2006-12-01 05:03:04 · 21 answers · asked by mutterhalls 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It does depend on the context.
I hope you won't mind my answering as I am a Christian Witness of Jehovah
If someone from another denomination says they'll pray for me I hate it, it's as if they're saying "my contact with God is better than yours"
On the otherhand, someone from my own faith saying that they'll include me in their prayers is a souce of encoragement, after all the apostle Paul constantly remembered fellow beleivers in his prayers (Ro 1:8, 9; 2Co 13:7; Eph 3:14-19; Php 1:3-5, 9-11; Col 1:3, 9-12; 1Th 1:2, 3; 2Th 1:3) and requested that they also pray for him. (Ro 15:30-32; 2Co 1:11)
Generally speaking though, I think to tell a non beleiver that you'll pray for them is a condescending thing to do, and is not at all appropriate.
2006-12-01 08:36:25 · answer #1 · answered by hollymichal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how/why they say it. Some say it in a way taht is demeaning and insulting as in "Oh, you troubled lost soul, I'll pray for you to see the light of God, blah blah blah." In that case, yes I am offended.
Others offer it as a sign they care for and are worried about you. In those cases, I take it as a great compliment and a show of their love for me and am not only not offended, but very touched by the gesture.
Prayer, just like everything, is all about the intent behind it. Are you doing it in order to truly help the person, or are you offering it as an insult that they don't share your belief
2006-12-01 13:07:57 · answer #2 · answered by Punkie'sDad 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I used to get angry...because it can be taken as offensive.
But then I think, HOW PATHETIC!?!?! With all the illness, death, war, homeless, etc. in the world today, and all they want to do is pray for me because I'm an Atheist!?!?!
Who's the horrible one here...not me. I don't believe in prayer...it's a waste of time...and I'm going to use that time to actually do something for the world. They are going to talk to someone that doesn't exist to try and make me a believer.
Oh well...ignorance is bliss. Whatever makes them happy. If they are praying for me, they will at least shut-up and stop harassing me.
2006-12-01 13:08:55 · answer #3 · answered by Heck if I know! 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Of course not. It doesn't anger me when kids refuse to walk on sidewalk cracks, someone tosses salt over their shoulder, a friend carries a rabbit's foot, or someone gets nervous on Friday the 13th. Everyone has to deal with the anxiety of living in their own best way possible.
However, if they insist on promoting religious rules of morality on those outside their religion, that gets me riled up.
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2006-12-01 13:13:13 · answer #4 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bristle when a stranger or someone I don't particularly like says they will pray for me. It makes me feel like they think if they don't intercede on my behalf I will be lost or harmed somehow. I always have to surpress the urge to say "save it - I don't need your prayers".
Having said that, I love it when a friend says they will keep me in their thoughts, they will send me positive energy or light to help me with my problem. It is even easier to take "i will pray for you" when you hear it from a friend or someone you love.
Peace!
2006-12-01 13:09:44 · answer #5 · answered by carole 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm religious, but not in the traditional way. I feel sorry for people who tell non-Christians/ non-believers "I'll pray for you". I'm sorry that they're so ignorant about how the dynamics of living in the real world work.
2006-12-01 13:09:29 · answer #6 · answered by Sweetchild Danielle 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No Prayer has helped me in my life. The coolest thing about your question is the fact you have opened the door for millions of christians to pray for you and everyone on that is offened by prayer. God has your life you only wish he didnt.
2006-12-01 13:19:39 · answer #7 · answered by guyinzion 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what's the sense of getting mad or offended by somebody for offering a nice gesture that would be like getting upset at somebody for trying to offer you help to make your life easier or whatnot just take it as it is and that's that
2006-12-01 13:12:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I just usually giggle to myself a little to think somebody is wasting time out of their day to talk to the ceiling all on account of me.
2006-12-01 13:05:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Living in a secular country where I seldom, if ever encounter conservative Christians I find it totally laughable.
2006-12-01 13:07:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