Does the New Testament teach us to pray for the dead/departed?
My first response is, does it say anywhere in the New Testament that we should not pray for the dead? On the contrary, both St. Paul and Peter prayed for the dead. 1) Peter prayed for Tabitha, who had died. (Acts 9:40) “But Peter put all the people out, and knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to the body and said, `Tabitha, arise’ and she opened her eyes and when she saw Simon Peter, she sat up”. Here Peter prayed for the dead. Though not in the Bible, what would Peter pray to Christ at that time? It is easy to infer. He would have prayed like this – “Oh God, I pray for this servant of yours that is dead, that she may rise up for the belief of these people” (People’s Commentary Vol. 1 page 581) (Lutheran) This is not my opinion. I have quoted Luther, who initiated the Protestant faith. Throwing up on his knees, he laid the matter before God in prayer and by power of the Lord the miracle was performed. [People’s commentary vol.1, page 581 (Lutheran)] 2) St. Paul prayed for Eutychus, w
