I disagree. I believe in the Greek for Revelation 5:8 there's no "of" like there is in the English version: "which are the prayers of the saints". Therefore, an exegetical reading of the text doesn't assume it's about praying TO the saints. It could very well be talking about prayers BY the saints, probably still living.
And who are the saints? Tip: that's not decided by Papa Frank or his predecessors. Still don't know? Answer: in 1st Corinthians 1:2 Paul addresses the people in the church in Corinth as the "hagios", which is Greek for saints. I guess it's possible Paul was referring to Dionysius, whom the Catholics canonized as a saint. But "hagios" in the plural, then who else if "hagios" means saints-as-in-only-catholic-canonized? Obviously the saints are the average Joe Christians. So back to Revelation 5:8. Are we to pray to the average Joe believers who have died? If I die before you will you pray to me? Of course not! Thus Revelation 5:8's saintly prayers can't be about prayers TO believers, they're prayers BY believers.
To me that's fascinating! I'm a sinner, you're a sinner. We're all sinners. Yet God hears our prayers like it's sweet aroma He inhales as part of our worship to Him!
I think you said it best when you said that you don’t believe.
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
....
But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.
.......
The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.