Our Lutheran churches teach that the remembrance of saints may be commended to us so that we imitate their faith and good works according to our calling. . . . However, the Scriptures do not teach us to pray to the saints or seek their help, for the only mediator, propitiation, High Priest, and intercessor whom the Scriptures set before us is Christ.  [Jesus] is to be prayed to, and he has promised to hear our prayers. Such worship Christ especially approves, namely, that in all afflictions he be called upon. “If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father,” etc. (1st John 2:1).

First, a definition of who is a saint. The apostle Paul wrote to the saints at the various Christian churches. Obviously he was not writing to those who had already died, rather he was writing to those who had been blessed with faith by the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ.

We are to honor the saints in three ways.. The first way is to thank God for saints because He has shown examples of His mercy, because He wishes to save people and because He has given teachers and other gifts to the Church. Thank God for saints!

The second way to honor those who have been blessed with faith is by being encouraged by them to believe all the more that grace truly superabounds over sin. What an encouragement to observe the faithful who attend weekly worship, who care for the sick, who open their homes and their hearts to those in need, and who keep the faith in spite of ridicule and persecution.

The third way to honor saints is through imitation, first of faith, and then of the other virtues. In other words, to heed the voice of Jesus, the good shepherd, and be like Him!

Jesus invites you to pray to Him and in His name, He is more than willing and able to intercede for you as your High Priest, seated on the right Hand of God His heavenly Father.

--Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,