"I don't consent to your prayers."

[PureX]

Knothead on TikTok

Found a video on tiktok where someone, in a comment, responded to some evangelical Christians that they don't consent to their prayers. The evangelical Christians then made a video specifically praying for that individual despite their wishes. The video linked above is another Christian minister condemning that action as selfish, displaying false piety and even taking the Lord's name in vain.

Personally I don't have a horse in this race, I don't care if people pray for me and view it at best as functionally equivalent of well wishing, at worse as harmful as praying to Bruce Almighty.

But what do you think? Would you as a non-christian ask Christians to not pray for you, especially the passive aggressive 'I'll pray you change your mind?' As Christians would you respect the wishes of someone who asked you to not pray for them? Also, if you have another theistic belief, do you pray for people?

It's an interesting issue.

On the one hand I see prayer as an "inside job", so to speak. Something we do within and for ourselves, even when we are directing our best intentions, gratitude, hopes, or whatever, toward someone else. So if someone tells me that they are praying for me, I'd see that as being really their own internal matter. Not mine.

Yet in the example you gave, ego was obviously involved as the main motive. And ego is almost always trying to puff itself up by putting someone else down. "Me, the mighty righteous believer will now pray for you, the poor lost sinner" sort of thing. Which will quite naturally bring on a negative response, as it's insulting.

So as with most things, I guess, "the devil is in the details". Or more specifically, is in the intent. If it's sincere and well meaning, I suspect most of us will be OK with it even if we are not 'believers'.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Praying for someone isn't passive aggressive, but telling them pointedly as if bragging that you will disregard their wishes and pray for them could be. It has an element of condescension like you know better than them what is good for them. As it is the purpose of prayer is self transformation not the transformation of others, however this is a widely misunderstood concept. A relevant quote from the gospels is "...first take out the log from your own eye, and then you will see clearly the speck in your brother's eye."

 

[Polymath257]

When someone asks if they can pray for me, I generally answer 'I can't stop you' or 'If you feel like it'. If I feel that they are being passive aggressive, I will go to 'Please don't waste your time'.

That said, people usually say 'I will pray for you' as a way of saying 'I hope it works out for you' and I'll take it in that way.

 

[Left Coast]

Knothead on TikTok

Found a video on tiktok where someone, in a comment, responded to some evangelical Christians that they don't consent to their prayers. The evangelical Christians then made a video specifically praying for that individual despite their wishes. The video linked above is another Christian minister condemning that action as selfish, displaying false piety and even taking the Lord's name in vain.

Personally I don't have a horse in this race, I don't care if people pray for me and view it at best as functionally equivalent of well wishing, at worse as harmful as praying to Bruce Almighty.

But what do you think? Would you as a non-christian ask Christians to not pray for you, especially the passive aggressive 'I'll pray you change your mind?' As Christians would you respect the wishes of someone who asked you to not pray for them? Also, if you have another theistic belief, do you pray for people?

I have a few thoughts. On the one hand, saying you're going to pray for someone who doesn't share your faith can often be a condescending way to say "you're wrong and I hope you see the error of your ways." Other times it's a genuine expression of concern or goodwill (that person may truly want you to recover from your illness, or get that new job, etc.). So whether I would really care if someone prayed for me depends on the context.

On the other hand, you can't control whether someone else prays for you. So saying "I don't consent to your prayers" seems like a very silly Gen Z sort of way of objecting to things that don't affect you other than to perhaps offend. And if you tell someone on the internet not to offend you, guess what's gonna happen?

In short, both sides seem somewhat juvenile here. If you're gonna pray for someone, do it the way Jesus said in the privacy of your own room. If you're offended by prayer...go outside and get some air.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Just comes down to intent, for me, since I don't believe prayer actually DOES anything.
Pray for my health and safety? Seems nice enough. Pray I'll stop being a heathen and God won't have to consign me and my kids to Hell? That seems a little passive aggressive.

Not that I'd care much in either case, but that would inform my thoughts about the prayer giver

 

[Twilight Hue]

Knothead on TikTok

Found a video on tiktok where someone, in a comment, responded to some evangelical Christians that they don't consent to their prayers. The evangelical Christians then made a video specifically praying for that individual despite their wishes. The video linked above is another Christian minister condemning that action as selfish, displaying false piety and even taking the Lord's name in vain.

Personally I don't have a horse in this race, I don't care if people pray for me and view it at best as functionally equivalent of well wishing, at worse as harmful as praying to Bruce Almighty.

