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They are alive in heaven. Jesus said "He is not God of the dead, but of the living." (Mt 22:32)

Its a different kind of life. focussed completely on God, not on us on earth.

Where does it say that in scripture?

they have better things to do than to listen to us moaning and whining. plus they would have to be omniprescent to hear all our prayers. plus our prayers would make them sad and there is no sadness in heaven.

Where does it say that in scripture

Yes there is.

And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints (Rev 5:8)

NOTHING here says the prayers were prayed TO the elders.

Who do you think they were prayed to if the elders are presenting them to God?

Why would prayers to God need presenting to God? Couldn't he hear them himself

And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God. (Rev 8:3-4)

see above.

see above

Moreover, asking Saints to intercede for us is a teaching of Jesus.
In Lk 16:19-31 Jesus tells us the story of Lazarus and the rich man (traditionally known as Dives) both of whom have died. Dives is in torment and makes two requests of Abraham (long dead). Abraham turns down both requests. The second one is particularly interesting. He asks Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to warn his brothers, something surely only God could do. Abraham turns down his request because 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.' (vs 19). Abraham does not say he could not so this but only that it would be futile. 


context. the rich man was in hell, not on earth.

So? The principle is that requests are being made to a saint that is not on earth and who can hear them and would appear to have the power to answer them.

you have ZERO evidence that we are told to pray to physically dead people or that the apostles did. in fact, this is FORBIDDEN. Plus, are you arrogant enough to KNOW who IS in heaven or not?

Where in scripture does it say we are forbidden to pray to those in heaven?

We know that the angels and saints in heaven are aware of what is happening on earth (Heb 12:1, Lk 15:10))

Heb 12:1 NEVER says WHO these witnesses are, so yes, they COULD be angels but dont say they are saints too as you DONT KNOW. Plus, there is NOT an official, infallible catholic interpretation of this verse, so its just your private interpretation.

Context, context, context.

The whole of chapter 11 has been describing the great men of faith of the Old Testament.

It then says they did not receive what was promised (heaven) apart from us. Then it says "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses" Therefore the witnesses are the men of fatith of the OT and those who have gone to heaven from among us.

We also know that they can present our prayers to God (see Rev 5:8, 8:3-4 above).

TEN hail marys to ONE our father!

game, set and match.