Is the intercession of Blessed Virgin Mary really important for prayers to be answered?
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M$5 Answers
In verse 13 it is Adonijah that comes to Bathsheba asking her to speak to King Solomon on his behalf (asking for Abishag to be given to him as his wife) because he believed that the King would not deny his mother.
Adonijah was King Solomon's elder brother although Adonijah's mother was Haggith, not Bathsheba. Both women slept with David, they were brothers through King David.
So Bathsheba did as her step-son asked and asked Solomon for the woman to be given to him as his wife and Solomon. King Solomon was ultimately respectful of his mother (as commanded in the 5th Commandment) and heard her ask the favor for Adonijah.
What was King Solomon's response?
Adonijah was killed.
It seems the reputation of asking the king through the mother doesn't have such a great track record. At least according to scripture, although it's possible I've misread that story. Comments anyone?
Not sure how this story justifies praying to Jesus' mother instead of going directly to God through Him as instructed everywhere else in the Bible. Take John 14:6 for example, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (NIV) See http://bible.cc/john/14-6.htm. Even Paul doesn't pray to Mary, Paul prays directly to God (2 Cor 12:8, 9).
But Catholics believe and practice a lot of things that hearken back to their origins before being introduced to Christianity so you won't find many of those things supported by scripture. Everything from Sunday worship (not scriptural) to magic (the transformation of the bread and wine used for the Communion Ceremony) to the state of the dead (Catholics believe in the eternal soul, the Bible states otherwise) and most relevantly the worshipping of Saints (also forbidden in scripture) and deification of a mortal (the Pope) that claims to have the power to rewrite the very words of God (clearly forbidden in scripture).
I suppose it's important to put all these scriptural threads together here and point out that since Mary was not translated into Heaven she's dead and according to the Bible, can't hear anything you say anyway so what's the point? Do as the Bible instructs (not as a specific religion or it's masters instruct) and pray directly to God through the power and sacrifice of Jesus. Let the Holy Spirit translate your words for Gods ears. You're as likely to gain special consideration for praying to a dead person as you are praying to a rock or a flower (no offense). Bypass the belief in a non-existent middleman and go to the source as the Bible instructs us to.
I honestly believe that what's important in these matters is that a persons faith and practice of what they believe being sincere until they learn the truth. Over time when questions like this arise and the answers aren't in scripture, God has another chance to enact a more complete conversion to His will instead of the will of men who long ago refused to step down and let people read the Bible for themselves. Doing so would have stripped them of their power and wealth and well, you can see how that played out in history.
When in doubt, always follow the Bible and never take anyone's word for what it says. Read it for yourself. Seek and ye shall find. Trust in God's Word over all else and you can't lose.
NOTE: None of this answer is meant to offend, only to cause intelligent beings to bring into question anything that the Bible doesn't say and wonder after their own salvation. God bless you for asking.
The Bible. More scriptural references provided upon request.
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M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
There were a lot of books writen to put in the bible but they were non sence. Even women wrote books to put in the bible but sence they are women their book were not aloud to be put in the bible like for exampel mary magdeline she wrote her own gospel but they didnt put it in the bible beause one she was a women and two she was a "prostitute" but she wrote in her book that she was not one that the solders made that rumor up because the solders that were pertecting the tomb where Jesus was at and when they found out that Jesus was gone they payed the solders to tell everyone that Jesus followers stoled the body. There was also a rumor about Mary, Jesus mother, catholics believe that mary went heaven as soal and body.
"... then the king sat on his throne, and had a throne brought for the king's mother, and she sat on his right. Then she said, 'I have one small request to make of you, do not refuse me.' And the king said to her, 'Make your request, my mother, for I will not refuse you.'" Kgs. 2:19-20
In view of the aforementioned, it cannot be denied that those who were called to Heaven, including Mary, are still alive in spirit in the Kingdom of God that coexists with our world."
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M$
A possible denial would be a deeper understanding of what happens when we die according to Scripture. For more information read:
1 Thess 4:13
1 Cor 15:18, 20
John 11:11-14
Job 14:21
Ps 146:4
Eccl 9:5, 6
Acts 2:34
Ps 115:7
(...and others.)
Or as it is clearly stated, "For in death there is no remembrance of thee." Psalm 6:5
So if by "called into Heaven" you mean died, the Bible states that there is no conscious mind or spirit able to pay attention to your prayers - only Jesus and God through the Holy Spirit and we are exhorted to only come to the Father through Jesus (John 14:6).
Unless I missed a verse that states Mary was taken to Heaven before or after she died like others who are named in Scripture specifically, but I can't find one. Even so, the Bible says nothing good comes from praying to anyone but Him directly (if you believe in the 10 Commandments anyway). As I mentioned in my answer above, even Bathsheba's request on Adonijah's behalf resulted in his death. Not good.
Lovely thought, just not supported by a closer look at everything the Bible says on the subject. I can't refute the fact because the question is what do Catholics believe and the answer given appears to address that. So I'm just adding this comment as a source for further study.
It is important to remember that neither Mary, nor the saints or any statues, relics, pictures, or anything else, are worshiped by Catholics. God alone is worshiped.
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