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Post by sacerdotal on Feb 9, 2013 23:53:05 GMT -5
A popular phrase in my part of the country is this, "I'll pray for you." Such as in response to hearing that someone has the flu. Or that someone was just laid off from their job, or had a big test coming up, etc. People go onto Facebook quite often and ask for prayers for their cousin or uncle or aunt (etc) that is going in for surgery, etc. They ask for prayers. And people, quite naturally respond, "I'll be praying for you."
Here's an idea, instead, ask, "What can I do to help?" "Do you need help with a hotel while you are waiting in perhaps at an out of town hospital, or help with the surgery costs, or meals, etc. Or to a person that is layed off, offering to help with the bills, helping network to find another job, or even just offering a friendly ear and an encouraging voice.
"I'll pray for you", as a commentator mentioned on another discussion board in regards to the mega church that he attended, is the Christian equivalent (in some cases) to "F*** you. I'm not helping, that is God's job." And he is right.
Prayer is a mighty source of prayer, as we sing in our 2x2 hymn book, but burying our talent in the ground and doing nothing because we know the nature of God seems to make God angry- just reread the parable of the talents and know that what the man did with his talent WAS NOTHING. That was what he was guilty of before God.
I firmly believe that we show our love for God by our love to our neighbors and our enemies.
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Post by snow on Feb 10, 2013 1:06:53 GMT -5
A popular phrase in my part of the country is this, "I'll pray for you." Such as in response to hearing that someone has the flu. Or that someone was just laid off from their job, or had a big test coming up, etc. People go onto Facebook quite often and ask for prayers for their cousin or uncle or aunt (etc) that is going in for surgery, etc. They ask for prayers. And people, quite naturally respond, "I'll be praying for you." Here's an idea, instead, ask, "What can I do to help?" "Do you need help with a hotel while you are waiting in perhaps at an out of town hospital, or help with the surgery costs, or meals, etc. Or to a person that is layed off, offering to help with the bills, helping network to find another job, or even just offering a friendly ear and an encouraging voice. "I'll pray for you", as a commentator mentioned on another discussion board in regards to the mega church that he attended, is the Christian equivalent (in some cases) to "F*** you. I'm not helping, that is God's job." And he is right. Prayer is a mighty source of prayer, as we sing in our 2x2 hymn book, but burying our talent in the ground and doing nothing because we know the nature of God seems to make God angry- just reread the parable of the talents and know that what the man did with his talent WAS NOTHING. That was what he was guilty of before God. I firmly believe that we show our love for God by our love to our neighbors and our enemies. I agree.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2013 1:17:57 GMT -5
Here is another way it is misused: "I will be praying for you (because you are so wrong, I am so right and you are headed to hell)". I've seen that come up in real life as well as on this forum. It is a form of self righteous spiritual abuse.
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Post by ts on Feb 10, 2013 1:28:17 GMT -5
A popular phrase in my part of the country is this, "I'll pray for you." Such as in response to hearing that someone has the flu. Or that someone was just laid off from their job, or had a big test coming up, etc. People go onto Facebook quite often and ask for prayers for their cousin or uncle or aunt (etc) that is going in for surgery, etc. They ask for prayers. And people, quite naturally respond, "I'll be praying for you." Here's an idea, instead, ask, "What can I do to help?" "Do you need help with a hotel while you are waiting in perhaps at an out of town hospital, or help with the surgery costs, or meals, etc. Or to a person that is layed off, offering to help with the bills, helping network to find another job, or even just offering a friendly ear and an encouraging voice. "I'll pray for you", as a commentator mentioned on another discussion board in regards to the mega church that he attended, is the Christian equivalent (in some cases) to "F*** you. I'm not helping, that is God's job." And he is right. Prayer is a mighty source of prayer, as we sing in our 2x2 hymn book, but burying our talent in the ground and doing nothing because we know the nature of God seems to make God angry- just reread the parable of the talents and know that what the man did with his talent WAS NOTHING. That was what he was guilty of before God. I firmly believe that we show our love for God by our love to our neighbors and our enemies. I think I would in the not so distant past be in more agreement with this than I presently am. I do agree that if it is in our power to help a situation in whatever way we can help, then we should not pass up the opportunity to sow seed. I believe that giving of the natural in little things is sowing seed for a richer harvest later on. So, yes, give, help...whatever the situation dictates under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. However, I DO pray for others and often tell others I do. There is just too much evidence and testimony in my life and the lives of my friends where prayer is not the least thing we can do but the greatest. Sacerdotal, you had mentioned in another thread the book of James and the practical things it says there about helping others. I think this is the theme here in this thread: Don't go tell a person to be warmed and fed. Give him a coat and food. Something to that effect. Also in James it says if someone is sick, let the elders go to that person, lay hands on him, anoint him with oil and pray and that person WILL recover. Don't underestimate the power of prayer and the authority that we have in the spiritual relm through Jesus.
