[kawaii]

(Noting that I haven't used any scripted prayers for praying to Mary since Catholic school, before I was baptised/became Orthodox)

When I ask any Saint to intercede it is exactly the way I would ask a freind (and typically in the same circumstances). A freind that I very much respect but a friend.

[Kolokotronis]

"(Noting that I haven't used any scripted prayers for praying to Mary since Catholic school, before I was baptised/became Orthodox)"

Well, I still say two from my Catholic school days, the Hail Mary and the Hail Holy Queen. Both of those are pretty clear that one is asking her to advocate for us before Christ. However...FK tell Kawaii and me what you think of this particular response which we use in various supplicatory canons to the Mother of God, "Most Holy Theotokos, save us!" :)

[Forest Keeper]

When I ask any Saint to intercede it is exactly the way I would ask a friend (and typically in the same circumstances). A friend that I very much respect but a friend.

OK, I am much less familiar with the structure of an Orthodox prayer to a Saint. This sounds very different from the RC prayers I have been shown.