there were plenty to pray to in OT times
To what end? Sanctification was not available on the regular basis prior to the Church age.
Your conclusion simply does not follow
For people familiar with the concept of eternal life after death being like a treasure in heaven, which St. Paul longed for, it does. for someone with a tin ear for the Holy Scripture, -- I don't know.
Having life abundantly includes the afterlife,and the elect will judge angels, but the Holy Spirit also much details the "so great salvation" and abundant life for believers now
I never denied that; however, see above.
The prayers were given Him from God
They are "prayers of the saints" so they were prayed by the saints. You are ignoring plain scripture, and repeatedly.
this does not support praying to them
At a minimum, it shows that saints are cognizant of our affairs, and so it becomes reasonable to also pray for they witness to Christ.
YOU actually posted THIS??
To what end? Sanctification was not available on the regular basis prior to the Church age.
A vain argument. Sanctification was needed, and sought and to varying degrees obtained by men prior to the Church age, as seen by men such as Daniel, Job and Noah, David, Zechariah, etc., with the quest for such abundantly evidenced in the Psalms.
"In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. " (Psalms 138:3)
In addition, as examples of many Catholic prayers attests, PTDS is not simply for sanctification, but protection and help in temporal matters, etc. The very fact that sanctification and supernatural help was sought and obtained to varying degrees would makes prayer to angels a fitting and recorded among the approx. 100 prayers in Scripture, but there is none, and instead prayer is made directly to God.
"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved..."Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. " (Psalms 62:5-6,8)
Your conclusion simply does not follow
For people familiar with the concept of eternal life after death being like a treasure in heaven, which St. Paul longed for, it does. for someone with a tin ear for the Holy Scripture, -- I don't know.
A tin ear?! Rather it is an ear to hear what Scripture says versus Roman reading into it that which they desire it to mean!
Having life abundantly includes the afterlife,and the elect will judge angels, but the Holy Spirit also much details the "so great salvation" and abundant life for believers now
I never denied that;
Thank you for the clarification, and sorry for any misunderstanding. As you specifically used the word saints - not believers - which according to Rome (not Scripture) are only those believers in Heaven, and abundantly life as relating to the afterlife, thus it appears this is what the "abundant" aspect referred to. In any case, there is simply no evidence of them being prayed to, or even hearing and answering prayers addressed to them.
They are "prayers of the saints" so they were prayed by the saints. You are ignoring plain scripture, and repeatedly.
The angels was given the prayers as an offering to be made at the time of the trumpet judgments, not as a regular postal service that delivers prayers, which is what this text is used to support, and for praying to them and by extension, to saints.
Instead, what is taught is that believers have boldness to enter into the very holy of holies by the blood of Jesus, therewith to meet directly with God. (Heb. 10:19) You are ignoring what Scripture plainly states, and reading into it that which is not there due to a lack of any actual support for PTDS, and treat Scripture as something you can manipulate to serve Rome, and repeatedly so.
this does not support praying to them
At a minimum, it shows that saints are cognizant of our affairs, and so it becomes reasonable to also pray for they witness to Christ.
More is required for PTDS than saints simply being cognizant of our affairs, and nothing shows this except your eagerness to see Scripture as showing what it does not state, but at best may only allow for that, which still does not support praying to them.
The closest you can come to saints being cognizant of our affairs is Rv. 6:10, but which simply shows a query and cry for justice. I have no doubt they know the end is near due to the increased population in Heaven, and activity therein, but this is not the same thing as hearing and responding to prayers, much less advocating praying to them, rather than directly to the Lord, after the manner of every prayer to Heaven in Scripture and the doctrine of it.
In review:
1. In its multitudes of prayers, does Scripture provide even one prayer by believers praying to anyone in Heaven but the Lord? ? No!
2. Does Scripture provide any kind of supplication being made to anyone in Heaven but the Lord? Yes. By pagans! (Jer. 44)
3. Does Scripture teach us to pray to or call upon anyone in Heaven but the Lord? No.
"But thou, when thou prayest,...pray to thy Father..." "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Matthew 6:6,9)
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. " (Romans 10:13)
4. Is there any need for an Heavenly intercessor btwn God and man save for Christ? No, believers have direct access to God in the holy of holies.
5. Is there any insufficiency in Christ, from accessibility to ability to relate to man and make intercession for him, that would warrant praying to others in Heaven? No; Christ is uniquely and supremely able as the believer compassionate high priest, accessibly to all by faith.
6. Was any interaction btwn believers from Heaven and those on earth that of mental prayer to them, or a personal visitation? The latter.
7. Does Scripture actually show that the departed are given the Divine attribute close to omniscience, so they can hear and process an infinite amount of prayer? No; only the Lord is shown being able to do so.
I could go one but for time constraints. No other basic necessary practice has zero positive examples and such a lack of substantiation, and contrary to what is taught on who the direct object of prayer to Heaven is, and access thereto.