As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, 'Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.' He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.
I want you to read this carefully, please. Jesus gives us clear instructions on how and whom to pray to. He does not, at any point, tell us that prayers from the deceased, even if they're in heaven, are possible. Prayer is your way to approach and speak to Christ, to get to speak to him and know him in conjunction with his word in the bible. The passages you linked are members of the early church and other brothers and sisters in Christ asking for other living members of the body to pray in their behalf. At no point do they ask the deceased, even those in heaven, to pray for them. At no point did I imply Mary was dead and gone, you're twisting my words. I have no doubt she is in heaven and holds a place amount the great prophets like Moses, Ezekiel, David, and John. But prayer to her detracts from a person's focus which should be on Father and his Son. I won't say Catholics are not saved. But their prayers to the dead saints and Mary amount to a modern form of idolatry because you're engaging in a personal conversation with someone other than whom you should be.
Froggy, you are a good person, and I do not think of us as enemies or adversaries. I respect your decision of faith, but I think you have a distorted view of mine. Catholics do not worship anyone or anything other than the Most Holy Trinity. From a Catholic perspective, saints are just living people located in a different place, and we just ask them to pray for us, just as if I were to ask you to pray for me.
Anyway, go in peace my friend and may God bless you and your family.
You too, brother
One thing you seem to overlook is the fact that Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life and no man comes to the father but through me... Prayers to Mary for intercession are a waste. And in answer to your question, asking a person to pray for you isn't the same as praying to Mary to get her to get your prayers answered. Mary has no way to get to God on your behalf. Not to mention the fact that Mary has no ability to hear anyone's prayers anyway.
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