What Is the Difference Between Praying to Saints and Petitioning Spirits?

Prayer to saints is the equivalent of asking someone to pray for us and with us for a particular intention to God. This communal prayer recognizes that the ultimate decision belongs to God and trusts in his infinite wisdom and love.

“Petitioning of spirits” is the idea that the dead have some kind of power that they can use on our behalf or information they can impart for our benefit. This practice cuts God out of the equation and ultimately seeks control for oneself rather than submission to the will of God.