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Post by quizzer on Feb 10, 2013 4:41:34 GMT -5
I've had to adjust my head about the phrase "I'll pray for you." When I first heard it from a pastor, I asked if he was cursing me or really considered me to have a bad attitude. He meant it as a way to say, "I physically cannot help you with your situation, but I will ask God to help you." It was a caring phrase, one that was meant to ask God to help me when other humans could not.
It was one of those moments when I realized that the meetings had impacted my relationship with God, and my relationship with Christians. I had been conditioned to believe that God was used to punish people, so praying for someone meant that they were to change. This was the exact opposite of what my Christian friends were trying to convey. They were trying to tell me that God could love and help me even when I couldn't express my troubles.
I've also had a Christian lady tell me to pray for others, and to be sure that I make those prayers. It's not an empty phrase. It's about realizing that, sometimes, we need to realize that changes need to happen for ourselves and others, and this help may not be available to any of us at the time.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2013 8:13:49 GMT -5
There was a time I would never tell someone I would pray for them. I have come to realize it is like so many things. If we use words without though they are just words. If you say I love you but do not show it then they are just words. I will now tell other I will pray for them in certain situations and I realize that when I say this I had better mean it because not only did the other person hear but God heard also. Why would we be ashamed to admit we will pray for someone. It is no different then those that will say in their testimony in meeting they pray for others but outside of meeting will never discuss anything spiritual. How does that work. Are you only spiritual in meeting??
Yes I agree that using the phase without thought is no different then workers that say if God willing I will see you again. Do they really mean that or are they just saying that. The same with saying amen after someone else prayer. Can you say that from the bottom of you heart. Did you really just listen to everything they just said. Or are you just used to saying that at the end of others prayers?
We need to make sure what we what we say is what we do.
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Post by sacerdotal on Feb 10, 2013 9:39:24 GMT -5
Here is another way it is misused: "I will be praying for you (because you are so wrong, I am so right and you are headed to hell)". I've seen that come up in real life as well as on this forum. It is a form of self righteous spiritual abuse. Yes, a worker used that one on me once when I was trying to discuss something with her- she shut the conversation down with this- "Well, if we are obedient then the Lord will show us the way." She said it like a mantra that she had rehearsed and that was that. End of discussion. It is patronizing, that is what it is. The attitude comes across as "I am a worker. . . you are not. . . be obedient to what WE say. . . and we will be friends." I agree, it is a type of spiritual abuse.
