The Hindus, do not pray to Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva or even Rama, Krishna or any of the Incarnations for their needs. They put forward their desires to Lord Venkateshwara, Sri Raghavendra Swami of Mantralaya, Ayyappa of Sabarimala, Vaishno Devi, or in recent times to Sai Baba. Also among the rural people, the local deity may be appealed to.
Similarly among Muslims, requests for help are not offered to Allah or even the Prophet, but to Saints who are buried in dargahs like the one in Ajmer, especially in countries with converted people of other religions. Of course dargahs are not permitted in Saudi Arabia, which holds to the Quranic injunction of only Allah being fit to worship.
In the case of Christians, especially Catholics, only the Infant Jesus (not the adult one) & his mother (at Lourdes of St. Bernadette fame) are appealed to in times of crisis, along with a host of patron saints for every conceivable problem & profession.
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