[Emmett McCarthy]

My small piece here on the saints thing is that, as Catholics, we acknowledge the "community of saints" and that from those saints we ask for intercessory prayer. And that is simply asking them to pray for us in a way that is no different than any other person asking his friends and family to pray for them. That even applies to the Catholic prayer, "Hail Mary", which is also a request for intercessory prayer and NOT a prayer to her.

[Global2010]

I would like to add that the Saints serve as our role models for out faith and daily living too.

Or as a non Catholic christian would use the term "Bible Hero"

[William Terrell]

I think your practices are dangerous when contrasted against the scriptures.

If you ask someone to pray for you, they are before you and you see them. When you pray to those who are dead, it requires an act of faith. One doesn't have faith in men, whether living or dead; one has faith in God and His son Jesus Christ.

Jesus made it clear that He was the only way to the father. You pray to God through Christ directly, not through some dead man regardless of how much that man loved God.

The whole point of the second covenant is belief and faith. You are saved thereby. It is scriptural that a righteous man's prayer avails much with God.

Go to God directly; it is your right and your heritage. To pray to men is idolatry through the act of faith it requires.

If you pray for intercession through anyone not God and not the Christ, you are in fact praying to that one and asking for that favor.