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Post by sacerdotal on Feb 10, 2013 9:46:15 GMT -5
A popular phrase in my part of the country is this, "I'll pray for you." Such as in response to hearing that someone has the flu. Or that someone was just laid off from their job, or had a big test coming up, etc. People go onto Facebook quite often and ask for prayers for their cousin or uncle or aunt (etc) that is going in for surgery, etc. They ask for prayers. And people, quite naturally respond, "I'll be praying for you." Here's an idea, instead, ask, "What can I do to help?" "Do you need help with a hotel while you are waiting in perhaps at an out of town hospital, or help with the surgery costs, or meals, etc. Or to a person that is layed off, offering to help with the bills, helping network to find another job, or even just offering a friendly ear and an encouraging voice. "I'll pray for you", as a commentator mentioned on another discussion board in regards to the mega church that he attended, is the Christian equivalent (in some cases) to "F*** you. I'm not helping, that is God's job." And he is right. Prayer is a mighty source of prayer, as we sing in our 2x2 hymn book, but burying our talent in the ground and doing nothing because we know the nature of God seems to make God angry- just reread the parable of the talents and know that what the man did with his talent WAS NOTHING. That was what he was guilty of before God. I firmly believe that we show our love for God by our love to our neighbors and our enemies. I think I would in the not so distant past be in more agreement with this than I presently am. I do agree that if it is in our power to help a situation in whatever way we can help, then we should not pass up the opportunity to sow seed. I believe that giving of the natural in little things is sowing seed for a richer harvest later on. So, yes, give, help...whatever the situation dictates under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. However, I DO pray for others and often tell others I do. There is just too much evidence and testimony in my life and the lives of my friends where prayer is not the least thing we can do but the greatest. Sacerdotal, you had mentioned in another thread the book of James and the practical things it says there about helping others. I think this is the theme here in this thread: Don't go tell a person to be warmed and fed. Give him a coat and food. Something to that effect. Also in James it says if someone is sick, let the elders go to that person, lay hands on him, anoint him with oil and pray and that person WILL recover. Don't underestimate the power of prayer and the authority that we have in the spiritual relm through Jesus. Great points, TS. I wasn't in anyway trying to say that praying for others isn't needed or is a bad thing. But you nailed it, in James it mentions we need to do what WE can and pray for God's help and guidance. And He WILL give the needed grace in our time of need (or another's). You said it better than I. I just think, though, that using the phrase "I'll pray for you" without actually praying (which I think is most often the case) and without actually trying to lift a finger to help- is what gives Christianity such a bad name.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2013 10:00:31 GMT -5
I've recently had three different people at different times say 'let me pray for you' and they did so on the spot. As we were parting, they said 'I'll be praying for you.' Since I knew what they had prayed for me in my hearing, I had an idea what they were likely to be praying for in private, and also that they likely would. It was comforting.
When I say I'm going to pray for someone, I consider it a vow made that I need to honor. But I agree, if there are practical things to be done to help, then those things also need to be done.
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Post by sacerdotal on Feb 10, 2013 10:23:30 GMT -5
I've recently had three different people at different times say 'let me pray for you' and they did so on the spot. As we were parting, they said 'I'll be praying for you.' Since I knew what they had prayed for me in my hearing, I had an idea what they were likely to be praying for in private, and also that they likely would. It was comforting. When I say I'm going to pray for someone, I consider it a vow made that I need to honor. But I agree, if there are practical things to be done to help, then those things also need to be done. Did they offer to help you in any way (or help you)? Based on the fact that they were actually visiting with you (which is an action), then perhaps they did.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2013 10:30:43 GMT -5
I've recently had three different people at different times say 'let me pray for you' and they did so on the spot. As we were parting, they said 'I'll be praying for you.' Since I knew what they had prayed for me in my hearing, I had an idea what they were likely to be praying for in private, and also that they likely would. It was comforting. When I say I'm going to pray for someone, I consider it a vow made that I need to honor. But I agree, if there are practical things to be done to help, then those things also need to be done. Did they offer to help you in any way (or help you)? Based on the fact that they were actually visiting with you (which is an action), then perhaps they did. There wasn't anything more than they could do as it related to a spiritual concern. These are folks from a local church that do practical outreach ministry, so they are used to looking for opportunities to do more than to just pray.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2013 10:32:32 GMT -5
I've recently had three different people at different times say 'let me pray for you' and they did so on the spot. As we were parting, they said 'I'll be praying for you.' Since I knew what they had prayed for me in my hearing, I had an idea what they were likely to be praying for in private, and also that they likely would. It was comforting. When I say I'm going to pray for someone, I consider it a vow made that I need to honor. But I agree, if there are practical things to be done to help, then those things also need to be done. Did they offer to help you in any way (or help you)? Based on the fact that they were actually visiting with you (which is an action), then perhaps they did. I think your points are all well taken sacredotal. Beside the more rare aspect of spiritual abuse that I brought up, that phrase, even the actual praying, can be used as a cop-out from actually doing something. The personal cost of a prayer is almost zero so it can be misused as a cheap way to absolve oneself of personal responsibility. That is not to say that praying is a bad thing, quite the opposite....unless it is used as a weapon to condemn someone or used to wiggle out of personal responsibility by putting it on God.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2013 10:38:49 GMT -5
