I Will Pray for You

[Dan From Smithville]

I'm gay, and I've been told by people I know that they'll pray for me in a context that makes it clear that they're praying for me to be straight or "repent" of my "lifestyle." That's annoying, since there's nothing wrong with gayness.

If people say they'll pray for me with genuine good will, then I think it's nice.

That is the type of situation I have seen occur on rare occasions where the offer of prayer was rendered more like a parting shot across the bow.

It isn't common, but people seem to find their ways to get their pound somehow.

 

[We Never Know]

If people felt that strongly that they would like to pray for me, I'd tell them not to bother but do something useful instead like donating a little cash to a worthy charity.

What if they couldn't afford cash and prayer is all they have to give?

 

[Viker]

I don't have a problem with it.

I joke, and it's just a joke, that I would rather they pray to me instead. But that's probably too much to ask. I suppose.

 

[ChristineM]

Are you offended if someone tells you they'll pray for you?

If it's used as abuse or insult yes.

Would you be offended if someone asks if they could pray for you?

No I'd tell them not to bother.

How does another's prayer affect you?

It doesn't unless they use prayer as abuse or insult.

There could be someone praying for you at this very moment. Are you offended?

Highly unlikely,

 

[ChristineM]

What if they couldn't afford cash and prayer is all they have to give?

Don't bother wasting time

 

[Revoltingest]

Are you offended if someone tells you they'll pray for you?

Meh...

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

Are you offended if someone tells you they'll pray for you?

Yes, I am.

Would you be offended if someone asks if they could pray for you?

Yes, I would be.

How does another's prayer affect you?

In my experience, much of the prayer was given maliciously and was verbally abusive. I've been the target of this kind of prayer throughout my life.

There could be someone praying for you at this very moment. Are you offended?

Yes, I am. The thought is unsettling to me because I spent forty years of my life devoutly praying to the biblical God, only to end up empty-handed with feelings of hopelessness and despair. I prayed to be protected from being abused at home, but my prayers went unanswered. I prayed to be protected from relentless bullying and harassment in school, but my prayers went unanswered. I have prayed for close friends who were dying, but they were never healed, and they died a painful death. I've seen close friends suffer or die painful deaths despite my prayers or the prayers of many others. As a result of these traumatizing experiences, I don't believe in prayer, and I feel that it is a waste of time. I'd rather someone help me than waste time praying for me.

Personally, I have no problem with someone praying for me. Their prayer is about them; it's not about me. I've had lots of people tell me they'll pray for me. I don't recall ever having been harmed by it.

I think that you are very fortunate to never have been harmed or emotionally affected by it.

I struggle to understand why people are so concerned about what others are doing.

If someone tells me that they will pray for me despite my objections, then it shows me that they don't care about me or my feelings. It shows me that they are more interested in pompously showing off with a holier-than-thou attitude than they are in my emotional well-being. I find this to be very offensive.

 

[Vinayaka]

It depends on context for me. If I'm ill, and my friends pray for a speedy recovery, that's fine, and I'd do the same for them. Most likely they won't tell me about it anyway. But if some loudmouth obnoxious street preacher yells at me, saying he is going to pray I don't go to hell, of prays that I finally see the light of Jesus Christ, than yeah, it bothers me somewhat. Not the prayer, but that people are that pushy on the planet to think they know something about life that I don't.

 

[MikeF]

Are you offended if someone tells you they'll pray for you?

Would you be offended if someone asks if they could pray for you?

How does another's prayer affect you?

There could be someone praying for you at this very moment. Are you offended?

Personally, I have no problem with someone praying for me. Their prayer is about them; it's not about me. I've had lots of people tell me they'll pray for me. I don't recall ever having been harmed by it.

I struggle to understand why people are so concerned about what others are doing.

No problem. Pray away.

 

[PureX]

I just say, "Thank you."

 

[VoidCat]

When you pray for someone be it their wellbeing or harm it's for your god to change something in many cases.

Some may find this offensive to do without consent as to them it's an attempt to infringe on their autonomy.

I think most have problem with prayer because of trauma surrounding folk trying to infringe on the persons autonomy to make their own decisions or to be themselves. It's done without their consent this attempt to change them. And sometimes it's used to manipulate. As abuse

Would folk like this feel better if they are asked first if prayer is ok? I don't know depends on the person. But doing that may help give the person you praying for a say on how you are attempting to ask your god to change their life.

 

[We Never Know]

When you pray for someone be it their wellbeing or harm it's for your god to change something in many cases.

Some may find this offensive to do without consent as to them it's an attempt to infringe on their autonomy.

