[Forest Keeper]

When I ask any Saint to intercede it is exactly the way I would ask a friend (and typically in the same circumstances). A friend that I very much respect but a friend.

OK, I am much less familiar with the structure of an Orthodox prayer to a Saint. This sounds very different from the RC prayers I have been shown.

[Kolokotronis]

"OK, I am much less familiar with the structure of an Orthodox prayer to a Saint."

I think as a general proposition on a personal basis it may be rather less formulaic while on a liturgical basis more formal. As an example of how we pray for help to a saint, here's a prayer from the vespers for today's feast, which has to do with the relics of my patron saint +John Chrysostomos:

Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

The grace of your words illuminated the universe like a shining beacon. It amassed treasures of munificence in the world. It demonstrated the greatness of humility, teaching us by your own words; therefore, O Father John Chrysostom, intercede to Christ the Logos for the salvation of our souls.