[QUOTE=the raindog]
The short answer: Because they’re misguided.
The long[er] answer: In the bible record, God has delegated many things-- proseltyzing for example. But one thing God has always reserved for himself is prayer.
According to the bible, Adam condemned mankind to death through his actions; we inherited death and an estrangement from God, the same punishment Adam was warned he would receive if he rebelled.
But he did. Jesus, as the only other perfect man to walk the earth, came and gave up his perfect life as a “corresponding ransom”, or “propitiatory sacrifice” that lifted the ‘curse’ from Adam.
It’s because of this that Paul refers to Jesus–among other things–as a “mediator” between God and man, and says that Jesus’s action allows man to come to God in prayer with a clean conscience.
In what is commonly called “The Lord’s Prayer”, Jesus gives mankind and example of how to pray and shows that prayers are directed to God alone.
(Matt 6:9)
At any rate, the bible indicates that no where are we to pray to Jesus, but rather to pray to God, in Jesus’s name. IOW, we may pray directly to God, and end [appropriately] “in Jesus’s Christ name we pray.” This is because Jesus–through his sacrificial death—provided mankind a means to have a hope of life lost due to Adam’s sin. He can be called a “mediator” as Paul referred to him.
There is no biblical record anyhwere that allows for prayers to Mary, the saints or anyone else.
There is no biblical basis to Pray to Jesus, but rather the record indicates prayers are to be directed to God alone, through Jesus Christ our “Savior.” (as the one who “saves” us from Adamic sin)
[/QUOTE]
For further information on the “misguided” who Pray to Mary, I refer everyone to this eminent theologian.
God the Father is scary–read the Old Testament! The Holy Ghost is somewhat abstract–leave Him/Her/It to the mystics. Jesus was actually human, as well as being God, but some worry that he might still be angry about what we did to Him. Therefore, talking to His Mom might be the best way to get your message across. As a female, she’s fond of “makeovers”–so you can probably find a Lady who makes you feel at home.
The saints just increase your options. Who might understand your situation best? Who can “plead your case” with The Big Guy? Which image will help you concentrate? Here’s the “menu.”
As many will guess, I was raised Catholic. Many years ago, I realized I didn’t believe in God–but I find many aspects of Catholic belief admirable. So–excuse my levity!
So they are distinct enough that Jesus can pray to the Father, and yet unified enough that the Athanasian Creed can specify that we must not say “there are three Gods”.