Asking (praying for) the intercession of Mary or the Saints with Christ is at least as important as asking for the intercession of a friend or fellow Freeper...except the Mother of God and the Communion of Saints live on now in Heaven in the presence of God.
But why pray to Mary or other Saints when we can pray DIRECTLY to The Lord? I pray for family and friends (and Freepers) — I pray asking THE LORD to save them. Mary and the Saints can’t save them. Only through Christ. And we have access to him directly.
So - - why pray to Mary or the Saints? When Christ taught the apostles to pray, he said to...
Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Matthew 6:9-13
So... where does He teach to pray to Mary.. or the Saints? He says to pray to the Father. And he teaches that the only way to the Father is through Him.
Praying for the intercession of Mary or the Saints is to pray a meaningless prayer — only God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit hear and answer prayer.
Hoss