Can we pray for the dead?

I am sure many read the title to this post and immediately had a response to the question being asked. One’s individual response was most likely relevant to our denominational upbringing, or current beliefs. Some Christian groups or denominations have issues with the idea of praying for those who have passed on, and some do not. In this post, I am not going to discuss the theological foundation for any arguments whether in favor or opposing. However, I will share my own belief and argument, which has changed somewhat over time. I will ask the main the question I have asked myself with relevance to the subject.

Here is the question I ask. Is God affected or governed by time? My response is that I think God is outside of the time continuum and unaffected by time. So, yes, I believe one can pray for those who have passed on. If we do decide to pray, we may be praying for them, even if years later, during the time when they were still alive on Earth, and God can still answer the prayers during that time and our time. Past, present, or future most likely have all already taken place in the mind of God. The foregoing idea just may be my own slightly radical theological view but take it or leave it. I will share some New Testament texts that may or may not be relevant.

Jesus prayed after four days for a close friend who passed away and was buried, and his friend woke up (resurrected). Read the Gospel according to John 11: 1 to 44 to get the whole story. The Gospel of Matthew 27: 50-53 makes some interesting reading, as well. Allow me to share it?

50 Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.[a] 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many (NRSV, Bible).

The foregoing verses may seem to not be related to praying for the dead, but they do seem make the point that death is seemingly not a major obstacle for God, if one believes of course. Now, doubt and disbelief are an entirely different subject not discussed in this post, but not ignored in others. I just wanted to make a quick post to make us think on this subject. Blessings

 

 

 

Reference:

NRSV, Bible.