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Can Mary and the saints hear the prayers of millions all at once? Does this make them equal to God? In this video, we tackle this common objection to Catholic teaching by exploring key Biblical passages and theological insights. We’ll break down the role of saints and angels in heaven, how they participate in intercession, and explain why hearing multiple prayers doesn't require divine power. Watch as we clarify what the Church really teaches and why these beliefs are rooted in Scripture. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth faith-based discussions! #CatholicFaith #MaryAndTheSaints #PrayerAndIntercession #BiblicalTruths
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how can Mary hear millions of prayers at
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how can Mary hear millions of prayers at
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how can Mary hear millions of prayers at once a Catholic
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once a Catholic
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once a Catholic perspective one of the most common
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perspective one of the most common
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perspective one of the most common objections raised by non-catholics is
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objections raised by non-catholics is
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objections raised by non-catholics is the idea that Mary and the Saints can
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the idea that Mary and the Saints can
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the idea that Mary and the Saints can hear the prayers of millions of people
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hear the prayers of millions of people
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hear the prayers of millions of people all at once many argue that such an
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all at once many argue that such an
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all at once many argue that such an ability would require Godlike Powers
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ability would require Godlike Powers
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ability would require Godlike Powers something only God
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something only God
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something only God possesses however Catholic teaching
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possesses however Catholic teaching
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possesses however Catholic teaching provides a response rooted in both
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provides a response rooted in both
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provides a response rooted in both scripture and theology that addresses
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scripture and theology that addresses
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scripture and theology that addresses this concern directly the objection is
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this concern directly the objection is
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this concern directly the objection is Mary being made into a God in his 1999
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Mary being made into a God in his 1999
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Mary being made into a God in his 1999 book Evangelical answers a critique of
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book Evangelical answers a critique of
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book Evangelical answers a critique of current Roman Catholic apologists Eric
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current Roman Catholic apologists Eric
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current Roman Catholic apologists Eric senson presents an argument against the
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senson presents an argument against the
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senson presents an argument against the Catholic belief in intercessory prayer
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Catholic belief in intercessory prayer
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Catholic belief in intercessory prayer to Mary he imagines a scenario where
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to Mary he imagines a scenario where
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to Mary he imagines a scenario where thousands of people across the world are
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thousands of people across the world are
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thousands of people across the world are praying to Mary at the same moment his
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praying to Mary at the same moment his
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praying to Mary at the same moment his objection is simple if Mary can hear all
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objection is simple if Mary can hear all
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objection is simple if Mary can hear all these prayers simultaneously wouldn't
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these prayers simultaneously wouldn't
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these prayers simultaneously wouldn't that make her om missioned an attribute
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that make her om missioned an attribute
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that make her om missioned an attribute that belongs to God Alone this is a
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that belongs to God Alone this is a
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that belongs to God Alone this is a significant objection and one that
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significant objection and one that
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significant objection and one that deserves a thoughtful answer according
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deserves a thoughtful answer according
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deserves a thoughtful answer according to senson for Mary to respond to all
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to senson for Mary to respond to all
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to senson for Mary to respond to all those prayers she would need to possess
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those prayers she would need to possess
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those prayers she would need to possess the same all- knowing all hearing
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the same all- knowing all hearing
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the same all- knowing all hearing abilities as God but is this truly the
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abilities as God but is this truly the
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abilities as God but is this truly the case the Catholic response Revelation
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case the Catholic response Revelation
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case the Catholic response Revelation 5:8 and the role of the Saints the first
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5:8 and the role of the Saints the first
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5:8 and the role of the Saints the first Catholic response comes from scripture
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Catholic response comes from scripture
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Catholic response comes from scripture specifically Revelation
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specifically Revelation
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specifically Revelation 5:8 In this passage we see the 24 Elders
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5:8 In this passage we see the 24 Elders
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5:8 In this passage we see the 24 Elders in heaven human beings holding golden
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in heaven human beings holding golden
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in heaven human beings holding golden bowls full of incense which are the
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bowls full of incense which are the
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bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the Saints these Elders are
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prayers of the Saints these Elders are
