Why do some people argue that praying for the dead is unBiblical? Jesus prayed for the dead Himself.?

Question

n the New Testament, we have documentation of two specific people that Jesus raised from the dead. Jesus prayed as he spoke to His Father before raising Martha and Mary’s dead brother, Lazarus (Jn 11:41). And Jarius prayed as he got on his knees and begged Jesus to raise his dead daughter (Lk 8:41). Two people were raised from the dead, after having prayers said for both of them.

Answer 1

just for reference, which book/chapter/verse are you referring to?

Answer 2

Never heard of anyone criticizing such prayer; quite the contrary.  

Answer 3

So, I guess you are trying to get your dead people alive then, there is nothing wrong about that, but I see it is not Biblical to pray to the saints for you can talk directly to God

Answer 4

Because people are going to have their opinions. I pray for my dead cousin who committed suicide, and for a friend that od'd. It's just something that helps when I grieve for them.

Answer 5

Is not Jesus also not considered GODLY ? Jesus prayed for continued life on this earth, not that a dead person would be granted entrance into heaven. Two entirely different topics.

Answer 6

I don't not recall this anywhere in the bible, please clarify.

Answer 7

I agree with you, ...praying for the dead is still praying for the dead...Jesus is a lot more powerful than we are, His ability to bring a dead person back to life on Earth is showing us that our prayers for the dead can bring a person back to life in Heaven...

And we all follow Jesus...Mary hears everyone of my prayers....and it's great to have friends in High Places, isn't it?

Answer 8

The difference between you and me is your follow St. Faustina and I follow Jesus.

Unless you are praying for the dead to raise them back to life, you are wasting your time.

PS:  Mary has never heard one single prayer, ever, since she died.  And yes she died.  The Bible says she died.

Answer 9

in the book of maccabees praying for the dead was mentioned, however martin luther didn't believe that so he took it out of the bible, also in the book of sirach there is mention of praying for those departed, that book also deleted by you know who

Answer 10

The only Biblical way to pray for the dead is to pray that they would be brought back to life by God.

Answer 11

The only time Jesus prayed for the dead is when he was bringing them back to life.  There is nothing wrong with that if you want them resuscitated.  But, once they are gone and we accept that they are gone, praying for them to get out of purgatory is not biblical.  They had to get right with God themselves while they were still alive.

Answer 12

It is practiced both in Christendom and in the Orient. Does God approve?

The earth-wide devotion rendered the dead would lead one to suppose the custom is based on the Holy Scriptures or is at least in harmony with them. This is not the case. The Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge declares without hesitation that “no Old-Testament passage can be quoted in favor of the custom.” The Catholic Encyclopedia concedes there is “no clear and explicit Scriptural text in favour of prayers for the dead” in any of the sixty-six Bible books mutually recognized by Protestants and Catholics.

When thoughts of those who sleep in death rush into your mind and you recall their ways and fond personality, remember this: If your imperfect memory can recreate them, how much easier will God’s perfect mind and almighty hand bring them back from the memorial tomb. Let that wonderful promise move you to offer to Jehovah God an earnest prayer of thanks for his loving provision of the resurrection hope.