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Should We Pray For Dead People?

To either have them shown extra mercy or blessings depending on where they went? Family members that have passed on, and I know some will be in heaven, and...one or two that I fear may be in hell. I feel so sorry for them. :sad
 
Regardless of where they ended up no amount of prayer will make any difference once they are no longer on this earth.
 
Christians do not pray for those who have died. There isn't a need, nor does any Scripture even encourage it.
 
Willie T said:
Does the Bible indicate that we can somehow change things after they have died?
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No it does not. But it does say that the prayers of a righteous man availith much?! It's a sad thought to think about people that may be in hell right now. Scripture says more people find the wide gate than the narrow one so it's a real good possibility that someone I used to know...is there. I've prayed for God to have mercy on passed on family and friend members. I just don't know if I was wasting my time. But if the spoken word is that powerful and prayers are powerful then maybe God would have some mercy on them?
 
Edward said:
No it does not. But it does say that the prayers of a righteous man availith much?! It's a sad thought to think about people that may be in hell right now. Scripture says more people find the wide gate than the narrow one so it's a real good possibility that someone I used to know...is there. I've prayed for God to have mercy on passed on family and friend members. I just don't know if I was wasting my time. But if the spoken word is that powerful and prayers are powerful then maybe God would have some mercy on them?
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What about election? Predestination?
 
Edward said:
Should we pray for dead people? :confused
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pshhh would they pray for you?


(sorry horrible joke)


i too have thought of this...


annnnd may have actually done it...


i have a friend whos daughter killed herself....


i prayed for her
 
Edward said:
No it does not. But it does say that the prayers of a righteous man availith much?! It's a sad thought to think about people that may be in hell right now. Scripture says more people find the wide gate than the narrow one so it's a real good possibility that someone I used to know...is there. I've prayed for God to have mercy on passed on family and friend members. I just don't know if I was wasting my time. But if the spoken word is that powerful and prayers are powerful then maybe God would have some mercy on them?
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What form of Mercy are you talking about.. ?

Heaven more heavenly? Hell less hot ?
 
LightHouse said:
I've heard of that, but can't find any scriptural reference. I think it's based on an idea from Islam, whose believers do pray for the dead at funerals.
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No. It's from the book of Macabees, I and II actually.
They were removed from the Protestant bible after the reformation because Luther didn't like the idea of praying for the dead.

There's something in the O.T. too, but I'm too tired to look it up right now. Sorry.
(what good am I??)

I just wanted to say this...
Good night.
 
Rehab said:
pshhh would they pray for you?


(sorry horrible joke)


i too have thought of this...


annnnd may have actually done it...


i have a friend whos daughter killed herself....


i prayed for her
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We can't know what her last thought might have been...

Also, it's good to pray for her family. Which I'm sure you do.

It's a horrible experience to have to go through.
I knew a young mother who drowned herself many years ago.
She left a husband and an 8 year old daughter. I doubt one ever gets over that...
I'm sorry for you too Rehab -- that you were personally exposed to this terrible event.
 
civilwarbuff said:
Some Christians do.....Catholic.....Orthodox I think....
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Hi CWB

I used to be Catholic.

They pray for the souls in purgatory. It gets them out quicker.
Also, there are these indulgences: Confession, and praying specific prayers on specific days or times of year, which

1. Could get a person out of purgatory.
2. Could get YOU from going to purgatory. They have to be repeated though because they only last a year. (I think, would have to check)

I do want to add this:

A Catholic Monk, whom I know well, gave me a tract some time ago.
It said that one must MAKE UP THEIR MIND while alive and take the time to decide how they feel about God, because once we're dead...
IT'S TOO LATE.

So, YOU go figure what's going on in the Catholic church. They are trying to change but it's not easy.

Anyway, I want to say that I do love my born again Catholic friends. (and those not born again too).
 
Edward said:
Should we pray for dead people? :confused
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No. There is not only no example of this in the Bible or any other support, there is no reason to:

Heb 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, (ESV)

There is no more to be done after someone dies.
 
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