But what do you think? Would you as a non-christian ask Christians to not pray for you, especially the passive aggressive 'I'll pray you change your mind?' As Christians would you respect the wishes of someone who asked you to not pray for them? Also, if you have another theistic belief, do you pray for people?

I kinda think that would be a very silly thing to get bothered over so no, I don't mind if someone says a prayer.

 

[Altfish]

Knothead on TikTok

Found a video on tiktok where someone, in a comment, responded to some evangelical Christians that they don't consent to their prayers. The evangelical Christians then made a video specifically praying for that individual despite their wishes. The video linked above is another Christian minister condemning that action as selfish, displaying false piety and even taking the Lord's name in vain.

Personally I don't have a horse in this race, I don't care if people pray for me and view it at best as functionally equivalent of well wishing, at worse as harmful as praying to Bruce Almighty.

But what do you think? Would you as a non-christian ask Christians to not pray for you, especially the passive aggressive 'I'll pray you change your mind?' As Christians would you respect the wishes of someone who asked you to not pray for them? Also, if you have another theistic belief, do you pray for people?

If I needed help, I'd prefer that people did something useful for me, rather than mutter some words.
It is like when people say, "My thoughts and prayers are with you", great but how about donating a first aid kit, mending the puncture, etc.

 

[Rival]

In short, both sides seem somewhat juvenile here. If you're gonna pray for someone, do it the way Jesus said in the privacy of your own room. If you're offended by prayer...go outside and get some air.

This.

 

[Father Heathen]

If I needed help, I'd prefer that people did something useful for me, rather than mutter some words.
It is like when people say, "My thoughts and prayers are with you", great but how about donating a first aid kit, mending the puncture, etc.

"Thoughts and prayers" have become a sort of meme in the U.S., especially in regards to tragedies such as mass shootings. Politicians will often offer their "thoughts and prayers" instead of vowing to actually work toward solutions.

 

[JustGeorge]

If I needed help, I'd prefer that people did something useful for me, rather than mutter some words.
It is like when people say, "My thoughts and prayers are with you", great but how about donating a first aid kit, mending the puncture, etc.

I think sometimes its what people say when they can't do anything about it.

Grandma might say she'll pray for me for some of my daily obstacles with the kids. I can't fairly say "well jump in and help!" because she's nearing 90 years old and in a wheelchair. What can she do? So, I thank her for her sentiments. It makes her feel she's doing something(even though she really can't).

It would be annoying if Dad said it, because he can come over and take the boys for a walk while I attend to an urgent need. He can do something.

Its obnoxious if people are using it as a cop out. However, when a person really can't do anything, I see no point in denying them this.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

The fact that I don't pray does not mean that I can't hope -- and I always hold out hope for those who are in need of it.

And if people who do pray do so in hopes that I might benefit somehow, it would be a terrible ingratitude on my part to resent it.

 

[Aštra’el]

Again, since I dont believe your (especially) juvenile edgelord gods exist except in the minds of mostly counter-culture arrested development people, you praying to them doesn't really make a difference to me. So feel free if you wanted to.

However, since I wouldn't be honored at all, you're also welcome to keep me in the 'never' category.

Why would I ever mention you to my gods? You are of no particular importance. You have nothing to do with my religion, my spirituality, or my way of life.

When I pray, it does not involve begging for things to happen without taking action myself, or petitioning on others’ behalf for them to change their ways. My “prayers” involve inspiration and direction. Illumination. Reflection, on who I am and who I am becoming. Contemplation of True Will. Equanimity. Discipline over emotion. Focus, on priority objectives. Awareness, of the present. Decisiveness, when there are many ways forward. Gratitude. Reverence. Exaltation.

When people pray to their God(s) for me, often complete strangers who may mean nothing to me… I am honored. Deeply. It makes no difference who their gods are or what their religion is. They pray for the unworthy, the undeserving and the unrepentant. I have great respect for that.

 

[RAYYAN]

Knothead on TikTok

Found a video on tiktok where someone, in a comment, responded to some evangelical Christians that they don't consent to their prayers. The evangelical Christians then made a video specifically praying for that individual despite their wishes. The video linked above is another Christian minister condemning that action as selfish, displaying false piety and even taking the Lord's name in vain.

Personally I don't have a horse in this race, I don't care if people pray for me and view it at best as functionally equivalent of well wishing, at worse as harmful as praying to Bruce Almighty.