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prayers of the Saints these Elders are shown as responding to prayers from
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shown as responding to prayers from
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shown as responding to prayers from multiple people at once the Bible is
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multiple people at once the Bible is
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multiple people at once the Bible is clear Saints in heaven can hear and
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clear Saints in heaven can hear and
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clear Saints in heaven can hear and respond to the prayers of those on Earth
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respond to the prayers of those on Earth
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respond to the prayers of those on Earth if we take this passage at face value it
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if we take this passage at face value it
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if we take this passage at face value it becomes clear that the Saints in heaven
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becomes clear that the Saints in heaven
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becomes clear that the Saints in heaven have been given the ability to hear
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have been given the ability to hear
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have been given the ability to hear multiple prayers
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multiple prayers
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multiple prayers simultaneously does this mean they
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simultaneously does this mean they
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simultaneously does this mean they possess Godlike Powers not at all rather
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possess Godlike Powers not at all rather
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possess Godlike Powers not at all rather this ability is granted by God who as
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this ability is granted by God who as
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this ability is granted by God who as scripture says can make all things
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scripture says can make all things
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scripture says can make all things possible Luke
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possible Luke
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possible Luke 1:37 the Saints ability to hear prayers
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1:37 the Saints ability to hear prayers
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1:37 the Saints ability to hear prayers is a gift from God not an indication
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is a gift from God not an indication
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is a gift from God not an indication that they are Divine themselves the
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that they are Divine themselves the
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that they are Divine themselves the ministry of angels more biblical support
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ministry of angels more biblical support
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ministry of angels more biblical support Revelation 8: 3-4 offers further Insight
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Revelation 8: 3-4 offers further Insight
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Revelation 8: 3-4 offers further Insight here an angel is described as standing
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here an angel is described as standing
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here an angel is described as standing at the altar with a golden sensor
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at the altar with a golden sensor
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at the altar with a golden sensor holding much incense which represents
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holding much incense which represents
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holding much incense which represents the prayers of of the Saints the angel
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the prayers of of the Saints the angel
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the prayers of of the Saints the angel offers these prayers before God and they
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offers these prayers before God and they
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offers these prayers before God and they result in powerful effects on Earth
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result in powerful effects on Earth
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result in powerful effects on Earth symbolized by thunder lightning and an
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symbolized by thunder lightning and an
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symbolized by thunder lightning and an earthquake not only are Saints and
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earthquake not only are Saints and
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earthquake not only are Saints and Angels depicted as hearing and
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Angels depicted as hearing and
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Angels depicted as hearing and delivering prayers to God but their
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delivering prayers to God but their
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delivering prayers to God but their actions directly impact the world in
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actions directly impact the world in
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actions directly impact the world in other words they are not passive
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other words they are not passive
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other words they are not passive Messengers but active participants in
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Messengers but active participants in
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Messengers but active participants in the process of intercession some might
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the process of intercession some might
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the process of intercession some might argue that the Saints and angels are
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argue that the Saints and angels are
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argue that the Saints and angels are simply carrying prayers without
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simply carrying prayers without
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simply carrying prayers without comprehending them however however this
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comprehending them however however this
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comprehending them however however this would contradict the metaphorical
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would contradict the metaphorical
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would contradict the metaphorical language of incense representing prayers
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language of incense representing prayers
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language of incense representing prayers for them to take these prayers to God
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for them to take these prayers to God
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for them to take these prayers to God they must understand and comprehend them
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they must understand and comprehend them
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they must understand and comprehend them intellectually following Jesus example a
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intellectually following Jesus example a
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intellectually following Jesus example a key aspect of Catholic theology is that
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key aspect of Catholic theology is that
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key aspect of Catholic theology is that the Saints in heaven follow jesus'
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the Saints in heaven follow jesus'
