The Bible does tell us to pray for, and with others. Paul tells others to pray for him several times
2 Th 3:1-2: Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course...
My old man would pray to Jesus and God, but also to his mom and dad. I didn’t know enough at the time, and I wouldn’t have corrected him on it even if I did.
A pastor once said something like “And regarding praying to your loved ones in heaven. They’re up there with God and Jesus! Do you really think they are going to turn their heads from what is going on up there to see what is happening on earth?”
Also the promise that in heaven we will have no sadness or struggles. Pretty sure my old man would be pretty sad looking at what is going on in my live and the world.
Although perhaps not - as he knows how it turns out in the end!
Assuming that he is in heaven. But that is a whole ‘nother topic (do we go to heaven when we die, or only when Christ returns and creates a new heaven and earth?)
“The Bible does tell us to pray for, and with others.”
You’re right. Definitely. It’s a “big deal” in Christianity
And only pray FOR the living because it’s too late for those already gone. Their decisions were made while they were living. Believing that you can light a candle and pray someone in to Heaven is fantasy.
And only pray TO God, in Jesus’ name. Praying to a dead person, including Mary, is futile. It’s also strictly prohibited in Scripture, getting into the sorcery area.
Interesting that your dad would pray to parents. Like your pastor pretty much said, since there’ll be no sorrow in Heaven it’s doubtful that God would have anyone there observing what’s going on down here now. Talk about sorrow!
The Communion of Saints in Heaven are deeply concerned about events on Earth.