Did they offer to help you in any way (or help you)? Based on the fact that they were actually visiting with you (which is an action), then perhaps they did. I think your points are all well taken sacredotal. Beside the more rare aspect of spiritual abuse that I brought up, that phrase, even the actual praying, can be used as a cop-out from actually doing something. The personal cost of a prayer is almost zero so it can be misused as a cheap way to absolve oneself of personal responsibility. That is not to say that praying is a bad thing, quite the opposite....unless it is used as a weapon to condemn someone or used to wiggle out of personal responsibility by putting it on God. As to my experience, they couldn't do more than they did. However, this church has a practical outreach for the local poor and they are currently working with others to combat human trafficking. Not something our group would do! And they don't care if you belong to their church or not before you get involved in helping. Way cool.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2013 10:45:08 GMT -5
I think your points are all well taken sacredotal. Beside the more rare aspect of spiritual abuse that I brought up, that phrase, even the actual praying, can be used as a cop-out from actually doing something. The personal cost of a prayer is almost zero so it can be misused as a cheap way to absolve oneself of personal responsibility. That is not to say that praying is a bad thing, quite the opposite....unless it is used as a weapon to condemn someone or used to wiggle out of personal responsibility by putting it on God. As to my experience, they couldn't do more than they did. However, this church has a practical outreach for the local poor and they are currently working with others to combat human trafficking. Not something our group would do! And they don't care if you belong to their church or not before you get involved in helping. Way cool. I'm not criticizing your experience. Prayer is best used when there are no options for action, as was the case in your experience. It really helps us let go of the angst of a situation that we can do nothing about and leave it in God's hands.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2013 10:49:05 GMT -5
As to my experience, they couldn't do more than they did. However, this church has a practical outreach for the local poor and they are currently working with others to combat human trafficking. Not something our group would do! And they don't care if you belong to their church or not before you get involved in helping. Way cool. I'm not criticizing your experience. Prayer is best used when there are no options for action, as was the case in your experience. It really helps us let go of the angst of a situation that we can do nothing about and leave it in God's hands. It surely does.
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Post by sharonw on Feb 10, 2013 10:58:39 GMT -5
Here is another way it is misused: "I will be praying for you (because you are so wrong, I am so right and you are headed to hell)". I've seen that come up in real life as well as on this forum. It is a form of self righteous spiritual abuse. So what does a person do when they've recited their troubles to a supposed friend and more or less asks that friend to pray for them during that crisis or trial? Are we going to be so hung up on this "praying for you" business that we are afraid to say that we're praying for someone? Sometimes prayer is about all a person can do for another and since it is a supplication to the Lord it kind of is giving God the glory in meteing out the answers to prayers.... I've been reading in Ezekiel lately and it sometimes comes to me so real that what God speaks about in that prophet's book is so real today. Now as to doing instead of praying? I think it is alright to do the physical but we shouldn't get carried away with being such charitable doer for didn't I Cor. 13 speak top that in this verse? 1Cr 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Some people equate charitable deeds to mean they have charity, but I don't think that is right esp. with what the above verse implies!
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Post by sharonw on Feb 10, 2013 11:10:17 GMT -5
Did they offer to help you in any way (or help you)? Based on the fact that they were actually visiting with you (which is an action), then perhaps they did. I think your points are all well taken sacredotal. Beside the more rare aspect of spiritual abuse that I brought up, that phrase, even the actual praying, can be used as a cop-out from actually doing something. The personal cost of a prayer is almost zero so it can be misused as a cheap way to absolve oneself of personal responsibility. That is not to say that praying is a bad thing, quite the opposite....unless it is used as a weapon to condemn someone or used to wiggle out of personal responsibility by putting it on God. I totally disagree with that the "personal cost of a prayer is almost zero". Of course I'm sure you're speaking to people just repeating the words in a prayer-like session, but IF the prayer for someone else is offered in the spirit which we have to come to the Lord in, then that cost of a prayer for someone else may well cost the prayer a considerable amount of self-absorbed angst of needs of their own.....to "mean" what we do pray for others takes something that is soft and pliable and not full of conceit in our hearts...otherwords loving one another as Jesus told His Apostles was His new commandment...to love one another as He loved them or us.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2013 11:38:11 GMT -5
I think your points are all well taken sacredotal. Beside the more rare aspect of spiritual abuse that I brought up, that phrase, even the actual praying, can be used as a cop-out from actually doing something. The personal cost of a prayer is almost zero so it can be misused as a cheap way to absolve oneself of personal responsibility. That is not to say that praying is a bad thing, quite the opposite....unless it is used as a weapon to condemn someone or used to wiggle out of personal responsibility by putting it on God. I totally disagree with that the "personal cost of a prayer is almost zero". Of course I'm sure you're speaking to people just repeating the words in a prayer-like session, but IF the prayer for someone else is offered in the spirit which we have to come to the Lord in, then that cost of a prayer for someone else may well cost the prayer a considerable amount of self-absorbed angst of needs of their own.....to "mean" what we do pray for others takes something that is soft and pliable and not full of conceit in our hearts...otherwords loving one another as Jesus told His Apostles was His new commandment...to love one another as He loved them or us. I would expect that almost all Christians would disagree with you. By far most would consider prayer personally beneficial, ie profitable, not costly.
