In Christianity, particularly in Catholic and Orthodox traditions, Mary, the mother of Jesus, holds a special place of honor. However, the Bible presents a nuanced view when it comes to prayer, worship, and veneration. To directly answer your question about whether one can pray to or worship Mary according to the Bible, it is important to differentiate between veneration (respect and honor) and worship.
1. What the Bible Says About Worship
The Bible clearly teaches that worship is due to God alone. Several passages emphasize this:
- Exodus 20:3-5 (NIV): "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them."
- Isaiah 45:22 (NIV): "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other."
- Matthew 4:10 (NIV): "Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’"
From these verses, it is evident that worship, which includes bowing down in reverence, is reserved solely for God. Worship involves attributing divinity to the one being worshiped, something that the Bible reserves exclusively for God. This is a fundamental teaching that applies to the entire Bible.
2. Mary's Role in the Bible
Mary is greatly honored in the Bible as the mother of Jesus, and she is called "blessed" by many generations. Several verses highlight her unique role:
- Luke 1:28 (NIV): "The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.'"
- Luke 1:42-43 (NIV): "In a loud voice she [Elizabeth] exclaimed: 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?'"
- Luke 1:48 (NIV): "For he [God] has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed."
While Mary is called "blessed" and is highly favored by God, the Bible does not suggest that she is to be worshiped. She is honored as the one chosen to bear the Son of God, but even in her exalted position, she remains a human being, not a divine figure. Worship is not directed toward her in any of these verses.
3. Prayer in the Bible
When it comes to prayer, the Bible consistently teaches that believers should pray directly to God through Jesus Christ. Here are some verses that support this:
- Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV): In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray directly to the Father: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name...”
- John 14:13-14 (NIV): Jesus says, "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
- 1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV): "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."
According to the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the sole mediator between humanity and God. The Bible does not teach that we should pray to Mary or other saints as intermediaries. Instead, prayer is directed to God the Father, through Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
4. Veneration vs. Worship
The distinction between veneration and worship is crucial when considering the role of Mary. In the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, Mary is venerated, not worshiped. Veneration refers to showing deep respect and honor, while worship (from the Greek word latreia) is due only to God. The Bible does not oppose honoring Mary or other figures of faith, but it draws a clear line when it comes to worship.
For instance, the Bible records that even the angels, who are far superior to human beings, refuse to be worshiped:
- Revelation 19:10 (NIV): "At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, 'Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!'"
If angels, as superior spiritual beings, reject worship, how much more should this apply to Mary, a human, albeit one who played a special role in God’s plan?
5. The Example of Mary
Mary herself serves as a model of humility and submission to God’s will. Her response to the angel in Luke 1:38 shows her deep faith: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Mary’s attitude is one of complete devotion to God, not seeking worship for herself, but pointing people toward God.
At the wedding in Cana, when Mary speaks to the servants about Jesus, she says, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). This reinforces the idea that Mary directs attention to Jesus, not to herself.
6. The Biblical Perspective on Idolatry
The Bible strongly warns against idolatry, which involves attributing divine qualities to anyone or anything other than God. Here are a few examples:
- Exodus 20:4-5 (NIV): “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God..."
- Isaiah 42:8 (NIV): “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.”
- Romans 1:25 (NIV): "They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen."
Worshiping anyone or anything besides God is considered idolatry, a serious offense in the Bible. Even the most revered human figures, such as Mary, are part of God’s creation and are not to be worshiped.
Conclusion: Can We Pray to Mary and Worship Her?
Based on the Bible, worship is reserved for God alone. Worshiping Mary, or any other created being, would go against the teachings of Scripture. However, it is clear that Mary holds a unique and honored place as the mother of Jesus, and the Bible recognizes her as "blessed" among women. While it is appropriate to honor and respect her, prayer and worship should be directed to God, through Jesus Christ.
In Catholic and Orthodox traditions, believers may seek Mary’s intercession (asking her to pray for them), but this practice is rooted in church tradition, not explicit biblical instruction. The Bible consistently encourages believers to approach God directly in prayer, with Christ as the mediator.
Key Bible References:
- Exodus 20:3-5 – Worship is for God alone.
- Luke 1:28, 42-43, 48 – Mary is blessed and highly favored.
- Matthew 4:10 – Worship only the Lord your God.
- John 14:13-14 – Pray in the name of Jesus.
- 1 Timothy 2:5 – Jesus is the sole mediator between God and man.
- Revelation 19:10 – Even angels refuse worship; worship God alone.
In summary, while Mary is honored as the mother of Jesus, the Bible does not endorse praying to or worshiping her. All worship is to be directed to God alone, and Jesus Christ serves as the mediator between humanity and God.
