Praying for the dead

Should Christians pray for 'people' who have died?

Ecc 9-5&6

5. For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

6. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.


There is nothing in the bible that I know of that gives us any instructions or indications to do that. Some religions encourage that, but that doesn't supersede the bible.

King David prayed and fasted for his child to be spared, yet it was not our Father's will he should live.

David's servants were astounded how when he received the news that the babe had die, he got up, washed , and ate. They asked him, how is it you were so fervent in prayer and fasting that your child would be spared, and when you heard he had died you act so? David answered while the child lived there was the opportunity to pray for his life and hope got his healing, however once he was dead there was no more reason to pray for h him.

Yes, we’ve been over this.

I must say I don't do that. They have gone but we treasure their memory.

Do you recall where that is recorded. I spent about five minutes searching but didn't find where. I do recall reading of what you refer to.

God always was and always will be and have heard of prayers for salvation of people that already have died before he even created the universe. It is God's will and desire for none to perish and would certainly at least consider any such prayer of salvation although the person in question has previously died.

“For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭20:38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:25, 28-29‬ ‭

To what end?

2 Samuel 12

Another wrench thrown into the works. Seems this verse is always to be considered>>>>>
1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Not that this matter would make one fall, but Jaumej's post seems to be right on about not praying for those who have died but David precedes the 'salvation' of the sacrifice of Jesus. Now maybe we can have hope that those who have died without having heard or known of the Gospel may yet have salvation and a prayer for them would be helpful and acceptable. Is this correct understanding?

Somewhere I got the idea which I think of as 'Heaven's Court'. Possibly from a Psalm or from a Spurgeon sermon. I think of it as we will all be judged by Jesus one day and that will be what determines our eternal place. Not sure what thinking of judgement has to do with praying for the deceased.

This is a good point. This is one of the deader of the dead horses.

2Samuel 12:16

16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and as often as he went in, he lay all night upon the earth.

The verses in John 5 don't seem to be talking about people praying for the deceased.

And to continue>>> 22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

In David's time there was no understanding of eternal life and these verses may possibly be referring only to the physical being. Or so it seems. Tourist's post seems to imply that praying for the deceased may have some recognition by God. Just struck me now about 'vials' mentioned in Revelation and might that come in to play?

Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

There was an understanding of eternal life then. Keep reading the story. David says the child cannot come to him, but he can go to the child.
Also Psalm 23:6 David says he will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

yeah no I was quoting it to show things changed from the dead being dead like they post quoted things changed when Jesus came the dead aren’t dead to him anymore because he died

“For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Just was adding this point the dead knowing nothing has changed

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
‭‭John‬ ‭11:25-26‬ ‭

so think that’s pretty relevant tonthe post I replied to hopefully it passes your inspection 😅

Just pass on by if you have no concerns with this topic. I realize some people on this chat have many years more of study and learning of Bible principles and if it is inappropriate for people which are relatively new to Bible principles and study by asking questions which concern them then maybe there should be flagging done by management or moderators so as to allow for various levels of understanding to be accommodated.