Should you pray to Mary or the Saints? | Sam Shamoun

In this video, Sam Shamoun, Christian apologist, addresses a common question posed to Catholics and Orthodox Christians: Why pray to Mary or the saints when one can pray directly to Jesus? Drawing from Scripture, Church history, and Christian theology, Sam explains that Jesus Himself commanded believers to pray for one another, highlighting the principle of intercessory prayer. This teaching forms the foundation for the Catholic and Orthodox practice of seeking the intercession of Mary and the saints, not as a replacement for prayer to God, but as an extension of the communion of saints—a biblical and apostolic tradition rooted in unity and love within the Body of Christ. 00:00 - Pray for one another 03:04 - What is prayer? 03:53 - Why is Mary important? 05:43 - Honoring Mary in the Bible Sam Shamoun emphasizes that those who have entered heaven are not dead, but more alive than ever, fully united with Christ and capable of interceding powerfully for those on earth. He explains that the early Church upheld the practice of honoring Mary, the Mother of God, and asking for the prayers of the saints, seeing them as part of the ongoing spiritual battle and the heavenly family of God. This discussion is deeply relevant to Christian apologetics, doctrinal clarity, and ecumenical dialogue, offering a rich exploration of topics like intercession, the communion of saints, biblical support for praying to saints, and the continuity of faith from the early Church to modern Catholic and Orthodox traditions.