William,

A couple of things that may have escaped your attention:

1. It cannot be demonstrated positively from scripture that we MAY NOT pray for the saints.

2. I am not bound by sola scriptura, but in addition by the traditions of our 2000 year Church history. In fact, after the death of the original apostles, their intercession was immediately sought by the early believers, so strong was their belief that the saints were in Heaven with Christ.

We pay special attention to the first few centuries A.D. because the ministry and foundership of the Apostles were very fresh and recent, and the practices of the early church most accurately modeled what they were taught by the Apostles.

"Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen."

catholicsoldier <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/takethat.gif" alt="" />