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I'll pray for you!

evildave

Unregistered
E
I wonder how often these words are said, and then the person who says them promptly forgets all about it.

It's just one of those curiosity things. Like "How many people whistle while they whizz?"

I find it odd to think that some people might ACTUALLY go home and add "that guy I met today" to their prayers, assuming they routinely pray at all. It's a totally alien concept.

It seems like a "have a nice day" sort of thing. You don't have the power to actually set aside and make a nice day for someone, or otherwise transfer one from your own limited supply of them, but you say it anyway.
 
evildave said:
I find it odd to think that some people might ACTUALLY go home and add "that guy I met today" to their prayers, assuming they routinely pray at all. It's a totally alien concept.
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I think it's creepy, kind of like a witch-doctor promising to add your likeness to his weekly cauldron of blood and urine.

Who was it that said something like "whenever you see a man approaching you with the obvious intention of doing you good, you should run for your life."
 
You think that it's odd, do you Dave, that another human being should care for you? That they could have compassion for some stranger they met? That they would not want you roasting in hell, far from the sight of holy Gott?

Anyway, you've misunderstood.
They mean that they will take over your praying chores. You're releaved of that burden as they will carry it for you. It's like getting a driving licence without having to sit the test because someone else will do it for you.

You ungrateful git.
I have loads of people praying for me, so I'll be in heaven a dozen times over. I think I'll start my own football team.
 
The only people who actually say "I'll pray for you" are the biblical ultra-literal fundamentalist cult of Christianity. And yes, they are serious.

Scary huh?
 
Re: Re: I'll pray for you!

EdwardG said:

I think it's creepy, kind of like a witch-doctor promising to add your likeness to his weekly cauldron of blood and urine.
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lol - I guess in the old testament days it would have been, "Hey, I'll slay a goat for you."
 
I've had people at work tell me that they prayed for me. Not wanting to be rude in the face of such a nice thought, I just politely thanked them.
 
It depends on the situation. Normally, I would say "thanks" or I appreciate that and let it slide. Occasionally, I don't.

One time I remember was when I had had a letter published in the local paper slamming creationism. Since I don't keep an unlisted phone number, the next day I got a call from an infuriated fundamentalist who launched into an abusive tirade which I tried unsuccessfully to interrupt. The last thing she said was I'll pray for you. I replied, "While your at it, pray that your God makes you a nicer person". The next sound was her hanging up.
 
evildave said:
I wonder how often these words are said, and then the person who says them promptly forgets all about it.

It's just one of those curiosity things. Like "How many people whistle while they whizz?"

I find it odd to think that some people might ACTUALLY go home and add "that guy I met today" to their prayers, assuming they routinely pray at all. It's a totally alien concept.

It seems like a "have a nice day" sort of thing. You don't have the power to actually set aside and make a nice day for someone, or otherwise transfer one from your own limited supply of them, but you say it anyway.
Click to expand...

I have a very negative reaction to anyone telling me they will pray for me. I don't want anyone to pray for me. Sometimes, Christian say "I'll pray for you" as a means to produce guilt in you. They want to make you think there is something wrong with you, and they, the self-righteous a**hole, will be the one to set you free through their prayer.

Naturally, some Christians are being kind and really intend to pray for you when they say that to you. Still, I don't feel comfortable with it.

What's worse, is having someone pray for you on the spot...putting their hands on you and praying without asking permission. I had this happen in a church service. I was big and pregnant and could not stand during praise and worship. While sitting trying to mind my own business and sing, a lady behind me put her hands on my shoulders and started to pray. My hubby did not notice..otherwise he would have stopped her.....he was too busy singing. Anyhow, I felt trapped by this womans strong hands pushing on my shoulders as she was praying hard for me.....as if I was deathly ill or something. I sat their staring ahead and wishing she would stop and wondered how I could politely get her to stop. She prayed forever...digging in her hands.

That will NEVER happen again! Next time, I will put a stop to it. :mad:
 
Tricky said:
It depends on the situation. Normally, I would say "thanks" or I appreciate that and let it slide. Occasionally, I don't.

One time I remember was when I had had a letter published in the local paper slamming creationism. Since I don't keep an unlisted phone number, the next day I got a call from an infuriated fundamentalist who launched into an abusive tirade which I tried unsuccessfully to interrupt. The last thing she said was I'll pray for you. I replied, "While your at it, pray that your God makes you a nicer person". The next sound was her hanging up.
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Good response!!!!!:D
 
I have only had this happen to me twice, and they were related; I found it very interesting to see the different response I had to each.
First, a fundy student (really nice guy)--who had found out I am an atheist--was talking with me. On his notebook, I saw a note that said "pray for [mercutio]." He was embarrassed, and I told him not to bother but that I thanked him anyway. I was actually a bit irritated, but why ruin his day over it? Then, I was telling a friend about it, and she said "but I pray for you." My reaction should have been the same, but (maybe because I think the world of this person and she can do no wrong in my eyes) I was genuinely flattered. This time, I did not tell her not to bother.

So anyway, I do my best to take it as intended...that can be as a compliment or as a slap, and we usually can tell from context.
 
“I’ll pray for you” is also one of my peeves runs a close second to “bless you” or “god bless you”

The only response I’ve been able to counteract that, is a quick retort of “Why would you want to pray for me?” And then get into a debate of who is really being perceived as the beneficiary of said blessings and prayers. As Rubystated in this quote
I have a very negative reaction to anyone telling me they will pray for me. I don't want anyone to pray for me. Sometimes, Christian say "I'll pray for you" as a means to produce guilt in you
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it’s a form of inferred insult.
 
Evildave hit the nail on the head pretty good there, its largely a have a nice day thing. Many people will also go home and pray for that person afterwards. Mostly its not meant as an insult, but as "I hope that (insert topic here) works out for you!" Whether it helps or not is debatable of course, but it certainly helps to have the support as friends.
 
Yeah I hate it when some Christian finds out that I am an athiest and then they say "I'll pray for you." I just want to tell them I'll 'pray' that you'll get a clue.
 
My mom says she'll pray for me when I have a big test coming up. Isn't that nice? If I pass my Quals, it isn't because I studied my butt off for them; it's because God made me pass. Gee, thanks.

Or sometimes my mother invokes this retroactively: (Complacently) "I knew you'd get that internship at the supercomputer center. I prayed that you would."
Oh, so my grades, programming experience, and hard work had nothing to do with it, I suppose.

Next time my Mom tells me she's praying that I'll pass the Quals, I'm going to ask, "So should I even bother studying?"
 
The answer to whether you should study at all: "God helps those who helps themselves".
 
evildave said:
The answer to whether you should study at all: "God helps those who helps themselves".
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Anyone know the etymology of this phrase? Is it biblical?
 
EdwardG said:


Anyone know the etymology of this phrase? Is it biblical?
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It's from the book of opinions!!:p

I had to look up online to get info on that quote. This is what I found.....The saying comes from one of Aesops fables--"A Wagoner was once driving a heavy load along a very muddy way. He came to a part of the road where the wheels sank half-way into the mire, and the more the horses pulled, the deeper sank the wheels. So the Wagoner threw down his whip, and knelt down and prayed to Hercules the Strong. 'O Hercules, help me in this my hour of distress." But Hercules appeared to him, and said: 'Man, don't sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel. The gods help them that help themselves.'"
 
evildave said:
The answer to whether you should study at all: "God helps those who helps themselves".
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I believe this is what Jim Baker said right before he got caught in flagrante delicto with Jessica Hahn.
 
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