I asked a question just a little while ago, and laid out some of my views, for wich people decided to tell me I wasnt a Chrisitan. My friend, who is far right, will often say the same thing when we talk. And whether it is her, or people from her church she sends to my house because she thinks Im backsliding, they always finish with "I'll pray for you." Like I cant or wont do it myself. Does this bug anyone else, christian or not, that an assumption arises where they think you need prayer, when you neither need it nor want it?
2006-06-07 07:01:27 · 21 answers · asked by sweetie_baby 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I can pray for myself, and God will listen to me just as closley as the other guy, so no, I dont need it from some wholier than thou doorknocker, I can do it for myself, and much more accuratley communicate my situation than they can.
2006-06-07 07:06:21 · update #1
If it bothers you that someone says they will be praying for you, first ask them what exactly are they praying to God for you about. I don't know what things that you do that seems to cause them to think you are or have backslidden. But I would ask them why do they feel the need to pray for you. (Of course as Christians we are to intercede on behalf of others, especially when the spirit leads us to. But it is not a good thing to always go around saying "I'll pray for you", instead they should just keep that between them and God. And when someone asks for prayer, then they can say that.
It is sad that it makes you feel the way you do. Have you sat down and told them just how this makes you feel? The Bible says if we have an ought with someone, we need to go to that person and get it settled. Don't let the sun go down while you are bitter.
Being they are your friends, I am sure they don't say this as a way of putting you down, but rather out of concern and compassion for you. I'm sure they want what's best for you.
2006-06-07 08:47:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, it does. I'm not Christian and haven't been for years. I don't remember doing that when I was a Christian, either. I always saw prayer as a personal thing (although once I realized that I had no spiritual connection, I didn't do it myself in the Christian way anymore). I don't see the point of telling someone that you will pray for them unless they ask you to. If you want to do it, fine, but don't tell me, because it just makes me sad that you're wasting mental energy doing something so completely unnecessary. It also just makes me think you're trying to prove that you're holier than me.
If you don't want to see these people that your friend sends, don't answer the door, even if they know you're there. They will go away eventually, and while it's not polite, it's certainly better than getting a headache worrying over what they've said, even if the only part you care about is the annoying "I'll pray for you."
Blessed be!
2006-06-07 07:14:35 · answer #2 · answered by Ally 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So what? Even if some people say that in an attempt to suggest that they are superior to you, so what?
God takes all prayers into account. He just might decide to act to prevent someone from backsliding, and it might not be right away.
Besides, we should always be in the habit of prayer. We pray very little, sometimes, and we seem to go through cycles where we pray and then forget to get lazy and don't pray for a while. Maybe this was a wake-up call to the ones praying so they don't backslide and get back into a regular prayer life.
I knew an elderly lady, a very fine Christian woman who was a retired missionary. Sometimes, I would ask her "Would you please remember to pray for me?" about this or that. And she would reply "Let's pray Now."
She is with the Lord now, but her words remain with me. "Let's pray Now." What a simple, but powerful, thought. The world thinks of prayer as a waste of time, but it really is true: we can do more after we pray than before we pray
So don't let it bother you. If it bothers you, pray for them! But don't worry about it. God bless you today and always!.
2006-06-07 07:11:50 · answer #3 · answered by cdf-rom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yep. I have some rather unorthodox views on religion. I'm not entirely sure what I believe, but I know what I don't believe - I don't believe in a god of any kind, and I especially don't believe the christian god hundreds of people have been trying to feed me all my life. I call myself an atheist, though there are elements of many different faiths in my moral and ethical codes.
and yet after I have made this clear, they turn around and say "i'll pray for you". while i know that for them, this is tantamount to saving my soul from hell, and my brain appreciates the fact that they care enough to attempt it, i'm a big girl now, and my soul is my own business, thank you very much. i'll do with it as i please and if i go to hell, then so be it. wherever i go in life (or death), i need (and want) to get there on my own two feet. if there is a judgement day to come, i want to be judged on my own merits alone.
and frankly i find it insulting that they expect me to respect their religious beliefs, yet they don't feel obligated to respect mine in return. I think next time someone tells me they'll pray for me, i'll tell them i'll kill a black chicken at midnight for them.
2006-06-07 07:18:43 · answer #4 · answered by gwenwifar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will pray for you too! sounds like you really need it!
I don't know if you are a Christian or not, that is between you and God.
but people say that because they care. and the Bible says that "where two or MORE are gathered in my name, there I am in the mist" they are adding to other's in prayer for you.
as Martha Stewart would say "it's a good thing"
2006-06-07 07:16:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can pray until the cows come home.
The difference in prayers, is:
some are heard, some are not.
Now. YOU being a Christian, I don't need to explain this to you. You have already read it and have knowledge of it.
I'll Pray for you.
2006-06-07 07:18:03 · answer #6 · answered by Mr.Potato Head 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry. Did I offend you? I didn't mean to offend you if I did. I did pray for you, but the reason I pray for people is because I really appreciate it when people pray for me. It is very encouraging to have people praying for me, so hey. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." So that's why I prayed for you. That's what we're supposed to do for each other. That's what fellowship is all about.
2006-06-07 07:33:27 · answer #7 · answered by bachlava_9 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not Christian, it does not bother me. I figure I can always use prayer no matter who is doin' the prayin'. I always respond with a sincere thank-you.
2006-06-07 07:05:38 · answer #8 · answered by Epona Willow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It bothers me, it makes me feel like I'm sick or dying when someone says they are going to pray for me.
2006-06-07 08:03:42 · answer #9 · answered by sparklingsapphireeyes 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well sometimes People (and IM one) have a problem Getting it through their Heads , we are only servants, and all We are recuired to do is TELL others , but it is Hard for anyone to not try and convience others
2006-06-07 07:09:12 · answer #10 · answered by tiqhud 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