The prayer thing got all messed up didn't it. I feel it was an attempt to erect false idols and I think it worked. People love the tangible, what they can see. It is part of why Faith is so difficult for beginners.

I just had a conversation with someone and brought up how God shines his glory on both the wicked and the righteous. He allows Faith to work for all within his creation that were given free will. This is why the story of Christ is so important because it shows the path of least resistance. It is a path of tremendous resistance to the flesh (worldly, taught ways), but far less strenuous than any other path available for man to make. In walking with him you learn who to really depend on. It is beautiful, no matter how much it might piss one off to see what you thought was dependable fall off.

As you mentioned we were offered a prayer because we do not know how to ask for what we need. We often do not know what we need but instead feel that we have a hole that must be filled with whatever is popular or will attract more friends. This is false, and it is on purpose to turn people from The Father.

I do firmly hold that Christ Jesus was God in the flesh.

But yea, do not pray to the Saints. Jesus wouldn't even have you pray to Jesus, but to pray in his name to The Father!