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the Saints in heaven follow jesus' example as Hebrews 7:25 says Jesus lives
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example as Hebrews 7:25 says Jesus lives
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example as Hebrews 7:25 says Jesus lives in heaven to intercede for us if we as
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in heaven to intercede for us if we as
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in heaven to intercede for us if we as Christians are called to follow Christ
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Christians are called to follow Christ
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Christians are called to follow Christ and if the Saints in heaven are made
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and if the Saints in heaven are made
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and if the Saints in heaven are made perfect in Christ then it stands to
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perfect in Christ then it stands to
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perfect in Christ then it stands to reason that they too would want to join
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reason that they too would want to join
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reason that they too would want to join in this
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in this
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in this intercession 1 John 3: 1-2 tells us that
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intercession 1 John 3: 1-2 tells us that
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intercession 1 John 3: 1-2 tells us that when we enter Heaven we will be like him
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when we enter Heaven we will be like him
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when we enter Heaven we will be like him meaning we will share in Christ's nature
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meaning we will share in Christ's nature
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meaning we will share in Christ's nature if Jesus is interceding for those on
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if Jesus is interceding for those on
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if Jesus is interceding for those on Earth why would the Saints do any less
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Earth why would the Saints do any less
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Earth why would the Saints do any less they see him as he is and naturally they
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they see him as he is and naturally they
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they see him as he is and naturally they want to participate in the work of
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want to participate in the work of
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want to participate in the work of prayer and intercession following their
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prayer and intercession following their
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prayer and intercession following their Lord's example does hearing millions of
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Lord's example does hearing millions of
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Lord's example does hearing millions of prayers require infinite power
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prayers require infinite power
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prayers require infinite power svenson's main objection revolves around
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svenson's main objection revolves around
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svenson's main objection revolves around the idea that hearing millions of
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the idea that hearing millions of
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the idea that hearing millions of prayers at once would require infinite
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prayers at once would require infinite
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prayers at once would require infinite power something only God possesses but
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power something only God possesses but
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power something only God possesses but this is where a critical distinction
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this is where a critical distinction
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this is where a critical distinction must be made hearing a finite number of
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must be made hearing a finite number of
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must be made hearing a finite number of prayers even if it's in the millions or
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prayers even if it's in the millions or
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prayers even if it's in the millions or billions does not require infinite power
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billions does not require infinite power
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billions does not require infinite power the number of prayers heard is finite
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the number of prayers heard is finite
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the number of prayers heard is finite even if very large and therefore does
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even if very large and therefore does
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even if very large and therefore does not demand omniscience or
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not demand omniscience or
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not demand omniscience or omnipotence consider the vastness of the
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omnipotence consider the vastness of the
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omnipotence consider the vastness of the universe
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universe
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universe we are a tiny planet in one solar system
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we are a tiny planet in one solar system
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we are a tiny planet in one solar system among billions of others the power
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among billions of others the power
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among billions of others the power required for a saint like Mary to hear
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required for a saint like Mary to hear
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required for a saint like Mary to hear the prayers of people on earth is
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the prayers of people on earth is
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the prayers of people on earth is minuscule compared to the overall size
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minuscule compared to the overall size
4:41
minuscule compared to the overall size and complexity of creation we are not
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and complexity of creation we are not
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and complexity of creation we are not dealing with infinite quantities here
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dealing with infinite quantities here
4:46
dealing with infinite quantities here Eric svenson's critique in response to
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Eric svenson's critique in response to
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Eric svenson's critique in response to this argument Svenson offers an
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this argument Svenson offers an
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this argument Svenson offers an interesting critique he points out that
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interesting critique he points out that
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interesting critique he points out that if hearing prayers does not require
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if hearing prayers does not require
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if hearing prayers does not require omniscience one might argue that God
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omniscience one might argue that God
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omniscience one might argue that God himself does do not need omn misss since
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himself does do not need omn misss since
