–verb (used with object)
1. to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to (God or an object of worship).
2. to offer (a prayer).
3. to bring, put, etc., by praying: to pray a soul into heaven.
4. to make earnest petition to (a person).
5. to make petition or entreaty for; crave: She prayed his forgiveness.
6. to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to God or to an object of worship.
7. to enter into spiritual communion with God or an object of worship through prayer.
–verb (used without object)
8. to make entreaty or supplication, as to a person or for a thing.
When I have discussion with individuals that tell me they are praying “to” a saint and I know the Catholic teaching is that they do not pray “to” but “ask for intercession for,” yet the individual to whom I talk does not seem to get it, it has nothing to do with semantics. It is in the meaning the person gives to it themselves. Thus, if my family member tells me they are going to pray to St. Anthony so I will find my camera, I do not feel it necessary to look up the work pray, because I know what the word “to” means, unlike the word “is” which apparently some in this country do not understand.
I forgot to add one other item to my post response to you. When I have had conversation with some people on this topic, they insist it is okay to pray to the saint and when I have questioned this practice was only told I just didn’t understand.
However, the problem is that I understand perfectly well and that is exactly why I do not practice this activity.
Again, it’s not semantics, but the meaning intended by the individual.