Think of it this way: The Holy Theotokos, the blessed Virgin Mary, is the MOTHER of God. Who better to ask assistance of when wanting a favor from the Almighty than His own Mother? Asking for The Holy Virgin to pray to the Lord for help for you is simply asking for some extra-special help from one that is closer to Him and has a special place in His Kingdom.
????????
So who in THAT scheme who is "the Father" of "The Father" ? I'm not being a wise guy, I'm serious.
Asking for The Holy Virgin to pray to the Lord for help for you is simply asking for some extra-special help
How do you respond to Christ saying "I am the Truth, the Way and the Life, no-one comes to the Father except through ME". ?
He doesn't ammend that by saying "through Me or my mom".
If that were to our advantage, I'd have thought He would have made mention of it.
I guess I don't understand "Intercessory prayer" in the way that you suggest.