[Houghton M.]

Why should I ask my cousin to pray to Christ with me for my mother-in-law when I could pray to Christ directly?

I do both. Don’t you? Mary’s a fellow believer in Christ. Indeed, she was the first to believe in Christ. She’s the first Christian. And she never stopped being a fellow-Christian.

Would you join with me in praying for my former student who’s having trouble getting a job. His name is John Paul. (No, he was not named after the pope.)

Thank you. Your and Mary’s prayers will help. Now I’m sure he’ll get a job.

[LukeL]

There is a clear difference between praying for someone who is alive, and praying to someone who died, so they can petition God for me or others.

Deuteronomy 18:11 - Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

For me that is clear enough.