While I do not doubt that many think as MD does, it obviously does not go for everyone.
Prayers like that go way over the line in regards to merely asking the person to pray for us.
And that is the problem that I see with many of the prayers to Mary and saints that can be found on the internet and even on the backs of those cards distributed at funerals, for example. To many of them are not prayers just to ask for them to pray for people, but prayers making actual requests OF the saint or Mary for the departed saint to actually DO something for the petitioner.
It’s a privilege to pray for others. By praying to saints instead of asking fellow living here on earth human beings to pray robs fellow living human beings of the chance to participate in God’s work here on earth. The dead in Christ are done with what God had for them to do. It’s our turn now and it’s one way to participate in His work here on earth. He doesn’t need us obviously, but allows us that participation in His work.
How gracious of Him.
Participate in God's WORK???? Wait now, all our deeds are as filthy rags, right? We can do NOTHING, according to earlier arguments. Now all of a sudden, we're supposed to refrain from asking the saints in heaven to do anything, because that robs us here below of our opportunity to participate in His WORK???? No sarcasm is intended, just that all y'all have shoved it in our faces so often that WEcan do NOTHING, only Christ can do ANYTHING. Ho \w does this make sense? Next, somebody is going to tell me that I'm not "rightly dividing" the personal interpretation of scripture of all y'all.
Yes indeed!
The saints I ask to pray for me can respond via voice or email. :)