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Post by emy on Feb 10, 2013 13:24:20 GMT -5
I noticed the same statement Sharon did and I agree with her! ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Post by sharonw on Feb 10, 2013 21:05:02 GMT -5
I noticed the same statement Sharon did and I agree with her! ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) TY! ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) I'm not speaking as to "cost" in meaning money or time...I speaking to being able to really get in touch with who one is praying to....getting into the spirit of prayer costs people....it isn't all that easy to "close the closet door" esp. when one is emotionally attached to the person who is needy's crisis. Emotions ruling the prayer "air" or tenor of a prayer session often doesn't get the job done....just repeating words that keep your vow to the needy one doesn't always get the job done correctly. As to prayer being beneficial, that is usually reckoned AFTER the prayer time....and sometimes a time after the praying time. But to have a "personal beneficial" prayer IS not laying aside one's own needs and angsts in order to close the closet door and shut out that which so easily besets us. I find that takes a bit of doing.....or effort. Otherwords praying for others is not just an easy thing to do...and sometimes we really judge that it is an easy thing to do...but then we are not considering what real charity is all about, now do we?
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Post by rational on Feb 10, 2013 21:28:41 GMT -5
The only downside is that it has been shown many times that unless people know you are praying for them, the prayers have no effect.
By not telling them you effectively remove the benefit.
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Post by sacerdotal on Feb 10, 2013 22:49:51 GMT -5
The only downside is that it has been shown many times that unless people know you are praying for them, the prayers have no effect. By not telling them you effectively remove the benefit. Yep- the placebo effect of prayer- and of faith in a higher power (placebo: so-called by science). But, if a person has been laid off, and their preacher tells them, I will be praying for you, do studies show that that in any way helped the person with their bills? The commentator on another board said that he perceived that the preacher was simply saying "F*** you" without helping him with his natural needs but instead said that he would pray for him. James wrote of this kind of situation as being full of nonsense. It is the constant "I'll be praying for you" kind of language- without actually lifting a finger to be a help- that gives Christianity such a bad name- and rightfully so. ( redd.it/187vry) I was glad to see on my Facebook page this evening an example of what I meant in my initial post: one of my friend's ("a worldly friend") daughter had a nasty rash form all of a sudden with a large 3" raised area. His wife took her to the hospital- and he was asking for prayers for his daughter. Which is good and great- I am not anti-prayer- quite the opposite- prayer should be like breathing to a Christian- anyway- the very first comment to his post didn't say, "I'll pray for her." Instead it said, "Feel free to come stay with us, we are near the hospital and have an open bedroom with a queen bed in it." To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer. Mahatma Gandhi
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Post by snow on Feb 11, 2013 0:02:44 GMT -5
I guess for me it's an aversion to hearing "please pray for me" or I will pray for you. Why does this have to be said out loud to a person. I have a birth family that is always saying they will pray for me and every time there is a little angst in their lives, they want people to pray for them. I have no problem helping someone. But who am I supposed to pray to? They know I am not a Christian so when they ask for my prayers, what are they really asking? This puzzles me as well as frustrates me. Also, because they are Christian and I am not, telling me they will pray for me does come across as being sanctimonious. I want to add that I don't have a problem when it is amongst Christians, but when it is directed at those who are not, it just seems redundant.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2013 0:09:12 GMT -5
I guess for me it's an aversion to hearing "please pray for me" or I will pray for you. Why does this have to be said out loud to a person. I have a birth family that is always saying they will pray for me and every time there is a little angst in their lives, they want people to pray for them. I have no problem helping someone. But who am I supposed to pray to? They know I am not a Christian so when they ask for my prayers, what are they really asking? This puzzles me as well as frustrates me. Also, because they are Christian and I am not, telling me they will pray for me does come across as being sanctimonious. I want to add that I don't have a problem when it is amongst Christians, but when it is directed at those who are not, it just seems redundant. Knowing you aren't Christian makes their saying 'we'll pray for you' as awkward as asking you to pray for you. ![:P](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/tongue.png) It bugs me when people say "I'll pray for you' whenever you have a doctrinal difference. It comes across as condescending even if the person didn't mean it that way.
