Prayer, Saints, and Christ Our Mediator
Today’s Verse:
1 Timothy 2:5 ESV
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
In the beauty of the Christian tradition, the idea of the communion of saints reminds us that all believers—past and present—are united in Christ. Roman Catholics often express this by praying to saints, asking for their intercession, much as one might ask a friend on earth to pray for them.
However, we as Lutherans approach this differently. We are deeply grateful for the example of faith set by the saints who have gone before us. We honor them, remember them, and learn from their trust in Christ. But we do not pray to them.
Why? Because Scripture teaches that we have direct access to God through Jesus Christ, our one and only Mediator. We do not need to go through any other channel, not even the most revered saint, because God Himself invites us to pray directly to Him in the name of Jesus. As Hebrews 4:16 urges us, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.”
This is not a dismissal of the saints’ faith or lives, but rather a confession of Christ’s all-sufficient role. Our prayers are more than spiritual conversation—they are acts of worship. And worship belongs to God alone.
So when we pray, we do so with the bold confidence that comes from knowing that we are heard, not because of any saint’s merit, but because of Christ’s mercy.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Gracious Father, thank You for the gift of prayer. Thank You that we can come directly to You through Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Redeemer. Strengthen our faith, that we may honor the saints not by praying to them, but by imitating their trust in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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