Is praying to people right and in line with the teachings of Scripture?
Definitely NO. In the entire Bible you will not find a single sentence in which a servant of God prays to another person, including one who has already died. So why do Catholic churches so persistently urge people to pray to saints, the dead, the Pope, etc.?
Let's look at such a situation.
The Lord God rescues the Israelites and leads them out of Egypt. During their wandering, he speaks directly to Moses, who is later mentioned many times in Scripture as one of God's most faithful people. After Moses' death, the people continue to pray directly to God. The same situation is repeated with Joshua, Henoch, Isaiah, Jeremiah and others. All of these people, can be role models for us, they are so close to God, and yet no one prayed to them.
After a certain period of time on earth, Jesus Christ appears, who came to give his life for us. Jesus teaches us to always pray directly to God. It is worth reading the 6th chapter of Matthew's Gospel, here is an excerpt:
Matthew 6.6-9 "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. [7] But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. [8] Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. [9] After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. "
After the death of Jesus, the apostles and all Christians continue to pray to God. Many years pass and the "Christian" churches, influenced by paganism, introduce prayers to saints, popes, the dead, etc. belittling God's position and exalting their own and the popes. Prayer to the dead and the living, was practiced much earlier in pagans, which unfortunately gradually penetrated into Christianity and is still used today.
Prayer to God and man
Read about what characterized the church and popes of the time. What they were guided by and how many innocent people died, just because they gave their part to God and not to the papacy. And today they still preach hypocritical and contrary to the Bible teachings based on tradition. By praying to the dead, you are going against the will of God.
Anyone who has read the Scriptures knows that texts with direct prayer to God are plentiful, and all of them are addressed directly to the Lord, including in the New Testament.
Is God deaf to our requests and does another person have to go to God after death to present other people's requests to him? Jesus died for us, we don't need another guide.
Then ask yourself. Why, then, did Jesus suffer for us? Was he lying when he said:
Matthew 14.1-6 "[1] Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. [4] And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. [5] Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? [6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Remember that Jesus knows what pain and suffering is. God knows our needs perfectly, He is always beside us, no one knows you better than God. He does not need another person to hear your prayers. Do not diminish the role of the Lord and it is to Him that you give glory, bring your requests and prayers directly to Him.
1 Timothy 2.5-6 "[5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
Philemon 4.6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
