When an Orthodox Christian is looking for a role model, he doesn‘t have to look very far--all that he has to do is look to the saints. For the Orthodox Church, the saints are witnesses about which Saint Paul writes in his letter to the Hebrews: “they witness to the way that we need to think and live to earn our salvation.”
Praying to a saint does not mean that Orthodox Christians confuse saints with God. Praying to a saint means something very easily understood--we ask the holy person to pray for us. We can, of course, ask for the prayers of those who are not officially saints. In fact, we often ask our friends and families to pray for us in times of trouble or ill health. But we are especially interested in seeking out the prayers of those whose lives have been devoted to prayer.
The Church is a great society, encompassing the visible and invisible world. It is a huge, universal organization, built on the principle of love, in which each member must care not only about himself, but about the well-being and salvation of others. Saints are those people which during their life expressed love to others.
The nearness of the saints to God’s throne and the power of their prayers for the faithful existing on the earth, is obvious from the book of Revelations, in which the Apostle John writes: “When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.” (Revelation 8:3-4) The fact that these are prayers “of the saints” in Revelation 5:8 indicates that God hears the prayers of His people. The saints are role models who inspire us and heavenly intercessors who pray with us and for us.
Great is the power of prayer! Praying for another is an expression of love for others; and the saints in Heaven, praying for us, show us their brotherly love and care for us. The saints do not overshadow God and do not weaken the need to turn to Him as the Heavenly Father. Our Heavenly Father rejoices, when the saints pray for us and try to help us.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16
“But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” – Luke 22:32
“As you help us by your prayers, then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” – 2 Corinthians 1:11
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.” – Romans 15:30
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.” – Philippians 1:3