When someone say's "I'll pray for you"...

[MC Moot]

Or "you're in our prayers" our "we'll pray for them"...how does that make you feel/react?...the only person I care to hear it from is my aunty beacuse that's who she is and it's the same for her as saying "I love you"...but when it comes from someone you don't know do you feel slighted or offended?...as though prayer may be your only saving measure or grace?...I just finished a tour with some jesus sheep,it took me 15 mins to get them out the building once they did a spontaneous circle prayer for our centre and clients...and they came across as so condescending and higher than thou...anyway's you do you react when someone drops the promise of unsolicited prayer?

[Bob]

i say "thanks" but in my head i'm thinking "(but it won't do anything)"

no need to get into a random religious debate really

(i think in parentheticals)

[Waus]

I can understand being annoyed by the condescension. That's obnoxious.

Whether or not you believe what they do though, getting offended over the prayer offer seems silly. I mean, if they wished you good luck you wouldn't think that would do anything either - but you don't bother pointing out that you don't believe in luck.

For most people I think it's just a habit to say that anyways.

[roosta]

i take it as a sign that that person cares for me, and wants the best for me.

i don't see anything condescending about it at all.

[MC Moot]

I think I maybe religously selective to where it comes from as well...because if it were say a Buddhist monk or a Hindu guru,I'd probably be like "wow,that's kind of culturally cool"...but a preist,rabbi,imam or zealot...well that's different to me...:confused:

[MC Moot]

I think the next time this occurs my response shall be "thank you and I will hula hoop for you"...equivalence in relevance...

[Echewta]

Depends who is saying it and why. If they are praying for me because I'm not religious, cram it with a fist full of walnuts. If you are saying you'll be thinking of me i.e. "praying" for me because I'm going through a difficult time, thats cool.

[TOY]

I talk to customers who say they'll pray for me and stuff. Like water off a duck's back since it's said so often, and the majority are elderly and usually very nice/thankful you took the time to help them. But part of me wonders if they think I sound pathetic or have a sadness to my voice. This afternoon I had a man tell me "Just.. Just be safe on your way home." It made me want to cry! My friend just passed away in a horrible car accident and I was, like, FUCK!

[Burnout18]

its like saying good luck, its just something nice to say to someone

[TOY]

its like saying good luck, its just something nice to say to someone

Agreed.

[ms.peachy]

In 2002 and again in 2006, when I was taking care of family members when my mom had cancer and passed away, people I didn't know or knew only in passing in her area would say this to me sometimes. It didn't bother me and I thought it was kind of nice. For people who believe in that kind of stuff, it's their way of being empathetic. I felt they were being genuine and sincere, so I would just say "Thank you, that's very kind of you." The only time it would bother me is when it's said as a sort of expression of disapproval, for example, people who would say it to a homosexual, or a woman who has had an abortion, or something like that, when what they are really saying is "I will pray for you to be someone less like who you are and more like who I think you should be."

[Adam]

It was said to me a lot when my parents was ill. But I having a Catholic family and I'm now pretty much against Catholicism like a lot are when you grow up with that junk. But I always remember the line from futurama "yes, but is there anything useful we can do".

As long as that is all they are offering in non-practical help and they soon leave fine but if they started praying with me there and then or tried to get others involved then I'd be annoyed to. Because a better help would be painting the house, fixing a leak or leaving me in peace.

I fell out with a lot of my family when my parents are ill - one aunt even blames me for almost killing my mum. Man, I get angry and upset just typing that :mad: Anyway, religion is a hard subject to walk a line on and even jesus-freaks should now know not to get others involved these days.

edit: so maybe that is it, those that have been subjected to religion during childhood but have now paid the fine and got out probably get more annoyed by it than those who haven't

[Drederick Tatum]

Depends who is saying it and why. If they are praying for me because I'm not religious, cram it with a fist full of walnuts. If you are saying you'll be thinking of me i.e. "praying" for me because I'm going through a difficult time, thats cool.

exactly. praying for me because I'm a bad person? no thanks. praying for me because you want the best for me? yeah why not. I'll take a 50" plasma.

[Helvete]

I find when someone says that, they are being a bit high and mighty about themselves being religious and you not. It can be said with sincerity, but mostly comes across as patronising.

[MC Moot]

I think what struck me yesterday was that their prayer was more of a public spectacle, for their benefit as opposed to a sincere wishing of grace or well being…particularly when it began to take a tone of “these people are hopeless and if they recognize Jesus Christ as their one and only true savior they will be enfolded into the flock and bathe in the glory of his ever enduring light”…yeah,that’s a sure fire cure all for socio economic struggle…:rolleyes:...the other annoying factor is we had a Muslim parent in the lobby who already feels culturally and religiously isolated or uncomfortable…it was inappropriate grandstanding that benefited to serve their dogma only…



JESUS SAVE ME!...From your followers...

[Waus]

I think what struck me yesterday was that their prayer was more of a public spectacle, for their benefit as opposed to a sincere wishing of grace or well being…

Aw, geez. That's not right.

"...when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full."

[MC Moot]

I'll be the first to admit I'm the church whore and that I'll go to great extent to solicit and recieve fiscal donations to benefit the program from anyone,anytime,anywhere...but that trick was a bit much for $2300 bucks...