FWIW, when catholic and orthodox christians speak of praying to the saints, they are using 'prayer' merely as a synonym for 'ask' (think Shakespeare 'I pray thee', or 'bitte' which means both please and pray in German) -- and what they say to the saints you would almost certainly be fine with, if they were sitting in the same room.:)
It's always understood only God is to be worshipped, but his saints are loved and venerated and therefore often are asked for intercessory prayers, much as you or I might ask each other for prayers for some particular need.
What is interesting is this is a practice going back to the very earliest martyrs -- some of whose tombs have ancient 'prayers' or requests scratched into the walls, and/or written on pottery shards and dropped into crevices in the walls.
And only one teacher, and only one father. Yet, we all speak of human teachers and fathers as well. Everyone who prays on behalf of others is an intercessor - this is not taking away anything from the scripture you reference, but is simply using proper meanings of words.
Hmmm.... I have so many small talks with the One who is my Lawyer before the Father. He represents me before the Father. I know of the officers in Heaven you speak of, and have read of their venerable duties, yet I am only here to give my complete faith in my Representative so that I may know the Father hears and knows me.
If you pray directly to our counselor and Lord Jesus, I will join you. For Jesus said:
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. -- John 14:6
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. --- John 1:17
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. -- John 10:9
FWIW, when catholic and orthodox christians speak of praying to the saints, they are using 'prayer' merely as a synonym for 'ask' (think Shakespeare 'I pray thee', or 'bitte' which means both please and pray in German) -- and what they say to the saints you would almost certainly be fine with, if they were sitting in the same room.:)
It's always understood only God is to be worshipped, but his saints are loved and venerated and therefore often are asked for intercessory prayers, much as you or I might ask each other for prayers for some particular need.
What is interesting is this is a practice going back to the very earliest martyrs -- some of whose tombs have ancient 'prayers' or requests scratched into the walls, and/or written on pottery shards and dropped into crevices in the walls.
And only one teacher, and only one father. Yet, we all speak of human teachers and fathers as well. Everyone who prays on behalf of others is an intercessor - this is not taking away anything from the scripture you reference, but is simply using proper meanings of words.
Hmmm.... I have so many small talks with the One who is my Lawyer before the Father. He represents me before the Father. I know of the officers in Heaven you speak of, and have read of their venerable duties, yet I am only here to give my complete faith in my Representative so that I may know the Father hears and knows me.
Very good.