Praying for others wrong?

Question

This conversation just happend. I told my Mom that I had told someone who went through a miscarriage (and cried on my shoulder about it), "Well, I will pray for you (keep you in my prayers)." Later, this person said, "No, don't."
Anyway, my mother said, "I hate it when people say they will pray for me. I think it's weird. I mean, who do you think you are? Superior to everyone else? Just because you go to church?" I said, " Ok, then, I think that mentality is weird. After all, I am just saying that I am thinking of you, but in a different way. But I'll ask someone what they think about that."
She finished off with, "Oh, one of your 'weirdo' people friends."
So weirdos, what do you think?

Answer 1

Praying for others is not wrong but when you pray for others be sure that he believe what you believe about God and if has no belief in God, it is useless.

Just pray first that someday in the near future and before the end of the earth or world, he should clear his conscience , mind and heart to call God and to be called by God for repentance of his non belief in God and ask forgiveness. God may call him to return to him to serve God.
jtm

Answer 2

It might be or sound a bit weird to hear those words. Perhaps finding another different way to say "I'll be thinking about you" would be appropriate. Such as, "I'm hear for you."
I guess people feel they are a bad person especially during troubled times and then to hear those words makes them feel even worse......in comes the defensive. It has nothing to do with feeling or being better than anyone else. It just cop-out for mismanaged feelings and a sense of discomfort.

An even crazier thought....why would someone NOT want you to pray for them. Especially because even Satan and his demons and his angels know there is a God. Do people really thinkg that just because another person says being there for them could heal their problems. Most people are looking for something greater anyway and deep inside they now that there is something greater. However, when they hear the answer they don't like it because they believe that's too constricting. Or it's not politically correct in this extremely liberal country. Sorry for the rant. I have to stop or I will continue.

Good luck

Answer 3

I don't have a problem for people praying for me. I have Christians all the time telling me that they will pray for me. Why would that be weird?

For some reason a lot of people find that uncomfortable - and from what I found most don't like people of other faiths praying for them. If I went to a Christian and told them I was going to pray for them - they would tell me not to. But yet they view it as perfectly acceptable to pray for me.

What you may want to do is just pray for someone privately. Really - what's the point in telling them? Is it just so you feel good - or are trying to get recognition? Or are you truly doing it to benefit them?

If it's for the latter reason then I would just pray privately. No one needs to know - and the fruits of the prayer will be known. Which is what really matters.

Answer 4

Prayer is an act of charity. I am sorry to say this but your mother was being a poor example by defining Christians as weirdos, when we are people as well. There is nothiong wrong with keeping your friend in your prayers. I think it is a very saintly thing to do.

If you would like to talk about it maybe you would like to ask the question here as Y!A isnt a good place to hold questions like this:
http://forums.catholic.com

It's open to everyone regardless of religion or nonreligion and the people here are kind and compassionate and give very intelligent answers. Dont worry, you dont have to be a Catholic.

Answer 5

Sometimes people are uncomfortable with the concept of prayer. It's a common misconception that those who pray think they are better than others. It's hard to get them to understand you do it because you care about them, you want things better for them and you know the One that can help if they will let Him. Perhaps it's the concept that God is so much above everyone that your belief you can approach Him with prayer means you think your above them. It's not true but I have known one or two who thought that way.

Answer 6

Oh my. I hate to say it, but I think your mother is being very disrespectful of you. She may not understand praying and religion, but she has no right to accuse you of being a weirdo and thinking you are better just because you pray!

I ask people to pray for me all the time, and I pray for others. It has NOTHING to do with anyone being better than anyone else. It simply means that we care! We want to do something to help. That's all.

Answer 7

Dear holli,

The Bible encourages us always to take every opportunity to be a blessing to others. i think that it's never wrong to do the "right thing" and prayer is never the "wrong thing".

Your mother is obviously very sensitive to the issue- and maybe when she calms down you can explain to her that you aren't "superior to anyone" if anything you recognize your weakness and so you're there to support her- and you want to go to God who can help more than you can. I hope that she understands- but if she doesn't you may just have to not say it- but just do it- in the quietness of your own heart. Remember you can go to your room close the door and pray to your Father in Heaven.

Feel free to email me if i can offer any advice or just be a ear for you. i will most certainly pray for you sister.

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 8

That's crazy! I think it is very thankful for someone to say that. You're not saying that your a better christian so God will listen to you more than he would them! It's just stating that you're thinking about them and you want them better. I tell people to pray for me all the time. As a matter of fact, I asked my mom today to pray that I get into a college I applied for. That doesn't mean that I'm not going to pray for myself also!!!

Answer 9

It tells us in the bible to pray one for another, no your not weird. i hate to say this but, what makes people think their too good for prayer? God say's he hears our prayers. It's pretty sad also that people get offended or insulted because we go to church. I think they're getting convicted of their sins, God is pulling on their heart strings. Hopefully some day they Will understand. Ask your Mom to go to church with you. GOD BLESS YOU, and keep praying.

Answer 10

It's OK to pray for people when you're doing it sincerely, from the heart. (With good intentions.) What irritates some people (non-believers, mostly) is when people give them a condescending "I'm going to pray for you." (As if they are more important in the eyes of "God" than you would be.) If you are praying for someone, you shouldn't need to tell them you're doing so. I'm sure when you said it, you were trying to be comforting, and not condescending, so I'm surprised that she reacted with "No, don't." Anyway, maybe it would be better to pray for them on your own if you sincerely wish to, and just TELL them that you're thinking of them, and to let you know if there's anything you can do to help.

Answer 11

I'm so sorry your mother said that. She must have really been stung by that offer of prayer for some reason. I think it's wise to use discretion when you tell someone you'll pray for them. Are they a believer? Okay to say it. Are they an atheist? Maybe not. They'll get angry. You don't have to announce you'll pray for someone (do it anyway)....but do be conscious of the state of mind of the person you're talking to....what their beliefs are....before you say something like that.