Praying for the Intercession of Moses? - Can Catholics ask for the prayers of those who lived before Christ?

            I do not mean for this question to come across as blasphemous. But from a brief skim of the Old Testament, I would answer this question in the title of this article in the affirmative: yes. However, it would be important to explain why this is the case so that our prayers be made with conviction rather than doubt.

            As Catholics we confess belief in the Communion of Saints, the men and women of the Church who ran the race of holiness and are alive in the splendor of heaven. We trust that the thousands over the centuries whom we seek for guidance, assistance, and spiritual care lived and died in Christ. We trust that those who proved to be true witnesses of holiness and perseverance hear us in our time of need and intercede for us to God.

            There is no question of the importance of asking the holy men and women of the Church for their assistance in our times of need. Further, it is strongly encouraged that when we need help with a particular something we ask the saint who has been entrusted with that something, such as finding lost things, curing ailments of the throat, or encouraging priests to persevere in their ministries, to help us.

            But it could be stated that the prophets and holy ones of the Old Testament might be overlooked as people who might be able to help us just as much. Though we do not refer to Moses as Saint Moses, nor Hannah, the mother of Samuel, as Saint Hannah, nor Abraham as Saint Abraham, there can be little doubt, as the scriptures attest, of their devotion to God even through the most difficult trials.

            Christ speaks of these people at length during his public ministry. He speaks of Abraham rejoicing to see his day (John 8:56). Moses and Elijah appear to him at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3, Luke 9:30). Christ mentions David acknowledging the true Lord in quoting the psalms (Psalm 110:1). And Isaiah, who could be considered the prominent prophet proclaiming the Messiah, is quoted at length in the New Testament by Christ (Luke 4:16-21) who himself acknowledges the prophet’s truthfulness (Matthew 15:7).

            In full knowledge of the devoutness shown to God by those who lived before God would become man, we can believe that these holy ones are present with God, accepted Jesus as Lord, and thus see him as he is. Though by no means perfect and often failing to live up to the Covenants they were called to, they too, as we believe of the saints, are people who are living (Mark 12:26-27). If Christ acknowledges them as integrally linked to His Father’s plan, it would seem fitting that we ask for their assistance too during our trials on this earth.

            To connect them more precisely with prayer, for example, Moses is described as speaking with God as a friend (Exodus 33:11). In fact, upon closer analyses, it is written that God himself took the initiative in speaking with Moses. Abraham too is noted by Isaiah to be a friend of God (Isaiah 41:8). He was listened to by the Lord before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18). Further, how incredible it is that God ponders whether to tell Abraham, a mere mortal, what he is about to do there, revealing a profound compassion and even respect for the man (Genesis 18:17-19).

Because of the many instances of intimacy between God and these people, I believe it would be in keeping with the Spirit to pray to the holy of the Old Testament when in need.

            A few months ago I felt as though I were in a lonely desert; unsure of where I was going with my life, like I had no purpose, and was very depressed in spirit. After making a confession, the kind priest told me not to forget that it was at his lowest hour that God reached out to Moses and commissioned him for his role in the destiny of Israel. It was in the desert of his life that God revealed his compassion, his might, and his care for this frightened Hebrew (cf. Exodus 3).

            With these things in mind, though struggling with the idea of it, I decided to reach out to Moses for help. I told him how I was feeling and asked if he would help me through this time of loneliness, confusion and lack of purpose. As it was during a time of great confusion, sadness and lack of purpose that Moses was headed by God, so I felt as though he might understand and intercede for me, the little and unholy soul that I am. Though doubtful of what I was doing, I soon felt consolation and a moment of strong peace. I began to believe that he was there, listening and sympathizing with me. I believe he would be there again if I were to seek his intercession. I believe he would be there for you too.

             If you have ever struggled with the above question and desire to keep these brief reflections in mind, I encourage you to reach out to whomever you feel could assist you from the Old Scriptures in prayer, knowing that they too were people who desired very much to walk with and be consoled by the Lord.