prayers of saints (5:8), and that the heavenly altar receives the prayers of all saints (8:3).  There seems to be no distinction here between saints "above" and we here "below".  All indwelt by The Holy Spirit now and in eternity are saints, "the holy ones."  They all are praying without ceasing, or at least we can be sure that those in glory are, whereas, with us, prayer can be an intermittent thing.=

In order not to suggest that glorified "saints" are prayer mediators, modern translations of Revelation 5:8 and 8:3 substitute "prayers of all God's People," leading us to believe that those prayers in glory are only ours on earth ascending to heaven.  But this misses the essential Reality of Glory.  Those now seated in Glorified Bodies with Jesus join Him in His perpetual intercession for us (Romans 8:34), as He always lives to [do so] (Hebrews 7:25). Those saints join with us saints on earth in prayer.  We on earth seek to echo The Prayers of Jesus by relying on the Holy Spirit, Who assists us to pray as Jesus is praying, if we will listen (Romans 8:26).  In contrast, those in glory pray right along with Jesus in what they actually "hear"  from the Lips of Jesus Himself.  In reality, there is one True Prayer in the Universe, that of Jesus, amplified by the words, sighs, and groanings of all the saints, everywhere.

So, as you pray, recognize that you are not alone.  You are surrounded by that great cloud of witnesses alongside and above who pray with Jesus that His Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  And note that your beloved, who have lived, died, and rose in Him, are praying with you and for you.