Have you ever been told,"I will pray for you"

[torimandy]

I find every time anyone has ever said, " I will pray for you" that it's no more than a way for someone to say they aren't going to do crap for you, but they are going to feel good about it because they get to say they are doing something all the time investing nothing into you.

Thoughts?

 

[GottaGo]

Well I'm thankful at least they say they will pray for me. It's better than saying nothing. I'm sure they are all good people but just don't know how to help out.

 

[BitterlyAlive_]

I guess it depends on who's telling me and how they say it. Generally I see it as something hardly above a platitude. I'll accept it, because it's a kind gesture. But if it's coming from someone who I know has faith (um won't get into that), has really listened to me talk about whatever they're praying for, things like that... It means a lot more and is greatly appreciated.

Of course, it can also feel like they're being condescending and virtue signaling, as you've said in your post. It really varies for me.

 

[torimandy]

I guess it depends on who's telling me and how they say it. Generally I see it as something hardly above a platitude. I'll accept it, because it's a kind gesture. But if it's coming from someone who I know has faith (um won't get into that), has really listened to me talk about whatever they're praying for, things like that... It means a lot more and is greatly appreciated.

Of course, it can also feel like they're being condescending and virtue signaling, as you've said in your post. It really varies for me.

To me it is always given as a way to dismiss me and being told while we may have resources to help you, this is the best you are ever going to get from us. There we did nothing and get to feel good about ourselves in the exchange.

 

[BitterlyAlive_]

To me it is always given as a way to dismiss me and being told while we may have resources to help you, this is the best you are ever going to get from us. There we did nothing and get to feel good about ourselves in the exchange.

I understand what you mean and why you feel that way.

 

[torimandy]

Well I'm thankful at least they say they will pray for me. It's better than saying nothing. I'm sure they are all good people but just don't know how to help out.

I see it as nothing more than a person able to use it as a way to say no they won't help you, but by throwing in the pray for you they get to feel good about really doing nothing of substance.

 

[GottaGo]

I see it as nothing more than a person able to use it as a way to say no they won't help you, but by throwing in the pray for you they get to feel good about really doing nothing of substance.

Even if that's true I can't blame them. Everyone has their lives to worry about and not caring is not a crime. I just believe they truly think praying might help out. My mom is Christian and she prays for everything. She seem very sincere when she prays so that changes my opinion about this. but hey, we all have different opinions. Just hope we all find peace somehow.

 

[Fragile]

I'm not religious, but what you have to understand is that many religious people believe from the bottom of their hearths that this will actually help you and they will go and pray as a way to hope your life gets better, I get that this gesture is something that you don't value because frankly, you won't see any benefit from it, but some of them are legit taking their time to "help" this way.

Sure, there are many people who just use this phrase as a way to dismiss you, helping someone who struggles is hard, and no one is obligated to help anyway, it's better than saying nothing I guess.

 

[Deleted member 25174]

I tell people I'll put them in my prayers and then actually say a little prayer for them then and whenever I think about people I say it to. I'm not particularly religious but I know that it gives comfort to the people I say it to and then I follow through because otherwise I feel like a guilty little liar. I'm praying for them now because it's been brought to my attention. It's for them not me. My mate always says it's cute when she heard me tell customers but I only say it to the ones I already know are religious
It's really another way of telling people you're thinking about them because my prayers aren't to a god in the sky

 

[ihavetoleave]

I think it means they care, or want you to feel guilty for being such a disaster or both. Regardless each time I've heard this it hasn't helped miraculously. Prayers were made for me several times last year and things got worse and worse still. I wish it was something that could work, like help someone else could send you by simply worrying and sending positive thoughts.

 

[EmptyManForever]

Yes and it never helped me in anyway

 

[WornOutLife]

Yeah, I have. I thank them but ignore them. After all, I believe in nothing.
However, some of them might really pray and wanna help so that's nice of them.

