There are many very nice and caring christian people I have personally met and befriended so this is not a stereo type or generalization, however, My question is; Does any believer actually realize that maybe not all people want to be told "I will pray for you?" That makes me feel like the person stating this is better than me and has a better remedy for a negative situation than I do. The truth be told they really do not, but I still feel as if it is a straigth up insult. Maybe the question could be asked such as "Would you like me to pray with you or for you" but this has never happened EVER. My question is for the believer, have you once ever considered this could come across as an insult? If not, WHY? Not everyone in this world has the same beliefs.
2006-08-17 15:26:54 · 35 answers · asked by rickcas06 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Wrong. No way is it an insult. If a person is praying for you ... they are caring enough about you to be thinking about you. Many ... don't think of anyone but themselves.
2006-08-17 15:36:25 · answer #1 · answered by Sam 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Hey Belle Coan........I personally think this is kind of twisted in a way! Of course, I'm sure you as well as millions of people already know that something regarding 'Pray for you' or 'Pray GOD will give you his help & blessings' take that as a VERY GOOD way. Definately would not want someone corrupt or anything near 'satanic' to come by & put a creepy vibe on you! I know there are so many type of religiouns and everyone has their own choice. But I really do believe that no matter what age, race, religion or culture the WORLD itself has, There is ONLY 1 GOD! I believe GOD already knows about our future. Already knows about the ones who are too easy to fall away and those who are not strong enough of a person just to say 'NO' or always try to keep GOD in their minds to help make any decisions. So NO, I do not take that as an insult. GOD is GOOD!...He has already shown miraculas blessings in my life and I'm very sure there are going to be more in my future! Sure, horrible things might be going on in the world at this point, but also, don't forget of all his blessings. Our lives really are blessed. It could be so much more worse.
2016-03-27 06:54:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it should be taken as an insult. I don't think Christians think they are better than the people they offer to pray for or that they have a better remedy. I actually think it's quite the opposite. A Christian offering to pray for you is basically admitting that they alone might not be able to do anything to make the situation right for you but they care enough about you to petition the highest authority on your behalf.
2006-08-17 16:11:06 · answer #3 · answered by lepninja 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, not everyone in the world has the same beliefs, but I can't imagine that anyone who said that to you meant it as an insult. If you don't believe, what difference does it make if they say they'll pray for you? If you don't think there's a God, aren't the prayers just useless and meaningless words, probably not even said out loud? Try not to take it as an insult, but as the caring gesture it's probably meant as. If it really bothers you, just tell them politely that you'd rather they not, since you don't believe in it. I just can't see the harm in letting them say it. Do you get this upset when someone blesses you after you sneeze?
2006-08-17 15:33:38 · answer #4 · answered by They call me ... Trixie. 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have never intended to insult an atheist in that way, although it has probably happened. I think you are missing the point.
We know that you do not share our beliefs...however, a Christian's most effective way of helping someone is to pray. We honestly think that praying for you will help you. We want you to feel the same comfort that we do.
If a Christian told you about a problem they were having, or about something that made you sad...would you do nothing? Would you try to help them? Christians happen to take their problems to God, because we feel that it is more effective than brooding over them. Please do not be offended. Every prayer I have ever said is out of love.
2006-08-17 15:35:24 · answer #5 · answered by hopewriter 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am a christian and I repeatedly tell my non-christian friends that I will pray for them. Almost always they appreciate the sentiment even if they don't believe in God.
In fact I just told a girl right now that I would pray for guidance in her love life because of some stuff going on. She responded with 'it's not worth it' which is her automatic answer which is a defense mechanism for her... but she trusts me with everythin going on in her life and knows I care about her.
If anyone gets offended by my telling them I will pray for them, that's THEIR fault because I'm doing a service for them. It's not like I'm shoving my religion down their throats, or that my praying for them will ever somehow have an adverse effect.
In no way shape or form am I acting like I'm better than her, and she knows I'm looking out for her. I would expect all human beings to understand that... especially when told that phrase by a good friend.
2006-08-17 15:34:36 · answer #6 · answered by kenny_the_bomb 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'm a Christian and I understand your sense of 'insult'... too many so-called Christians have all the tact of a bulldozer... and the really pathetic thing, is that they're deluded enough to think they are being "subtle" when in fact their "condescension" is transparent!
Here's a transcript of my answer to one such "Howdy Doodie proselytizer" today below (maybe you can help some idiot taking the wrong approach what kind of disservice he/she is doing in the name of his/her Lord:
I love Jesus and the stories that relate to His life, but I don't believe Yahoo! Q&A is the proper venue to be "witnessing your faith." There are too many proud atheists here that only get their "shackels up" when they read the prostelitizations from "Campus Crusaders" such as yourself. It's like hearing a grandstanding "born-again" speak down to the "unsaved." There's no greater sactimonious "church person" than a reformed whore! Please save your pontifications for Sunday School... while I don't doubt your faith & committment to our Lord, you are doing more harm than good in an environment such as this. Frankly, you (et.al.) are an embarassment to those of us who are trying to work our more "subtle tactics" behind the scenes. ALL Christians would do well to worry LESS about "talking the talk" and MORE about "walking the walk." And I'm NOT saying you need to be "reticent" about your beliefs, just not so "GOOFY-ON-A-STICK," "out there" like a sore thumb "cornball." It's like "Howdy Doodie" preaching... do you catch my "gestalt" here? I hope so.
I'm just sayin'... Please! I beseech you! Cease & Desist!
2006-08-17 15:57:21 · answer #7 · answered by cherodman4u 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am a christian, and have also been told in situations that I think I am better than someone because of my actions in certain situations. I am trying to be a christian that shines her light, and would not purposely offend anyone. I have said that same thing to people and I am now wondering if I might have offended anyone. I just know I have tried to get through tough times alone and it never works for me without the Lord. I can't get through anything without his help, so the christian offering you a prayer probably just shares you dilema and takes it to one that can help.
2006-08-17 15:50:02 · answer #8 · answered by angela d 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you are seeing it the wrong way. If I hear someone say, "Well, I will pray for you." I see it as meaning that they are focusing on that for you, and including that in their prayers. It is more like telling you that they are thinking of you, and want to help you. By praying about it, they are giving it to the ONE they believe can handle it better than anyone else.
2006-08-17 15:40:05 · answer #9 · answered by Gothic Martha™ 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No, I guess I never thought of it as an insult, because I think everyone and I do mean EVERYONE likes to know that someone out there cares about them. A Christian person may not know you, but as a Christian they know that praying is a strong way of saying, "I Care enough about you to pray for you".
Maybe you should think about it this way. "It couldn't hurt for someone to pray for you, especially if you are a non-believer" But you should seriously take it as a compliment.
2006-08-17 15:35:18 · answer #10 · answered by chulita 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Sounds to me like you are a little bit to sensitive. If someone saying that want to pray for you comes off as an insult then you need to look inside you. We are not saying we are better than you, it is just another way that a Christian says I love you, and want to try to help you as best I know how. No one intends it to be an insult or a "holier than thou" statement, they only mean it to be a source of comfort that someone else is worried about you and wanting to see a resolution to you problem.
And I have heard people say I would like to pray with you, or for you, depending on what you would like.
2006-08-17 15:35:52 · answer #11 · answered by B R 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