Do you get mad when someone prays for you?
By Cait Tallon
@skydream (1446)
Agate, Colorado
September 22, 2017 2:47pm CST
Recently I got on facebook and saw my cousin and aunt not only saying how prayer does nothing but insulting the people who pray calling them brain dead, then I see on a few other sites people telling people not to pray. And then if someone says I'm praying for you the person flips on them. I don't think that's right.
I believe in God, I believe in prayer and it has worked for me, with that being said if someone tells me they don't believe in God and don't pray I don't look down on them or anything like that but it feels people do that to me with prayer.
For me, if I say I'm praying for you, it's just that I believe in prayer it has worked for me and I feel its one of the best things I can do it's not me saying you need religion or me trying to force my religion on you. However, I'm not going to stop saying I'll pray for you, or stop praying because it makes people mad. I feel like if someone says they're praying for you, whether you believe or not, you should just say thank you because to them they're doing what they believe in and what they believe will help. I don't see why people should get disrespected for their beliefs or called names because they believe in prayer.
27 people like this
26 responses
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
22 Sep 17
I don't believe in god, and I'm not religious. But I don't mind others who are saying they'll pray for me. I just say thanks, or sometimes even ignore it.
The only thing religious people do that does make me mad, is when they try to push their religion, bible, etc on me. But just saying they'll pray.. thats nothing to get mad over.
Sad you had to see that from your family.
7 people like this
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
22 Sep 17
@skydream right. Good post too by the way.
3 people like this
@skydream (1446)
• Agate, Colorado
22 Sep 17
I don't find it weird at all. There's a lot of us who pray for people we know and people we don't. If we see someone on here or facebook having a problem many of us will pray for them so I don't see how talking about pray or God on here or facebook is weird.
4 people like this
@tammys85 (29952)
• Baltimore, Maryland
23 Sep 17
You mean like when someone is going through something difficult, and people are like "You're in my prayers"? No, I don't get mad. I know they mean well and it's their own way of sending well wishes, so I appreciate the thought behind it.
5 people like this
@skydream (1446)
• Agate, Colorado
28 Sep 17
Yes like that. Like if someone posts they're going through a hard time or ask for positive thoughts and someone says I'm praying for you.
If it's the rude kind where people don't agree with something you do and say I'm praying for you in like a rude way that's def wrong.
1 person likes this
@sabtraversa (12938)
• Italy
22 Sep 17
Exactly, people just want to tell you they care, and they do that their own way.
I can't get mad at good intentions, I may disapprove them but I doubt a prayer is going to hurt anyway.
6 people like this
@FourWalls (62145)
• United States
23 Sep 17
You make a good point. If people don’t want to hear that someone is praying for them, that’s fine. They can’t stop it, though.
I think — and this needs to be said — that a lot of people see “good Christian folks” saying “I’ll pray for you” then not doing anything. That may be what they object to, and I agree. If someone’s hungry, don’t “pray for them,” buy them a sandwich!
4 people like this
@dodo19 (47066)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
23 Sep 17
I'll admit that I don't pray or believe in God, but that doesn't mean that I think it's wrong to believe in God or pray. If someone tells me that they'll pray for me, I won't be offended. I won't get upset or anything like that. I'll just thank the person and leave it at that. I do appreciate the sentiment.
3 people like this
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
23 Sep 17
In my country it is the done thing for elders in the family to pray for the well being of the youngsters. We get sweets , flowers ,kumum and other stuff from temples regularly sent by family members who visit shrines although I don't do that because I am.not religious..here what matters more than belief is the thought and care behind their action and I feel honored .
3 people like this
@ckyera (17332)
• Philippines
23 Sep 17
For me its a good thing that someone is praying for me because it means they care. I also believe that prayers will be more effective if we have faith.
For other people who gets mad well, we can't do anything because that's their belief. And another thing, sometimes it also depends on the situation and how we say things...
3 people like this
@skydream (1446)
• Agate, Colorado
28 Sep 17
Oh definitely. The tone, situation, wording etc can affect how someone reacts. In the cases of someone going through something and people going I'm sorry, If you need anything let me know I'll pray for you, those type of things I don't think someone should get mad or offended over.
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
22 Sep 17
People need to get with the program..people are not going to stop praying and thats that..everyone gets offended too easily.
3 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
23 Sep 17
I agree with you, its an honor to be prayed for, whether a believer or not. I do believe in prayer and God, I have seen his miracles.
However, since we live in the land of free, we do have freedom of religion or no religion at all. Some people have given up on God especially when they have handicap children,have been affected by the terrible weather or because of war.
I will as you will keep praying and our father in heaven will have our backs, pray for others as you always have.
3 people like this
@skydream (1446)
• Agate, Colorado
28 Sep 17
Definitely. I'll keep praying for people, if I know they don't want to be told that then I'll do it silently. As you said based on situations that peopel go through it may make them give up on them, I just would hope they wouldn't get mad if someone who does believe prays for them.
@SerenityEngel (525)
• United Kingdom
23 Sep 17
I say thank you. I'm not religious, but I don't mind it. I am grateful they are thinking of me and wish to help. the power of positive thoughts are a good thing.
3 people like this
@SerenityEngel (525)
• United Kingdom
29 Sep 17
@skydream Good wishes and prayers can't do any of us any harm. There's so much negativity in the world as there is.
@skydream (1446)
• Agate, Colorado
28 Sep 17
Those types are very unnecessary and I don't think they should do that. I think if someones going through a rough time and the person says they pray for you that's okay. The ones that just randomly say it don't need to
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
22 Sep 17
I also believe that prayer has a lot of value. However, this world is becoming more anti-God and anything having to do with God. So, you will have to stay strong to keep your spirituality and faith. (See Jude 3)
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
23 Sep 17
@skydream It will only get worse. We need to make sure that our faith is build on solid ground and we need to shore it up every day as there will lots of things happening in the days ahead to shake our faith and trust in the living God.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40523)
• United States
22 Sep 17
This is a great post, Cait. When someone has problems, there are a lot of practical ways we can help. But to me, praying for someone is the very best thing I can do. That doesn't mean that we pray and then sit back and not help where we can.
I also personally know the power of praying to a loving Creator. There are examples in the Bible where God changed his mind after someone prayed. (When Jonah interceded for the Ninevites, when Moses pleaded for the Israelites, and many others.)
God doesn't always answer our prayers the way we think we want, but we have to trust him as a loving Father. So, like you said, just because someone doesn't want my prayers, they might not hear them, but I'll be praying anyway.
3 people like this
@skydream (1446)
• Agate, Colorado
22 Sep 17
Thank you!
I feel like that's something people assume and get wrong a lot they assume people pray and then do nothing but I know plenty of people who pray and do as much as they can on top of that. I believe your prayer gets answered but like you said not always the way we want. But I think praying is something powerful and if someone says they're praying for you then just say thanks don't get angry
2 people like this
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
22 Sep 17
If they are asking for prayers, then tell them you are praying for them. I think there's nothing wrong to tell it if they also believe in prayers. For others who think otherwise, I respect them too!
3 people like this
@rubyriaz007 (4188)
• India
23 Sep 17
I don't get mad when someone prays for me...
3 people like this
