Topic(s): Prayer, Worship
Todd Clippard
Colossians 3:17 teaches us to do all things in the name of Jesus. This means we must do things by his authority. You may recall in old TV shows where a policeman would say, “Stop in the name of the law!” He meant, “As a duly authorized agent of the law, I am commanding you to stop.“ The same goes for Colossians 3:17; we must only act by the authority of Jesus.
Jesus never gave authorization to pray to Mary. No apostle ever prayed to Mary or commanded others to do so. Jesus prayed to the Father (John 17), and taught His disciples to do the same (Matthew 6:9-13).
Jesus taught that our heavenly Father knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:8), this includes the necessities of life (Matt 6:32). In Matthew 7:11, Jesus said our heavenly Father gives good gifts to them that ask Him. James said the same (James 1:17).
See also John 15:16; John 16:23; Ephesians 3:20; Philippians 4:6-7; James 1:5; and 1 John 5:13-15. These passages, and many others, speak of praying to or making requests known unto God our Father.
No Bible passage gives us license to pray to Mary. In fact, there is no reference to Mary in the New Testament after Acts 1:14, where she is only mentioned as being present with the 120 disciples. She played no role of authority in the church, and any reverence directed toward her is the result of the doctrines of men (Matthew 15:7-9).
