Conversely, how many times do you tell your spouse or your children that you love them more than life, that they are the most adorable, sweetest man (or little girl, or little boy) in the world? You're not worshipping them, you're just expressing your love. In the same way, when I call Mary "my life, my sweetness, and my hope" I am expressing my love and devotion to her -- not that she is somehow the equivalent of God.I don't see how you can call formal prayer and charitable hyperbole "the same."
If I am competent to make fine distinctions, am I also not competent to identify the lack thereof?