Prayers for the Dead

Is it acceptable to pray for the dead? Yes! Let's look at the evidence from the Bible.

 

We shall start in the Old Testament with the second book of Maccabbees.

 

[Judas Maccabaeus] took a collection from [his soldiers] individually, amounting to nearly two thousand drachmas, and sent it to Jerusalem to have a sacrifice for sin offered, an action altogether fine and noble, prompted by his belief in the resurrection. For had he not expected the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead, whereas if he had in view the splendid recompense reserved for those who make a pious end, the thought was holy and devout. Hence, he had this expiatory sacrifice offered for the dead, so that they might be released from their sin

(2 Macc 12:43-45)

 

Now, let's move on to the Gospels. In John 11:42-44 Jesus prays for a dead man - Lazarus - that he might be raised to life once more.  This miracle is not an isolated incident. For example, in Matt 11:5 and Luke 7:22 Jesus proclaims that 'the dead are raised to life'. It is most unlikely that these miracles happened without prayer.

 

Jesus was not the only one to pray for the dead. In Acts 9:40-41 St. Peter prays over Tabitha and raises her to life. Further on, St. Paul commends the family of Onesiphorus to God on account of Onesiphorus' kindness to him. It is not stated explicitly, but it seems that Onesiphorus is dead. This would make St. Paul's commendation of him to God ('May the Lord grant him to find the Lord's mercy on that Day' 2 Tim 18) a prayer for one who is dead.

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