I completely understand what you are saying here. My point however was that folks did not pray TO Peter for something FROM Peter. God manifested himself through the Apostles.
I think maybe you are using a truncated understanding of prayer. In this case, it just means to petition, or to ask.
When the beggar at the gate prayed to Peter for money, he did not have any, so he gave what he had.
The disciples prayed that Paul would come over and help them learn the faith.
Acts.16
[9] And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedo’nia was standing beseeching him and saying, “Come over to Macedo’nia and help us.”
Simon prayed Peter to give him the HS. The answer to the prayer was "no’ because Peter could see that his heart was not right with God.
The Apostles had the power to bind and loose. I think you will agree with that.
He also gave them the power to heal the sick, and cast out demons.
[32] Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda.
[33] There he found a man named Aene’as, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed.
[34] And Peter said to him, “Aene’as, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose.
[35] And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
[36] Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.
[37] In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
[38] Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, [SIGN]hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, “Please come to us without delay.” [/SIGN][39] So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them.
[40] But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, rise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
[41] And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive.
This is a prayer of petition, they “entreated him” to come.
We don’t believe that the grace dispensed through the saints ends when they depart from this life.
In the next chapter, men are sent to pray to Peter for the house of Cornelius. It is clear they all understand He has been given gifts and graces from God, and they want some!
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BUT, my point is that many folks in this day will pray to, give blatant adoration to and petition Mary for things which they expect Mary to posess and dispense upon them at her will. This is wrong and it's idolatrous.
I suppose there are some wrong and idolatrous people. It is idolatry to adore any created being. However, Mary has been given great things by God, and there is no more wrong asking her for these that using Paul’s handkerchief or asking Peter to heal. The gifts are meant for the Body.
If you really believe that God has not given these gifts to people, then you are missing out on an essential part of the gospel.
