Here’s how it was explained to me when I converted.
by usaf_irish (2024-04-16 14:15:56)

In reply to: Well, some do, but they shouldn’t  posted by sprack

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We don’t pray TO Saints. We ask Saints for pray for us.

Thus we’re not praying to dead people. Or we shouldn’t.

But to a certain flavor of evangelical, it makes no difference as there are no Saints. Only Jesus.

Your first sentence is correct. As early as 3rd century,
by sorin69  (2024-04-16 15:13:06)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

there is evidence showing that the martyrs were prayed to for their presumed intercessory access to Jesus, since their martyrdom qualified them for instant exaltation to heaven. It's a corollary of the doctrine of the communion of the saints.