Riiiigggghhhhtttt. Sure you are. Let's look at some of those prayers "asking for approach on your behalf".
I venerate thee with all my heart,
O Virgin most holy,
above all Angels and Saints in paradise,
as the daughter of the Eternal Father,
and to thee I consecrate my soul with all its powers.
"Virgin most holy" ey? "To thee I consecrate my soul"??? To Mary??? Really? And you claim that's asking for prayers on you behalf? Give me a break.
Another one.
O Mary, Virgin most powerful and Mother of Mercy, Queen of Heaven and Refuge of Sinners, we consecrate ourselves to thy Immaculate Heart. We consecrate to thee our very being and our whole life: all that we have, all that we love, all that we are. To thee we give our bodies, our hearts, and our souls; to thee we give our homes, our families and our country. We desire that all that is in us and around us may belong to thee and may share in the benefits of thy motherly blessing. [http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=438]
Asking them to pray for you indeed.
Please don't insult the readers with those claims of "we don't pray to Mary" or "we only ask them to pray for us". Those prayers are all listed online for anyone to see.
Veneration is different than worship. Latria, is due to God alone, while Mary is due hyperdulia. When you study those two words, my post will make sense.
Additionally, your response implies she is given equal status with God. That is incorrect, for to do so would be a violation of the first commandment. To assume the Roman Catholic Church would promote the violation of the first commandment is both illogical an uncharitable.
Mary is to be reverenced above all CREATED beings (angels, people), for she was the Mother of Jesus. She provided of her own free will, the human womb, sustenance, rearing and protection for God made man. Hers is a role known by no other in the history of the universe.
Please also re-read John 2. People at the feast knew Jesus was different, special, and capable of miracles. However, they approached Mary, asking her for the help of her son. Does this diminish the majesty of Jesus? No. Rather, it demonstrates the people’s knowledge of the 4th commandment, and trust that Jesus will honor the request of His mother.
As Americans, we don’t have the concept of Queen Mother. In the ancient world, people would often petition the Queen mother, knowing her sovereign son would listen to his mother. As Jesus is perfect, and lived a perfect life on earth, he too did and does honor His mother. Should we do anything less than imitate the example of Jesus?
May you have a safe and pleasant Thanksgiving.