Introduction: If history is not important for the church why are so many books of the Bible historical books? From Genesis to Job all the books are based on History! Many of the prophetic books mention historical facts and the first five books of the New Testament are historical! And simple reading is not enough without realizing that meanings of words often change and come to mean almost the opposite! Conversation in the era in which the King James Bible was translated meant the ‘way people acted’ when I was young it basically meant ‘talking’ Now in some ways it means to have a discussion in depth! In my life time ‘gay’ has gone from meaning ‘happy’ to ‘homosexual – a perversion’ to ‘a normal alternate life style’. And poetic style unless seen as such causes confusion. What do you think it talks about ‘trees clapping their hands’ or being considered as ‘the apple of God’s eye’? There are daily things or people mentioned, but looking at it for August there are several interesting people and an event mentioned for August. One is a person listed on the 10th for St Lawrence, of whom I knew nothing.
Wikipedia says that “St. Lawrence (died 258) was one of the seven deacons of Rome under Pope Sixtus II, famous for his role in managing church property and caring for the poor. Martyred by roasting on a gridiron during Emperor Valerian’s persecution, he is a venerated saint, patron of cooks and the poor, and celebrated for presenting the poor as the church’s true treasures.” In the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition at birth every child is given ‘a Saint’s Name’. I recall one day when operating with an Orthodox anaesthetist being told that praying to ‘your saint’ is important and more effective than praying to Jesus. If I heard him correctly, he was wrong for the Bible says ‘For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,‘
Question: Is it even a possibility for people after death to hear prayer requests from people on earth? Are those whom we see after death as real ‘people’ in fact spirits who like God fill the Universe. Surely not! If you are on the north pole can a ‘dead person’ (eg St Lawrence) floating over the south pole see or hear you. What evidence is there that they can influence you apart from their historical witness? Why in the passage does it say that Satan came into the presence of God for a meeting and went out to perform his diabolic work? Also the messengers of God in the book of Daniel cannot be everywhere at once! The angelic messenger coming to Daniel said, ‘The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia’.
1 Timothy 2: 5-9 – First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.
Comment: The passage in red above has never been contradicted or altered or changed after Jesus was born! The portion in green may well be seen as open to discussion not as to the command to pray, but people stand, fall on their faces and in many different circumstances in the Bible!
Job 1: 6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
Daniel 10: 7-14 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. 9 Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”
Comment: Who are the most powerful and godly people who have ever lived on the earth (Jesus excluded) is your ideal to chose as your saint? – Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, John the Baptist, Paul, Mary? Are any of them now Universal spirits, are any of them able to hear prayers from multitudes at once, are any of them mediators between God and people? I am greatly challenged by the story of St Lawrence but pray to him? No! Only Jesus!
Acts 4: 11,12 – This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Prayer: Thank You Jesus that you stand as my Saviour, High Priest and Mediator/Intercessor with God the Father.