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himself does do not need omn misss since even a large number of knowable things
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even a large number of knowable things
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even a large number of knowable things is still finite svenson's concern is
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is still finite svenson's concern is
5:06
is still finite svenson's concern is that this line of reasoning could reduce
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that this line of reasoning could reduce
5:08
that this line of reasoning could reduce God's attributes to something less than
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God's attributes to something less than
5:11
God's attributes to something less than infinite however senson misunderstands
5:14
infinite however senson misunderstands
5:14
infinite however senson misunderstands the Catholic position the Catholic
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the Catholic position the Catholic
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the Catholic position the Catholic church does not claim that Mary or the
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church does not claim that Mary or the
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church does not claim that Mary or the Saints can hear prayers by their own
5:20
Saints can hear prayers by their own
5:20
Saints can hear prayers by their own natural power rather this ability comes
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natural power rather this ability comes
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natural power rather this ability comes from a created light of Glory as St
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from a created light of Glory as St
5:26
from a created light of Glory as St Thomas aquinus puts it which God grants
5:29
Thomas aquinus puts it which God grants
5:29
Thomas aquinus puts it which God grants to the Saints and Angels it is through
5:31
to the Saints and Angels it is through
5:31
to the Saints and Angels it is through this grace that they are able to hear
5:33
this grace that they are able to hear
5:33
this grace that they are able to hear prayers not because they possess divine
5:36
prayers not because they possess divine
5:36
prayers not because they possess divine nature the created light of Glory a gift
5:39
nature the created light of Glory a gift
5:39
nature the created light of Glory a gift from God according to aquinus the
5:42
from God according to aquinus the
5:42
from God according to aquinus the ability to transcend natural limitations
5:44
ability to transcend natural limitations
5:44
ability to transcend natural limitations comes from a created Grace or light of
5:47
comes from a created Grace or light of
5:48
comes from a created Grace or light of Glory given by God to the Saints and
5:50
Glory given by God to the Saints and
5:50
Glory given by God to the Saints and Angels it would indeed require infinite
5:53
Angels it would indeed require infinite
5:53
Angels it would indeed require infinite power to create this light but it does
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power to create this light but it does
5:55
power to create this light but it does not require infinite power to receive it
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not require infinite power to receive it
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not require infinite power to receive it as long as as what is received is not
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as long as as what is received is not
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as long as as what is received is not infinite by Nature it is entirely
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infinite by Nature it is entirely
6:03
infinite by Nature it is entirely possible for Saints and angels to
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possible for Saints and angels to
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possible for Saints and angels to comprehend and respond to prayers
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comprehend and respond to prayers
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comprehend and respond to prayers without becoming Gods themselves God
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without becoming Gods themselves God
6:09
without becoming Gods themselves God remains the one and only infinite being
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remains the one and only infinite being
6:12
remains the one and only infinite being the Saints and Angels participate in his
6:14
the Saints and Angels participate in his
6:14
the Saints and Angels participate in his Divine Life through Grace but they are
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Divine Life through Grace but they are
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Divine Life through Grace but they are not Divine by Nature this Grace empowers
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not Divine by Nature this Grace empowers
6:19
not Divine by Nature this Grace empowers them to hear and respond to prayers and
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them to hear and respond to prayers and
6:22
them to hear and respond to prayers and there is no need for omissions or
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there is no need for omissions or
6:24
there is no need for omissions or omnipotence for this to occur conclusion
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omnipotence for this to occur conclusion
6:27
omnipotence for this to occur conclusion the reasonableness of intercession
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the reasonableness of intercession
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the reasonableness of intercession ultimately the Catholic position on Mary
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ultimately the Catholic position on Mary
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ultimately the Catholic position on Mary and the Saints hearing multiple prayers
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and the Saints hearing multiple prayers
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and the Saints hearing multiple prayers at once is both reasonable and Biblical
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at once is both reasonable and Biblical
6:37
at once is both reasonable and Biblical scripture shows that Saints and angels
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scripture shows that Saints and angels
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scripture shows that Saints and angels can hear the prayers of the faithful and
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can hear the prayers of the faithful and
6:41
can hear the prayers of the faithful and theology provides a clear explanation
6:43
theology provides a clear explanation
6:43
theology provides a clear explanation God grants them this ability through his
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God grants them this ability through his
6:45
God grants them this ability through his grace it does not require divine power
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grace it does not require divine power
6:48
grace it does not require divine power to hear many prayers at once it only
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to hear many prayers at once it only
6:51
to hear many prayers at once it only requires God's Gift which he freely
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requires God's Gift which he freely
6:53
requires God's Gift which he freely gives to those who serve him in Heaven
6:56
gives to those who serve him in Heaven
6:56
gives to those who serve him in Heaven by understanding these key points we can
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by understanding these key points we can
6:58
by understanding these key points we can see that the intercession of Mary and
7:00
see that the intercession of Mary and
7:00
see that the intercession of Mary and the Saints is not only possible but
7:02
the Saints is not only possible but
7:02
the Saints is not only possible but grounded in the teachings of the Bible
7:04
grounded in the teachings of the Bible
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grounded in the teachings of the Bible and the traditions of the church far
7:07
and the traditions of the church far
7:07
and the traditions of the church far from making Mary or the Saints into Gods
7:09
from making Mary or the Saints into Gods
7:09
from making Mary or the Saints into Gods it simply highlights the power and
7:11
it simply highlights the power and
7:11
it simply highlights the power and generosity of God's grace which allows
7:14
generosity of God's grace which allows
7:14
generosity of God's grace which allows his creatures to share in his work