Catholic doctrine commands members to pray to the virgin Mary:
| “By asking Mary to pray for us, we acknowledge ourselves to be poor sinners and we address ourselves to the 'Mother of Mercy,' the All-Holy One... May she welcome us as our mother at the hour of our passing to lead us to her son, Jesus, in paradise.” Pg. 644, #2677 |
It is imperative that you know whether these statements are from God or merely traditions of men. Therefore, we will examine each statement:
- Asking Mary to pray for us: A tradition of men, not found in the Bible.
- Mother of Mercy: Another tradition of men.
- Mary is the All Holy One: A tradition of men. We've already shown that God is the only “All Holy One.”
- Mary welcomes us at death: A tradition of men, not taught in the Bible.
- Mary leads us to Jesus: Another tradition of men, not found in God's Word.
Please understand, Catholic friend, God never said any of these things. They are all traditions that came from the minds of early Catholic leaders:
| “From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of `Mother of God,' to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs...” Pg. 253, #971 |
That people should pray to Mary in their times of trouble is another tradition of men concocted by Catholic leaders of the past and handed down to Catholics today. Never does Jesus or anyone else in the Bible instruct people to pray to Mary.
Who should we pray to?
The Bible directly contradicts the Catechism by directing people to pray to God alone:
| “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and
shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah
33:3
“And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Psalm 50:15 |
When trouble comes, call upon God, not Mary:
| “Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer... In the day of my trouble
I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.”
Psalm 86:6, 7
“He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.” Psalm 91:15 |
Literally hundreds of Scriptures teach us to flee to God when trouble comes our way. Not a single verse encourages us to pray to Mary:
| “But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he
is their strength in the time of trouble.” Psalm 37:39
“O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.” Isaiah 33:2 “Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.” Psalm 41:1 |
Should you cast your burdens on Mary?
| “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22 |
King David prayed all through the day... to God:
| “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Psalm 55:17 |
The psalmist proclaimed:
| “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” Psalm 145:18 |
In the New Testament we read:
| “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6 |
Who will you pray to?
God's Word says pray to God. Catholicism would rather have you pray to Mary. Again, one must wonder why the Catechism demotes Jesus and exalts Mary. It seems the Catholic church does not want its members going to Jesus for anything. Yet, Jesus issued this invitation:
| “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 |
Either the Bible is wrong, or Catholicism is keeping you away from the One who is ready and willing to meet your every need.
Conclusion
Here is another critical decision you must make. Will you follow the Catholic traditions of men and pray to Mary?
Or will you obey the Holy Scriptures and direct your prayers to God?
| “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.” Psalm 55:16 |
Understanding Roman Catholicism © 1995 by Rick Jones
