How do Catholics justify praying to Mary when Jehovah's Witnesses believe all prayers should go directly to God?

 


✅ Catholic view: “Mom, could you put in a good word for me?”

  • Catholics believe Mary has a special role as the “Mother of God” (since she bore Christ) and as part of the “communion of saints” — the idea that the faithful on earth, saints in heaven, and Christ Himself form one spiritual family. Catholic Answers+2Ascension+2

  • So when a Catholic prays to Mary, it’s not worship of her (which is reserved for God) but asking Mary to intercede for them — i.e., “Hey Mom, please ask God for me.” LifeTeen.com for Catholic Youth+1

  • They’ll point to examples like in John 2:3‑11 where Mary “mentions” a problem (wine ran out) and Jesus changes water to wine — Catholics see this as Mary’s intercession working. Catholic Stand+1

  • A simple analogy: If you can ask a friend on earth to pray for you, why not ask someone in heaven? Mary is seen as “in heaven” and thus closer to God, so maybe better heard. Ascension+1

  • Another key point: They still believe Jesus is the mediator between God and humans. Mary isn’t the mediator — Jesus is. Mary is an intercessor. Catholic Answers+1



So: Catholics pray to Mary in the sense of “Mary, please pray for me,” and then believe God answers. Dark humor twist: It’s like going to your mom to ask your boss (God) for a favour because mom knows the boss and you forgot your tie.


❌ Jehovah’s Witnesses view: “No middle-men at the prayer office.”

  • JW doctrine emphasizes that you pray directly to Jehovah (God) through Jesus, and you won’t pray to saints, angels, or anyone else. JW.org+1

  • They cite scriptures like Matthew 6:9 (“Our Father in heaven…”), and John 14:6 (“No one comes to the Father except through me”) to show that prayers go to God alone. JW.org

  • For JWs, praying to Mary is akin to calling the receptionist instead of going straight to the CEO — not allowed.

🧐 Key difference boiled down

  • Catholics: “I’ll talk to Mary, she’ll talk to Jesus, Jesus will talk to God.”

  • Jehovah’s Witnesses: “I go straight to God, via Jesus. No Mary, no saints, no choir-intercom.”

🤔 Why do Catholics think this is OK (and not “worshipping Mary”)?

  • They argue: asking someone to pray for you is different from worshipping them. Worship (latria) goes to God; veneration (dulia) can go to saints, and Mary gets a special veneration (hyper-dulia) but not worship. LifeTeen.com for Catholic Youth+1

  • They say: “We’re still praying to God ultimately; Mary is just the intercessor.” National Catholic Register

  • They point to verses about saints/prayers/communion of saints. Example: “the prayers of the saints” in Revelation 5:8. Ascension+1

😬 Why JWs say “no way”

  • Because for them, “praying to Mary” looks like giving Mary the role of mediator or “middle-man” that only Jesus has, which they reject.

  • They believe it dilutes the direct relationship with God Jesus provides.

  • They see the Bible teaching you pray to the Father “in Jesus’ name”. JW.org


Scriptural vs doctrinal comparison of how Catholics and Jehovah’s Witnesses view prayer to Mary, mother of Jesus

🕊 Catholics — “Hey Mom, send a memo to the Boss”

🔍 Key Doctrinal Points

  • Catholics believe Mary was given by Jesus Christ to humanity as a spiritual mother: “Because Jesus has given us his Blessed Mother as our great spiritual mother (Rev 12:17).” Catholic Answers

  • They make a distinction between worship (which belongs to God alone) and veneration/intercession (which can apply to saints). For them, asking Mary to intercede isn’t worshipping her—it’s like asking her to pray for you. Christianity Stack Exchange+1

  • Catholics point out: “If the prayer of a righteous person on earth avails much with God” (James 5:16) — then someone perfected in heaven like Mary or the saints might even (they argue) have greater “intercessory access.” Catholic Answers+1

📖 Scriptural Passages They Use

  • Luke 1:28 – “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” (to Mary)

  • Luke 1:42 – “Blessed art thou among women…” (Elizabeth to Mary) Reddit

  • Revelation 5:8 – “The elders… each one had a harp … and they cast their crowns before the Lamb” — often interpreted by Catholics to mean the saints in heaven bring the prayers of the faithful to Christ. Catholic Answers

  • Hebrews 12:23 – “the spirits of just men made perfect” — used to support that those in heaven are alive in Christ and intercede. Catholic Answers

😈 Dark Humour Spin

So the Catholic line is: “Okay, fine, you can go to God directly, but while you wait, how about asking Mom (Mary) to put in a good word? She’s got the extension number.”
If you imagine God’s inbox is overflowing, a “Mom-ring” might just help it reach the top of the pile.

⛪ Jehovah’s Witnesses — “No middle-men, we’re going straight to the CEO”

🔍 Key Doctrinal Points

  • Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs) teach that prayers should go directly to Jehovah (God the Father) through Jesus Christ, and not to Mary or the saints. JW.org+1

  • They emphasise scriptures like John 14:6: “No one comes to the Father except through me.” As they interpret it, only Jesus is the mediator, and you don’t need “intercessors” like Mary. JW.org

  • They cite passages such as Hebrews 4:16: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace” — meaning believers have direct access to God. GotQuestions.org+1

📖 Scriptural Passages They Use

  • John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” JW.org+1

  • Matthew 6:9 – The Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father in heaven…” suggests praying directly to God. JW.org

  • Psalm 65:1-2 – “Praise Jehovah, the hearer of prayer” used to underline Jehovah’s role as the sole recipient of prayers. JW.org

😈 Dark Humour Spin

In the JW view: “Why call Mum when you can call the Boss himself? Skip the family group-chat and just dial in directly. No Apple-watch ‘ping’ required.”
It’s like: you’re in an emergency meeting with the CEO — you don’t want to go via the CEO’s personal assistant unless the assistant is the CEO.

🥊 Comparison Table

IssueCatholic SideJW Side
Who receives the prayer?Mary (and/or saints) asked to intercede—ultimately the prayer goes to God.God (Jehovah) alone receives the prayer, through Jesus.
Mediator / intercessor roleMary is an intercessor, not the ultimate mediator (that’s Jesus).Jesus is the one mediator; no other intercessors needed.
Scriptural basis usedLuke 1, Revelation 5, Hebrews 12 among others. Catholic Answers+1John 14:6, Matthew 6:9, Hebrews 4:16. JW.org+1
Critique of other sideMight say: “Yes, you can pray directly, but asking someone in heaven doesn’t add something weird.”Might say: “Bringing in Mary is an unnecessary extra link — the straight line is better.”

🙋‍♂️ Additional Notes

  • It’s important to note: Catholics still emphasise direct prayer to God is valid and encouraged. They don’t say you must always go via Mary. Catholic Answers+1

  • On the flip side: Some critics of Catholic practice claim that the scriptural basis for praying to saints/Mary is weak. For example, one site says: “The Bible nowhere instructs believers … to pray to anyone other than God.” GotQuestions.org+1

  • The difference often hinges on how one interprets the “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12) or the idea of saints interceding — vs a more literal reading of “pray to God only.”

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