But what do you think? Would you as a non-christian ask Christians to not pray for you, especially the passive aggressive 'I'll pray you change your mind?' As Christians would you respect the wishes of someone who asked you to not pray for them? Also, if you have another theistic belief, do you pray for people?

I am a Muslim, and I don't mind anyone of different religions praying for me, even If I don't believe in their prayers and their religion.
I actually appreciate it and thank them out of politeness and showing my appreciation because they cared.

Also, I believe God can accept prayers from a Muslim and a Non-Muslim. Who am I to judge and read the mind of God
Occasionally, I ask other of different religions to pray for me

 

[IndigoChild5559]

Knothead on TikTok

Found a video on tiktok where someone, in a comment, responded to some evangelical Christians that they don't consent to their prayers. The evangelical Christians then made a video specifically praying for that individual despite their wishes. The video linked above is another Christian minister condemning that action as selfish, displaying false piety and even taking the Lord's name in vain.

Personally I don't have a horse in this race, I don't care if people pray for me and view it at best as functionally equivalent of well wishing, at worse as harmful as praying to Bruce Almighty.

But what do you think? Would you as a non-christian ask Christians to not pray for you, especially the passive aggressive 'I'll pray you change your mind?' As Christians would you respect the wishes of someone who asked you to not pray for them? Also, if you have another theistic belief, do you pray for people?

I think we should respect people's wishes. If they say "Don't pray for me," then DON'T.

I would not want i.e. a polytheist praying for me or a Satanist praying for me, etc. So if someone doesn't want a christian praying for them, those wishes should similarly be respected.

 

[SomeRandom]

If they want to "pray for me", I can always just tell them and I'll "cast a spell on you". And see their reactions.

Lol I read “I cast a spell on you” as “I put a spell on you” and did so in Bette Midlers’ singing voice.

 

[Brian2]

A Christian wanted to pray for my health a few days ago. I said, please don't, because I know God takes care of me, so if I allow you to pray for me, that would mean that I don't have faith in God taking the best care of me already

He agreed with me

You could use that reason not to pray at all.
The Bible tells us to pray about everything to God however.

 

[stvdv]

You could use that reason not to pray at all.
The Bible tells us to pray about everything to God however.

God told me personally "I take care of you"

Which I told him, adding "There is no need to pray for me"

You think my reply was not correct?

 

[Brian2]

God told me personally "I take care of you"

Which I told him, adding "There is no need to pray for me"

You think my reply was not correct?

You told God that He did not need to pray for you?
Hmm
God says in the Bible that He takes care of us. That does not mean that we should not pray and tell God what we need, even though He knows. It is a relationship and prayer is not really to let God know stuff but to have that relationship and allow God to speak to us and teach us about what is important and how we should be praying, which may require listening much of the time.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

God told me personally "I take care of you"

Which I told him, adding "There is no need to pray for me"

You think my reply was not correct?

You cannot trust God to take care of you. There are a great many believers and ethical people who do not have their basic needs met. Some even starve to death.

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

Knothead on TikTok

Found a video on tiktok where someone, in a comment, responded to some evangelical Christians that they don't consent to their prayers. The evangelical Christians then made a video specifically praying for that individual despite their wishes. The video linked above is another Christian minister condemning that action as selfish, displaying false piety and even taking the Lord's name in vain.

Personally I don't have a horse in this race, I don't care if people pray for me and view it at best as functionally equivalent of well wishing, at worse as harmful as praying to Bruce Almighty.

But what do you think? Would you as a non-christian ask Christians to not pray for you, especially the passive aggressive 'I'll pray you change your mind?' As Christians would you respect the wishes of someone who asked you to not pray for them? Also, if you have another theistic belief, do you pray for people?

I mean this seems to me like it's just someone trying to get more views. It's the game people play on social media. Ultimately if someone says they'll pray for you I'm not even sure why it would cross your mind to reject it. I get that if you are not religious it's kind of weird but you already know that the kind of person who passively aggressively says they are going to pray for you isn't going to just not because you asked. Those people tend to be the sort that don't actually care about your feelings and are more doing it as a way to convey their "righteousness" rather than anything else.

Of course I cannot say for certain that is what is going on there it just seems like it. I've had Christians say they'll pray for me and that is fine. I've noticed that they don't seem to know what to do next if I just say " Cool, thanks."