I think most have problem with prayer because of trauma surrounding folk trying to infringe on the persons autonomy to make their own decisions or to be themselves. It's done without their consent this attempt to change them. And sometimes it's used to manipulate. As abuse

Would folk like this feel better if they are asked first if prayer is ok? I don't know depends on the person. But doing that may help give the person you praying for a say on how you are attempting to ask your god to change their life.

"it's an attempt to infringe on their autonomy"

But if they don't believe a god exists,,, how can it infringe?

 

[VoidCat]

I wonder...how do folk feel regarding being prayed about rather than for? Imma make a thread on this so not to derail this one.

Edit: said thread: Praying about someone

 

[VoidCat]

"it's an attempt to infringe on their autonomy"

But if they don't believe a god exists,,, how can it infringe?

Doesn't matter. The intent is still there.

 

[We Never Know]

Doesn't matter. The intent is still there.

As with luck and wishes right?
.. best of luck and wishing you the best.

 

[Heyo]

Are you offended if someone tells you they'll pray for you?

Would you be offended if someone asks if they could pray for you?

How does another's prayer affect you?

There could be someone praying for you at this very moment. Are you offended?

Personally, I have no problem with someone praying for me. Their prayer is about them; it's not about me. I've had lots of people tell me they'll pray for me. I don't recall ever having been harmed by it.

I struggle to understand why people are so concerned about what others are doing.

I don't feel offended when people pray for me since I don't (can't) do that myself.
But when I say that I think for them since they ...
- then they feel offended.

 

[VoidCat]

As with luck and wishes right?
.. best of luck and wishing you the best.

You forgot the rest of my post. Wishing luck doesn't ever really come with trauma. But prayer sometimes can be done with in situations with religious trauma.

I think most have problem with prayer because of trauma surrounding folk trying to infringe on the persons autonomy to make their own decisions or to be themselves. It's done without their consent this attempt to change them. And sometimes it's used to manipulate. As abuse

You push aside the effects of how badly some situations like this can effect people.
Edit: I've never heard of wishing luck being used negatively or in a traumatic way. I have however heard of prayer being used that way. Here's a situation from my own life

I attended a Pentecostal Church with my foster parent. This was a regular occurrence...in order for me to attend due to my autism I would bring these big headphones. It would be too loud otherwise and I wouldn't know whats going on plus I would be in pain without them. I forgot them one day. So I stood in the back behind these glass doors. Past the glass doors is where the church pews and service was held. I could hear what was going on altho due to how loud it was and such I had issues processing it. I watch them do this weird thing I didn't understand and hadn't seen before. A person would go up to the pastor the pastor would put their hands on said person say something and the person would fall down. I asked someone about it and they said they were sacrificed. Either that or they said sanctified and my issues with auditory processing got to me. The latter was more likely but with my questions about what she meant regarding sacrificed she decided to not clarify and got mad.Later I did research think it was a practice called slain in the spirit? Anyway since I didn't know what was going on I decided to go find my foster parent and ask her about it. I regretted it almost immediately. I was flapping my hands using vocal stimming trying to ignore the pain of all the sounds looking for my foster parent. The pastor saw me and gestured for me to come forth. I did said I was looking for my foster parent. She said something I didn't understand gestured for me to come closer. She said a bunch of words anointed my head, lead me back and placed her hand on my forehead. I had to resist the urge to scream cuz I was already over stimulated I did not need someone touching me. I caught 4 words only with what she said. Autism. Struggle. Holy Ghost. I was so confused as to what was going on. After that was over I had a meltdown. Too much stimulation

When I posted this a long time ago a lot of people suggested it may have been a faith healing that I never wouldve consented to. Does praying about changing a fundemental part of someone that they never wanted change without consent sound similar to wishing luck?

 

[Secret Chief]

Are you offended if someone tells you they'll pray for you?

Would you be offended if someone asks if they could pray for you?

How does another's prayer affect you?

There could be someone praying for you at this very moment. Are you offended?

Personally, I have no problem with someone praying for me. Their prayer is about them; it's not about me. I've had lots of people tell me they'll pray for me. I don't recall ever having been harmed by it.

I struggle to understand why people are so concerned about what others are doing.

I'd be as concerned as if they'd said they were going to do a little jig for me.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I'd be as concerned as if they'd said they were going to do a little jig for me.

Would it matter if they were just wearing a pair of my Speedos?

 

[Secret Chief]

Would it matter if they were just wearing a pair of my Speedos?

I'd wonder how you'd managed to get through Airport Customs.