Is it possible to pray to a catholic saint's virtual image on the internet?

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11 Answers

Call me Z Profile
Call me Z answered

Why would you pray to a saint? They are only dead mortals, promoted to sainthood by the mortal, corrupt Catholic Church. 

Pray directly to your God, or better yet, take action for yourself. Two hands working are more productive than a thousand clasped in prayer. 

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Call me Z
Call me Z commented
Thanks. Its always fascinating to discover what people will allow themselves to believe.
Fabio Silva
Fabio Silva commented
The images are very convincig http://www.imagensdesantos.com.br/
Didge Doo Profile
Didge Doo answered

Sure, it's possible to pray to Catholic saints or anybody else. I wouldn't bet too much money on getting a reply, though.

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Jann Nikka
Jann Nikka commented
I bet a zillion you won't get an answer from a dead person.
Didge Doo
Didge Doo commented
You might lose, Jan. As a regular NCIS fan I've learned that Ducky (the pathologist) gets answers from dead people all the time. >:-)
Jann Nikka
Jann Nikka commented
Cut body is different. Lol
Jann Nikka Profile
Jann Nikka answered

It's possible. But as you know, man made saints are like Mary, dead and can't hear you or help you.

PJ Stein Profile
PJ Stein answered

If you are praying to a saint it is not their image, no matter where it is, that you are actually praying to. It is the spirit of the saint you are praying to. In fact you don't need an image at all to do so.

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Matthias Schmidt
Matthias Schmidt commented
Yeah, but why are you praying to a mere human when you can pray to the God of the Universe? Besides, where does the Bible give a Saint's Prayer? It only gives a Lord's Prayer! Praying to a fallible sinner, who happened to be closer to God than other fallible sinners doesn't get you any merit in any area of life! (Not to discredit any saints- but they ARE just humans. Aren't we all?)
PJ Stein
PJ Stein commented
Mathias, it is not your business to whom anyone prays to. Not everyone believes in your particular faith.
Matthias Schmidt
Matthias Schmidt commented
If they're a Christian and they think that you can pray to a saint then they are misguided. Please note I'm not insulting or proselytizing here, I'm just giving the honest-to-goodness truth. If you disagree with me, or anyone else for that matter, that's your choice. I'm just putting the truth out there. It's your choice to believe it or not. My intentions are NOT in any way to nose in and tell people who they absolutely need to pray to. I couldn't even enforce it if I told someone to do that, and it would be ludicrous. And perhaps it's not my business, but it IS God's business! Especially if you profess to have faith in Him!!!!
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered

Absolutely. Religion should be about YOU and if this works for you, do it.

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Matthias Schmidt
Matthias Schmidt commented
Right. Unless you read that part in the Bible where Jesus said 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light. No one comes to the Father except through me.' I'm pretty sure that means that unless you become a born again believer from God's Biblical standards, you don't get to heaven.
Tom  Jackson Profile
Tom Jackson answered

Well, you are not really praying to the "image"; you are praying to the saint.  Any image, virtual or real, can help you focus on what you are doing..

Revelation 8:4: "And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel"

Hey, whatever gets you closer to God when you are talking about prayer is good.

Tinkerbell St. Basil Profile

You do not need a virtual image to pray to a saint. Simply say a prayer! From what I understand, the purpose of praying to a saint is for them to intercede to God on your behalf. You can cut out the middleman and just directly pray to God if you choose to. I was always taught when you lose something... you say a prayer to St Anthony. There are different saints for different purposes. If it helps you and makes you feel good, I always say-- do it.

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Matthias Schmidt
Matthias Schmidt commented
Sounds like Buddhism. Where in the Bible does it say that praying to a saint will cause him/her to intercede on your behalf? Actually- the Bible says that Jesus does! "Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died -- more than that, who was raised to life -- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." Romans 8:34, NIV
Matthias Schmidt
Matthias Schmidt commented
By "Sounds like Buddhism", I meant that they appeal to different gods for varying matters, in hopes that they will be fortunate enough to, in the end, get to heaven.
Cookie Hill Profile
Cookie Hill answered

You can do what ever you like,but it will not benefit you, and the reason why is stated at  1John 5:21, " Little children, guard yourselves from idols. Psalms 115:4-8, "A mouth they have but can not speak,Eyes they have but can not see, Ears they have but can not hear. A nose they have but cannot smell., Hands they have, but cannot feel, Feet they have but can not walk, They make no sound with their throat." We are walking by faith not by sight." 1 Cornithians 5:7  In the Bible God  has never told those who serve him to pray to anyone but Him.

sm cl Profile
sm cl answered

It's possible to pray to anything. Consider, though, that Ex 24:14 says "You must not bow down to another god, for Jehovah is known for requiring exclusive devotion.Yes, he is a God who requires exclusive devotion." Prayers are supposed to be your intimate and personal conversations with God and shouldn't be relegated  to anyone/anything else.

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Charles Davis
Charles Davis commented
I recall, that the people of Israel supplicating to Moses, Aaron and many of the other prophets to intercede on their behalf to God. Why then is it wrong to ask a person they think is in heaven, near God, to do the same for them today? Especially being God never changes. It's not worship, it is asking for help from a person closer to God.
sm cl
sm cl commented
The Old Testament instances you are referring to are where, the ancient Israelites needed the high priest and a sacrifice to approach God on their behalf. You are correct in that God never changes. It's just that now instead of sacrificing animals(or plants) and using a priest, we pray directly to God by means of Christ' ransom sacrifice. Christ is our "high priest" and he is closest to God, so we ask for help from him and no one else.
Ty Hibb Profile
Ty Hibb answered

No. The Bible shows that we should pray only to God, in Jesus’ name. Jesus told his disciples: “This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Matthew 6:9, New American Bible) Never did he instruct his disciples to pray to saints, angels, or anyone other than God.

Jesus also told his followers: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, NAB) Only Jesus is authorized by God to intercede on our behalf.—Hebrews 7:25

As part of the Ten Commandments, God said: “I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God.” (Exodus 20:5, NAB) In what way is God “jealous”? The footnote in the New American Bible says that he is “demanding exclusive allegiance.” God demands that acts of allegiance or worship—including prayer—be directed exclusively to him.—Isaiah 48:11.

We offend God if we pray to anyone else, even to saints or holy angels. When the apostle John tried to worship an angel, the angel stopped him by saying: “Don’t! I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brothers who bear witness to Jesus. Worship God.”—Revelation 19:10, NAB.


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