So, from the early years of Christianity, the principal way in which Christians have had fellowship with their fellow Christians in Heaven has been by asking them for their prayers.

The Saints must be fully conscious of the great volume of prayer which is being offered to them by their brothers and sisters here in the world, and they pray for all who pray to them.  And when our need is great, they who “..all truth and knowledge see in the beatific vision of the blessèd Trinity” (1), they learn from God of our particular distress and pray to him for us with full understanding of our need.

Thus when we ask one or more of the Saints to pray for us, whether our need be great or small, whether we be known personally to them or are one of a throng, we take a place in their intercession and receive God’s grace and power which that intercession calls down upon us.