The Bible establishes, "For to him that is joined to all living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. The living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten." Ecclesiastes 9:4-5
This practice is not unusual but it contradicts the teachings of Jesus Christ and scriptures of the Bible. I would be surprised if the leaders of the Methodist Church would condone this practice. The pagan religions made it a common practice to pray to the dead and this practice is carried over into the normal practices of the Catholic Church today.
President Bill Clinton's Chief of Staff Leon Panetta, in his defense of Hillary Clinton stated on a Sunday news interview, June 23rd, that he regularly prays many "Hail Marys" in these times of stress. Of course, the "Hail Marys" of the Catholic Church are prayers to the dead mother of Jesus Christ, the "Mother of God," according to the teachings of the Catholic Church. This defies the eternal deity of God which is sacrosanct to the very existence of God. God had no beginning and was not born of a woman.
It is amazing how the Catholic Church can reconcile this practice of praying to the dead with the above Bible scripture reference. Especially when the scriptures declare "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works." II Timothy 3:16-17
Are the words of apostle Paul inspired by God and infallible or is the Catholic Church correct in their disregard for the wisdom and inspiration of these scriptures? You be the judge for yourself.
Furthermore the repetitive prayers of the Catholic Church are forbidden by Jesus Christ himself, even when they are not prayers to the dead. Jesus Christ declared, "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be ye not like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." Matthew 6:6-8
The Catholic Church is not the only group in Christianity that refuses to heed these words of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ continues in this passage to say, "After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Matthew 6:9-13
In spite of the above warning of Jesus Christ, not to use repetitive prayers, the majority of Christianity rejected his admonition and made this sample prayer a repetitive prayer. They continue to use it whenever they feel the occasion warrants them to do so.
Last Modified: June 27, 1996