Salvation, the people I ask to pray for me are in my physical presence and hear me. I know this because they answer, “Sure”.
Their are a great many translations of the Holy Scriptures. On my computer, I have 15-20. None of the translations command Christians to ask departed Christians to pray for them. None claim special access or powers to departed Christians. None say they can hear you, if you talk to them.
If this is such an important thing to God, why would he not have commanded it or shown 1st century Christians doing it or provided a record during the first 100 years of the church that demonstrated it?
It is simply an argument from later history that assumes things the Scripture never says or implies. In short, it isn’t from the Apostles Tradition, but was added much later. If that is good enough for you to believe it, you must be convinced in your own mind.
It is far better to go to the One who has all Power and Authority, who has commanded us to ASK IN HIS NAME.
Amen ...
If you are having trouble following the logic of Catholic mysticism ... take a couple of advil ... it lessens the pain.
The Saints hear you too. They are alive.
Yes, bodies die, but souls remain alive and travel to heaven, hell or purgatory.