I used to go to psychics, consult with mediums, and my wife and I used to really enjoy ‘ghost hunting’ not realizing this was a sin. I’ve since repented of this and walked away from that dangerous practice. I understand that people who engage in this kind of stuff don’t think it’s wrong, and in many ways see it as ‘good’ just as I did; but according to God’s Word the dead cannot hear us, so who, or whatever we are consulting with, is not human and unlikely an angel of light.
For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.
I understand with scripture context is important and we should be mindful not to insert things into the text that isn’t there (eisegesis). But looking Deut 18:10-12 I have to imagine this also applies to invoking (calling up) even Christian saints, praying to them, or praying to our dead loved ones. To think it only applies if you’re not a Christian isn’t there.
There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass[e] through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For all who do these things are [f]an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you.
In all instances scripture teaches us that we are to pray to God alone with all prayers and requests. Not just some, and others to saints. I understand the idea that if they are in heaven that they are ‘closer’ to Christ and can bring their requests to Him and it carries more ‘weight’ so-to-speak. But this would also imply that their are prayers God can’t hear or doesn’t know about. Since all prayers are answered according to His will there is no reason for us to believe that the prayers of saints take any precedence over ours, or that they have any special powers.
Saints hearing our prayers would require them to have the ability to hear the prayers of millions of people at the same time, in our heads, and/or out loud prayers. I don’t see any evidence of this or commands to direct prayers anywhere else but to God in scripture. For this reason I don’t carry any requests to Mary, saints, or dead loved ones like I used to.
One thing that we can be 100% assured of is that we can direct all of our prayers and requests with confidence to God alone, knowing it will be heard. We worship a God that is omnipotent, & omnipresent and answers our prayers according to His will. Because of Christ’s perfect once-for-all sacrifice we have a mediator between God and man. Why would we even think we need another mediator for our prayer life?
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints