There is no intention or desire to give them that worship which is due to
God alone.
Third objection: “Nevertheless, there is only one mediator between
God and man, Jesus Christ!”
The most common Protestant objection to the intercession of the saints is
that it diminishes the intercessory role of Christ who is the “one mediator
between God and men” (1 Tim. 2:5). Understood properly, Christ is the one
mediator of redemption, for there is no other name under heaven by which
man is saved. Nevertheless, this does not prevent others from acting as
intercessors of prayer. For in the same verse to St. Timothy, St. Paul says,
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high
positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful
in every way. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our
Savior” (2:1-3). Christian intercessory prayer is only possible because
Christ is the one mediator who allows us to go boldly into the Father’s
presence through Him.
Furthermore, Scripture itself attests that the Holy Spirit “intercedes with
sighs too deep for words” (Rom. 8:26). The Virgin Mary interceded with
Christ at the wedding of Cana (St. John 2:1-10). Abraham interceded on
behalf of Sodom and Gomorra (Gen. 18:16-32). An angel interceded on
behalf of Jerusalem (Zech. 1:12). The “Lord accepted the intercession of
Job” after he had prayed for his friends (Job 42:7-10). Moses also
interceded for the people of Israel, asking God’s mercy and grace, for the
sake of the dead Patriarchs who were righteous:
“But Moses implored the Lord his God, and said, ‘O Lord, why does your
wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of
Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians
say, It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the
mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from
your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your
people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you
swore to them by your own self, saying to them, I will multiply your
descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised
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