Jesus teaches that we are to take our concerns directly to God the father. God is the source for all. Jesus did not teach to pray to Mary, or to the Angels, or to the Apostles or anyone or anything else.
Praying to anyone else, even Mary, is second best at best, and at worst, puts an emphasis on Mary that borders on worship and reverence as a god. Paul teaches us to pray FOR one another, not TO one another.
To believe that conducting a ritualized prayer (hail Marys, prayers to saints, etc.) can evoke, communicate with, derive power from, or alter earthly events in any way, by calling on those long dead, does not in any way resemble the Lord’s prayer and Jesus teaching on prayer. In fact, it far more resembles sorcery in that it calls upon spirits to do one’s bidding.
Well then how do you interpret these writings:
1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
1 Thessalonians 5:25 Brothers, pray for us.
Paul wrote these passages after Jesus’ resurrection. Are you saying that Paul didn’t have a good understanding of the proper way to pray? Paul does NOT ask us to only pray for one another. He also, based on Thessalonians, believes that it is OK to ask others to pray for us. This is a prayer in itself.
Do you know the words to the Hail Mary? It is a prayer asking Mary to pray for us. It is not a prayer of adoration, which is due to God alone.
And in the OT:
Job 42:10 And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.