How does it make you feel when a person whose faith you do not believe in says s/he will pray for you?

Question

Are you happy to have them do so? Do you find it hypocritical?

Sarasara, I'm asking *you* if you find it hypocritical? I did not say I found it so. I reserve my opinion for the moment lest it muddy the waters!

Answer 1

It depends on the situation.

My family-in-law is Mormon, and although I am Wiccan, they have welcomed me with open arms (most of them, anyway). Sometimes, when I am ill, or anticipating an important event (like an interview or a trip somewhere), they don't necessarily SAY they will pray for me, but I know they're thinking it, and I think they do it. In situations like that, I am touched. They do it with good intentions, and still honor my religious differences. I also feel this way if someone at their church might offer to for the same reasons, whether they know or not that I'm Wiccan.

However, in many circumstances I see it as a cop-out. "Why don't you come to church with me?" No. "Just come talk to my pastor/priest/bishop/religious authority." No. "Don't you want to hear about Jesus?" No. "You are going to Hell. I will pray for you." Oh goodie. You weren't able to woo or sway me with your religious banter, so you decide you'll ask your God to change my mind. Sorry. No sale. I pity their poor God; he must be constantly pummeled with endless requests to tamper with people’s thinking. Wait, wasn’t there a rule against that? Something called freewill?

Answer 2

It's not hypocritical if it is according to their faith. It doesn't bother me whether a mormon, JW, moslem, buddhist, hindo or whatever says they will pray for me. My faith is in Christ - the others won't do me any harm. They are not asking me to join them in prayer to an entity I don't believe in are they?
Actually I think I would just say thank you for the good intention.

I have sometimes prayed for the person I was responding to on Answers, because I was concerned. But I didn't thell them "I'll pray for you". I just do it.
There may be certain situations when assuring a person of my prayers will be reassuring even though they are not necessarily a believer, but usually, it's probably better to just pray without saying anything. I realize it could be perceived as some kind of a challenge by some - like: I'm going to pray for you, what are you going to do about it? It's usually not the intention, I'm sure, but people get so easily annoyed .....

Answer 3

I believe there is only one Ultimate Good. The different religions and faith groups have different names they give to this Ultimate Good, but when a prayer is given asking for a good thing, the prayer is heard by this One Ultimate Good.

When an act of kindness is done, when love is exchanged, when any goodness or mercy is shown, regardless of the beliefs of the person doing the act, or the names they call on in faith, it is all done in the name of this One Ultimate Good.

I may not agree with everything a person of "that other faith" believes, but the One Ultimate Good is bigger than either of our beliefs, and so I will let that One figure it out.

Answer 4

Sometimes what's in their heart is good - they really mean well. Sometimes it's not so good - they are only saying they'll pray for you as an insult, or as a redirection of an aggressive impulse. The words can't tell you what their intent is - at best you have to look at the way they say it and the context. Even then you may not know.

But there's no use getting upset about it in any case. You will be more of a credit to yourself and your beliefs if you are calm and pleasant. I would shrug my shoulders. It's their business what they want to do.

Answer 5

I try and give every person the benefit of the doubt first of all. But if a person proves to me by the life that I see them live, that they do not truly have very much faith in God, then I would not ask them to pray for me to begin with.

Answer 6

To be honest, I don't really like it. I know they mean well, but to me, that's kind of the same thing as saying, "What you believe is wrong; I pray that one day you will believe what I believe, which is the *right* thing to do." But I don't think I'm wrong any more than they think they're wrong. "I'll pray for you" in that context seems a little condescending to me; it implies that they just "get it" and I'm lost and confused. I know it's not meant to be that way (in most cases), but that's how it comes across.

Answer 7

To be honest and I am a Christian , I would be initially offended. But....then I would not take it wrong, just because someone says they will pray for you it does not mean they are only praying for you to believe their way, maybe just to keep you safe, guide you, protect you and so on. If you do not believe and they do, by them saying they will pray for you only means they will take their belief and make themselves feel better by having another watch over you. Just say thank you and appreciate that they are taking it to higher ground because they care.

Answer 8

It makes me feel good and thankful , because they think enough of me to do that. And perhaps in doing that my God will give them Blessings they cannot even contain..No, I don't find it hypocritical , I consider it honorable for them to pray, after all my God reads hearts.

Answer 9

I think that they are meaning well, even if I happen to not agree with them. I take the comment in the spirit with which it was intended.

I happen to be a christian, and I pray for many non-christians. In a way it is my duty as a person of faith. The freatest commandment is "To love god and love your neihbor as you love your self."

To follow that commandment, we must be concerned for our fellow human beings.

Answer 10

If I think they're sincere then I appreciate their sentiment even though I don't share their beliefs. Indeed, I've even asked people to pray for me - I said I would be honestly open to any kind of sign that they might ask their god to give me, so I could be persuaded of his ( / her / its ) existence.

Needless to say I'm still an atheist... :-/