How do you feel when someone says that they will pray for you?

Question

Do you like it when someone says that they will pray for you? Like if you aren't religious or don't believe in God, do you find it offensive or do you think that it's nice that they are thinking about you?

Answer

If someone is genuinely concerned after I discuss a situation or emotional vulnerability and asks if they can pray for me, or lets me know that they will keep me in their thoughts, I respect the heck out of that. Regardless of my personal beliefs, someone genuinely caring means a lot. I will always tell people they are in my thoughts, and they are- even on here, when someone is going through some ish, I remember that, and make an extra effort to show kindness, even if we fundamentally disagree on everything.

People saying they will pray for me to incite irritation because they know I am agnostic, or people who do it because they are concerned about my salvation or the like, irritate me. Pray all you want. But the only thing that is accomplished by that is annoying me. If you feel you MUST pray, don't tell me.

People who use the "I'll pray for you" as a barb during a debate to try to purposely insult me are in another categoey entirely. Not enough Legos in the world for people like that to step on.

Answer

Im not religious at all but if I'm going through something or my family is and someone says they'll pray for us then I take it in a nice way. They have faith and they want to support us and ask for help for us, how can you take it baddly? Everyone has different views and they're doing what they believe will help. It's comforting to know that they are thinking of
You and are concerned for what you are going through. We shouldn't look into it so much, let everyone believe in what they want to believe in.

Answer

I personally love it. Even if I don't ask but if I tell someone that I'm having a rough time and they say that they will pray for me I'm flattered. It shows that they care.

Answer

It depends. If it's in a patronizing way (I left the church, or I had a beer the night before, if you're gay) I roll my eyes. If it is sincere, like I'm actually physically I'll, then ok,.

Answer

Im happy you ask this question because I never really thought of it. Reading the comments help me to keep in mind about it. Im a christian and for now on I will ask before just saying I would pray for someone because it could be offensive. I respect everyone believe and I will not judge, thats not what I represent as a christian. But keep in mind you could always just pray on your own terms for that person, they would never know unless they ask or suddenly found out :) happy sabbath.

Answer

I am atheist so when people on here have said they will pray for me I haven't thought it was offensive or anything, while I wont pray for myself because I don't believe there is no harm in anybody else doing it for me if they think it will help.  There's been times where I have been at a all time low and often said aloud "if there is anything out there please give me a hand will ya".  Doesn't mean I will believe tho.

Answer

I think it depends on someone's intentions. If they don't know that I'm agnostic, or if they are genuinely trying to help, I have no real problem with it. 
If it is being said in a sanctimonious, you-poor-sinner way, I would rather you used something else to insult me. 
I will always be suspicious of those who offer prayers because my father's family is REALLY good at praying for us, but not one of them has visited my father (or my brother) in five years. Never mind doing anything actually helpful. But they really like to tell us they're praying.

Answer

You might not believe in God, yet! But God can do all things! 😊

Answer

I don't like it when people just tell me they're praying for me. It definitely depends on the sentiment. I belief that you should ask before praying for someone. It bothers me a little when people don't.

Answer

Prayers, to me, are not arbitrary things to hand out without consent. If a person has not specifically asked for prayers, positive vibes,  good juju, energy, luck, etc then do not offer or declare something as strong as prayer. Keep in mind that I don't pray in the Christian sense. As a pagan, prayers are a working of magic,  and one should never do magic on or for another without consent. 
Another thing that troubles me about unrequested declarations of prayer is that they quite often are used to patronize the recipient. Not only do I consider that rude to the person you're talking to, but it's also rude to the belief system as well. I feel like it discredits both you and the effectiveness of your prayers. 
Also, as a general kindness, keep any prayers or the notion of prayers to yourself unless you are aware of the religious/spiritual/theist stance of who you're talking to. Not everyone is a believer, and may not take kindly to casual theism.

How do you feel when someone says that they will pray for you?

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