???
But we're so often told that Catholics do not pray to Mary, and yet here you are, doing just that.
In fact, even your tag makes that grave error...
"(I love all Protestants, and pray that Mary will soften their hearts and open their eyes to the truth)"
Praying to Mary to soften Protestant hearts? The Bible tells us that is the work and office and responsibility and joy of the Holy Spirit to do exactly that. And yet here you are giving over the work of the Holy Spirit to Mary, a now-deceased creature who was just as fallen as you and me.
Nowhere in Scripture are we told to pray to anyone other than the Triune God alone.
And here you are praying for Mary to fulfill the purpose of the Holy Spirit.
Incredible. Read the Bible and learn the truth.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God... For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." -- 1 Corinthians 2:10-12;16
"Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." -- 1 John 4:13-15"But God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Years ago I read that as much as anything else he did or wrote, Calvin re-asserted the truth of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christ's flock which had been all but extinguished by the RCC. Sadly, after years on this forum, it's clear that same obscuring and nullifying of the work of the Holy Spirit continues on through the teachings of Rome to this day.
Did you know that "pray" also means "to ask?"
v., prayed, pray·ing, prays.
v.intr.
1. To utter or address a prayer or prayers to God, a god, or another object of worship.
2. To make a fervent request or entreaty.
v.tr.
1. To utter or say a prayer or prayers to; address by prayer.
2. To ask (someone) imploringly; beseech. Now often used elliptically for I pray you to introduce a request or entreaty: Pray be careful.
3. To make a devout or earnest request for: I pray your permission to speak.
4. To move or bring by prayer or entreaty.
[Middle English preien, from Old French preier, from Latin precārī, from precē, pl. of *prex, prayer.]
Were in Scripture are we told not to pray to anyone other than God?