“And if Protestants request intercessionary prayer from mortals, why not also request it from the Mother of God?”
Because “she’s dead Jim”
And we ain’t supposed to talk to the dead.
That’s why
...that is all
But death is not the end. Some of the dead are alive in Heaven.
It’s called necromancy. It’s forbidden.
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?)