I want to begin by acknowledging and truly appreciating your boldness in sharing the Gospel. I can see that your heart burns for the Lord and you are deeply committed to devoting your life to honor Him and live by His Word. Such strong conviction is not only rare but so very precious. I see in you a man who hungers for righteousness and walks alongside Christ. I too am a believer in the immaculate healing power of Jesus Christ. I believe his sacrifice is final and his mercy whole and complete. Through him alone we have access to the Father and through Him our hearts are transformed. God wants to draw people to Him, never push them away. When a heart turns to God, whether in praise, in pain, in confusion, or longing, can that truly be dismissed by the One who searches hearts and welcomes the contrite? So, when a soul, even with imperfect words or misunderstood theology, turns in faith toward the Living God, seeking His glory and mercy, can we not trust that the Holy Spirit intercedes “with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26)?
For Catholics, prayers like the Hail Mary are never about bypassing Christ, but about drawing nearer to Him with the help of those who are already radiant in His presence. For Protestants, a direct plea to Jesus is the heart of devotion. For both, the orientation is the same: Godward. Christ-centered. Spirit-led.
Now, with that being said I am more than happy to analyze this further.
1.The chapter opens with this...
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…” (1 Timothy 2:1)
This verse explicitly encourages intercession, that is, praying on behalf of others. Paul is urging the Christian community to actively participate in intercessory prayer, especially for leaders and those in authority, so that society may live in peace and godliness.
This verse affirms that Jesus is the sole mediator of redemption, the one who reconciles humanity to God through His sacrifice. But it doesn’t cancel out the earlier call for believers to intercede for one another. In fact, it assumes that we do. So, the passage distinguishes between Christ’s unique role as Redeemer and the shared role of believers in intercessory prayer.
2. “Contact with the dead is necromancy.”
Necromancy is condemned in Scripture (Deuteronomy 18:10–12), but asking saints to pray for us is not necromancy. Catholics don’t summon spirits, seek secret knowledge, or experiment with clairvoyance, they believe in the “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) and that those in Christ are not dead, but alive with Him. Jesus Himself said, “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Luke 20:38).
Also, as Jesus said in John 11:25–26, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die…”
Mary is not dead, but fully alive in the presence of God, body and soul. Her life didn’t end in separation, but in glorification. That’s why Catholics refer to her as “the Blessed Virgin Mary”, not out of superstition, but as a recognition of her ongoing presence within the Communion of Saints. Eternal life in Christ is not "death" but fullness of life. So, when we speak of Mary’s Assumption or ask for her intercession, we’re not turning from Christ--we’re turning with her toward Him. We’re saying: “Pray with me, Mother, as I seek your Son.” Think of it like this: if you ask a friend to pray for you, are you denying Christ’s role? No! You're inviting others to join you in prayer. That’s how Catholics view Mary’s intercession: not as competition with Christ, but as participation in His love.
5. “Cherry pick? Maybe they should to learn the truth.”
Catholics would say the opposite: they aim to embrace the whole of Scripture, not just isolated verses. The liturgy cycles through nearly the entire Bible over three years. The Catholic Church doesn’t avoid hard passages ever, it wrestles with them, studies them, and prays through them.
6. “You are lost in your beliefs.”
That’s a strong statement, and I know it comes from concern. But remember truth and love must walk together. 2 Timothy 2:24–25 reminds us that “the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” If we believe someone is in error, we correct with gentleness, not condemnation. In my walk with God, I’ve learned that He speaks in varying tones, sometimes thunderous, sometimes whispering, but always with love. He meets us where we are, whether we are bold like Peter, broken like David, or waiting in silence like Mary. And in every case, He calls us not only to truth, but to grace.
I believe every person who confesses Jesus as Lord and believes in His resurrection is made whole. That includes you, and it includes me. Even if we express that faith through different traditions, Christ is not divided. He is One, and we are one in Him.
I thank God for your zeal. I pray that your heart continues to soften, not in its beliefs, but in its capacity to listen, to love, and to see Christ in others. And I ask that you see the same in me. For truly, wherever two or more gather in His name, (even in different voices or tones) He is among them. This is our shared calling, and our eternal hope.
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