Prayer in the New Testament
Jesus taught his disciples to address their prayers to their Father in heaven (Matthew 6:9). He also spoke of approaching the Father in his name, because he is the one who brings people to God (John 14:6; John 16:23). The usual New Testament pattern is simple: Christians pray to God, with confidence because of Jesus.
Paul says there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). A mediator is someone who brings two parties together. For many Christians, that means Christ alone is the one through whom they approach God in prayer.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
What about asking others to pray?
The Bible warmly encourages believers on earth to pray for one another. Paul asked churches to pray for him, and James tells Christians to pray for each other (Romans 15:30; James 5:16). Nobody replaces Jesus in this. Fellow believers simply bring each other’s needs before God.
Catholic and Orthodox Christians understand requests to Mary or the saints in a similar way. They are not intending to treat a saint as God, but to ask a faithful believer in God’s presence to pray for them. They point to the heavenly elders presenting the prayers of God’s people before him as a picture of heaven’s involvement with those prayers (Revelation 5:8).
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Where Christians differ
Other Christians find that conclusion unconvincing. Revelation 5:8 shows prayers being presented to God, but it does not describe Christians speaking to departed saints or instruct them to do so. Scripture also does not give a clear example of a Christian addressing a prayer to Mary, Peter, Paul, or another believer who has died.
Jesus says that God is the God of the living, not the dead (Luke 20:38), and Christians across traditions affirm that those who belong to Christ are safe with him. Still, many Protestants believe the Bible’s repeated invitation to come directly to God means there is no need to ask heavenly saints for help.
Mary’s unique place
Mary deserves real honour in the biblical story. Gabriel told her she was favoured by God, Elizabeth called her blessed, and Mary herself recognised that future generations would call her blessed (Luke 1:28; Luke 1:42; Luke 1:48). She trusted God’s word when its cost and consequences were far from clear.
Yet Mary’s own response directs attention to God her Saviour (Luke 1:46-47). At Cana, she brought a need to Jesus and told the servants to do what he said (John 2:3-5). That makes her a beautiful example of faith and obedience. Whether to ask for her intercession is a matter where sincere Christians disagree, so it is wise to act with charity and follow the clearest biblical teaching: bring your needs openly to God through Christ.
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.