That makes logical sense.
But I don't know if it's germane to this particular discussion, since I gather there's nobody here who doesn't think it's "Biblically okay for a layperson to pray directly to God."
Did I miss soemthing? (It's always possible...)
So I think this particular discussion probably revolves around whether it was a designated liturgical blessing, or on the other hand, an ordinary blessing such as anyone could do. As I said elsewhere, I can't give the nuptial blessing given by the priest or deacon at the Sacrament of Matrimony, but I can certainly say "God bless you 10,000 times!" or any other blessing I feel needs to be said!
BTW, my Confirmation Name, Benedicta, is by happy coincidence a pun in Latin: it means both "Blessed" and "Well spoken" ...Bene-dicta. :o) .. a hopeful thought!
Well said, Benedicta! It fits!
To be clearer about my above wording, perhaps it's not a matter of whether people think it's Biblically okay to pray individually; but whether they actually take up the personal responsibility to be in prayer, rather than a passive desire to be prayed for by officials an in official capacities, taking a sense of righteousness from endorsing all the technicalities that go with officialdom, without the humility and vulnerability that come with deep conversion to Christ.
I think I may have said this to you before, but I estimate the average number of true converts to Christ in any RC or P/E congregation at about 10%. The rest are going through the motions. Better to go through the motions there than at a gym or tavern, I guess.