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Post by snow on Feb 11, 2013 0:13:15 GMT -5
I guess for me it's an aversion to hearing "please pray for me" or I will pray for you. Why does this have to be said out loud to a person. I have a birth family that is always saying they will pray for me and every time there is a little angst in their lives, they want people to pray for them. I have no problem helping someone. But who am I supposed to pray to? They know I am not a Christian so when they ask for my prayers, what are they really asking? This puzzles me as well as frustrates me. Also, because they are Christian and I am not, telling me they will pray for me does come across as being sanctimonious. I want to add that I don't have a problem when it is amongst Christians, but when it is directed at those who are not, it just seems redundant. Knowing you aren't Christian makes their saying 'we'll pray for you' as awkward as asking you to pray for you. ![:P](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/tongue.png) It bugs me when people say "I'll pray for you' whenever you have a doctrinal difference. It comes across as condescending even if the person didn't mean it that way. Exactly. I'm sure they think they are doing something wonderful for me by telling me they will pray for me because it is what they do with their Christian friends. They don't stop and think about how they sound and I know they mean well, most of the time... There are times I do know they are praying that I will get what they just 'know'. I still wonder who they think I would pray to. Do they want to risk me praying to the wrong God or are they trusting me to talk to their God when they do this? I really don't know what they are thinking when they ask me to pray for them.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2013 9:25:37 GMT -5
Knowing you aren't Christian makes their saying 'we'll pray for you' as awkward as asking you to pray for you. ![:P](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/tongue.png) It bugs me when people say "I'll pray for you' whenever you have a doctrinal difference. It comes across as condescending even if the person didn't mean it that way. Exactly. I'm sure they think they are doing something wonderful for me by telling me they will pray for me because it is what they do with their Christian friends. They don't stop and think about how they sound and I know they mean well, most of the time... There are times I do know they are praying that I will get what they just 'know'. I still wonder who they think I would pray to. Do they want to risk me praying to the wrong God or are they trusting me to talk to their God when they do this? I really don't know what they are thinking when they ask me to pray for them. In most cases, I would interpret "I'll pray for you" as saying "I care about you and want the best outcome for you". It's an expressed sentiment not far off "I love you". In all likelihood I would respond "hey thanks, that's kind of you to think of me!" We learned as kids that "it's not the gift, it's the thought that counts"!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2013 9:27:22 GMT -5
Amazing to me how times change. If someone is genuine, and does actually pray for me, then I am thankful for I need all I can get. I remember once the President of this nation asking the entire population of the country to pray for 3 astronauts bringing a crippled space vehicle home, and against all odds they were able to do so with everyone who could doing their part even if only in prayer that they would be spared. I DO pray for people. Do I tell them? No, not necessarily so. Sometimes, though. They can know I do so and that I try to live, praying without ceasing.
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Post by sharonw on Feb 11, 2013 11:00:12 GMT -5
The only downside is that it has been shown many times that unless people know you are praying for them, the prayers have no effect. By not telling them you effectively remove the benefit. Yes it does remove the benefit. That's kind of like people who are doing something or learning something, when they know that their loved ones are backing them in all of their good works, etc...then the person who is backed and knows it seem to end up in a better position or education, etc simply because they know their backed by those they love. I suppose an example would be like children that grow up in situations of family or no family have a harder time gaining their ultimate potential then those who have loving family and friends. The load of life seems so much heavier for them then for the children who are loved and supported emotionally, mentally and even sometimes physically. JMO cause been there done that.
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