QUESTION ON ADDRESSING PRAYER TO ANOTHER PERSON RATHER THAN GOD

The Glory of the Saints

* In one of the groups I joined there is this question posted by a certain nbailey82 questioning why Jose Mari Chan [a renowned Filipino composer and singer] for stating that he prayed to Ninoy [the late national hero Sen. Benigno S. Aquino, Jr.] and the Holy Spirit while trying to put music to the poem composed by Ninoy to his beloved wife, the late Pres. Cory Aquino. That song is now the famous "I FELL IN LOVED WITH THE SAME WOMAN THREE TIMES" which is now moving a lot of Filipinos to tears... bringing memories of the love and sacrifices of the late Senator and his saintly wife Cory. Here is the question and my simple respond:

QUESTION: Why should you PRAY to Ninoy when, like you, he is just a created being, and more so, he was already dead. Praying to God is enough?

nbailey82 I think you should read your Bible thoroughly. Prayer is given not only to God but also to human beings and angels. Here are some examples from King James Version:

Genesis 19:2 Lot told the 2 Angels: "I PRAY YOU!"

2 Sam 19:37 Barzillai told King David: "I PRAY THEE!"

1 Kings 22:13 The royal messenger told the prophet Micah: "I PRAYED THEE"

So, Prayer is not exclusive to God as you are insinuating. Prayer is simply asking or requesting just like the lawyers telling the judge: "Your honor I pray this court to grant our petition." Of course, since God is the highest authority in heaven and on earth so the highest and ultimate prayer is given to God. But, it is not for God alone. The Sacred Scriptures testify to the fact that prayers are also addressed to Prophets, Kings, ordinary people and even to Angels.

Ninoy already dead? HIS BODY YES BUT HIS SOUL IS STILL ALIVE.

Luke 20:38 "God is God of the living and not of the dead' and it was referring to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who were all dead. For God they are alive.

Matthew 17:1-3 Moses appeared on Mount Tabor, talking with Jesus despite the fact that Deuteronomy narrated his death and that he was buried on Mount Nebo. Ninoy's body is buried in Manila Memorial Park but we Catholics believe that his soul returned to God and is alive.

Revelation 6:9-11 Those who died for Christ are alive in heaven

Luke 16:19-31 Lazarus and the rich man both died and buried yet they were shown after death as alive with Abraham who also died. The three dead person are alive and were talking. The rich was was even giving his requests [prayers and supplications] to Abraham and not directly to God.

Matthew 22:29-30 THOSE WHO DIED SHALL BE LIKE ANGELS IN HEAVEN...

Ecclesiastes 9:5 ... "The dead know not anything." It refers to the bodies in cemeteries.

but, ECCLESIASTES 12:7 "THE DUST RETURNS TO EARTH, THE SPIRIT RETURNS TO GOD."

* Jose Mari Chan is correct in praying to Ninoy because Ninoy is a good person and a man who died for others, for Truth, Justice, Peace, Freedom and Democracy. Ninoy is deserving of heaven and eternal life.