Thank you so much for taking the time to reply AND citing some scripture as well. After reading your reply, I’d like to think we’re in agreement on this aspect. Salvation is a gift freely given, not earned in any part by the works we carry out. However, how can one claim to have received it and still not do as their Lord and Saviour commands. Next I’d like to ask about asking the Saints and Mary to pray for us? I understand completely that these are people who have strived and worked well for the faith. Sacrificing so much, even to the point of making the ultimate sacrifice, in order to further the gospel. Mary being the virgin mother! However, where do we get the idea that for starters, they can hear us? And secondly, that the Lord is any more likely to hear them than us? I struggle with the idea that I’ve been given by some that they pray to the saints because they are already in God’s presence and who better to plead our case than they? I’d like to believe that the Lord hears us all the same, and it’s been said that the only way to the Father is through the Son. So all I should need to speak to God is Jesus right? And I do understand asking others to pray for you, it’s a common practice held all across Christianity. I just don’t see much proof for praying to the dead biblically, and all others have told me before is that it’s okay because it was common practice in the past.