Praying to Mary, Colossians 3:17

This post concerns praying to dead Saints and Mary, Jesus’ mother.

Praying to Mary discusses what the Bible teaches about the address of our prayers, Colossians 3:17. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

This verse authorizes doing everything ‘in Jesus’ name.’ The right or authority to pray to Mary or any dead person cannot be found in scripture.

However, without authority many disciples began praying to Mary as the ‘mother of God’ as early as about 250 AD. In 431, the Council of Ephesus officially gave Mary the title ‘mother of God.’ As years passed, holidays and honors were given to Mary.

Jesus promised to answer petitions addressed, not to Mary, but to Him, John 14:13-14. “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” Jesus did not mention his mother, Mary.

While we pray to Jesus or the Father, we have help, Romans 8:26-27. “Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what…the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Note that the Holy Spirit intercedes, but not Mary.

As Stephen died, he prayed, not to Mary, but to Jesus, Acts 7:59-60. “And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

In brief, no Bible passage authorizes or illustrates praying to Mary.

Today, let us pray to the Father and to Jesus understanding that the Holy Spirit helps our prayers.

So, what did we learn?

1.The New Testament authorizes prayers to the Father and Jesus.

2.The scriptures do not authorize prayers to Mary.

3.The Holy Spirit helps our prayers.

For more on the Bible, click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#prayerJesus #notPrayMary