 

[Meditation guide]

It's a condescending put down. No more than that. The first time I hear that it was a nun, first nun I ever spoke to, and I was shocked, horrified and confused when I heard it. I still don't know why she said it. But I understood it was a way of saying fuck you. What we had discussed had nothing to do with her needing to "pray for me".

And it's clear they do not really mean they actually will do that.

 

[Symbiote]

I sometimes reply back with..."Sure, I'll pray for you too" "Ave Satanas!"

 

[daddy Phil :)]

For some reason it makes me really mad inside, I just personally think praying won't help anything and it would be stupid to fix problems like that. I was a christian and I think people should help eachother the best they can instead of praying, it's like saying "I don't want to deal with this" and I feel like (if there is a God) that would be kinda disrespectfull to ask for help instead of trying to help yourself. I do think it's better than actually doing nothing because at least for me that says that they do care for a part.

 

[Thanatonaut]

I'm an atheist, and I used to get all butthurt when someone said that to me, but it was so much wasted energy. Now I just say thanks and move on. Makes them feel better, doesn't cost me anything, and I go about my way.

 

[hellodarkness]

Idk I'm a (bad) Catholic so I've heard it a lot. I generally assume it's that person expressing that they hope things get better for you.

 

[NodusTollens]

Argh! Oh, that got me hot, my hands are legitimately shaking as I type this. Wow, that triggered the shit outta me.

Yes- yes I have, & I couldn't agree more. I try not to be combative, so I accept it- but internally I cringe. It's always felt more like a way to absolve someone of their guilt or feelings of responsibility regarding a particular situation.

 

[the_final_countdown]

I like it. As an expression of love and sympathy and care.

I don't think it'll resolve my problems, but it's an acknowledgement of them.

"I understand you're suffering and I hope Fate helps you overcome it."

 

[Meditation guide]

If they want to pray for me just do it don't tell me about it. It's virtue signaling.

 

[ixkitty]

When someone says they will pray for me, it depends on who they are. If it's a stranger that knows I'm struggling with...something - I think they are praying in hopes I get better.. If it's some asshole being a bitch ... well I know what they mean.. Kind of like the southern "bless your heart"

 

[Teal_Blue_Dreams]

Hate it. Fuck that!

 

[Viov]

While I am not religious and personally don't think praying for someone really helps with anything I do accept that others truly believe and that it may be their means of offering help and show they care. So since it doesn't do say harm why not? Though I never know what to reply when someone says that they will keep me in their prayers... ‍

 

[Ghost2211]

Depends who's saying it. Sometimes it means "I hope things get better" "thinking of you" "I feel helpless and wish I could help" "I'm sad that you are suffering", and other things of that nature. It's not always meant to brush people off, and can come from good intentions. Sometimes they sympathize, but don't know how to talk about feelings. I can see how it rubs people the wrong way when certain people say it, but I think a lot of the time there is misguided kindness behind it. I just say thank you and move on.

 

[Hopeindeath!]

I'm grateful if anyone prays for me.

 

[shadowchaser]

I don't know, I've been told it, and on one hand it's nice to know that they care, but on the other hand, this quote by Robert Brault:

"I do not dispute that God speaks to you but I am dubious that He speaks to you for the purpose of relaying instructions to me."

 

[Miss_Takes]

I figure I need all the damn help I can get and someone sending up a prayer to whichever deity floats their boat cant hurt in any way.
I do understand that some who have experienced specific harm from any religious organisation may be negatively triggered by this statement though so I try to remember that and simply say 'youre in my thoughts'. Essentially that is all I attribute the statement to mean anyway ... that someone is thinking kindly towards me.

I was raised Catholic.

 

[peacechoice]

It pisses me off. Why be grateful that they prayed for you? No, it's a way of saying fuck off. They don't wan to help you. It's basically telling you to fuck off because you don't matter. No one likes you anyways.

 

[newave3]

If someone told me that I would reply, " Pray that I find an easy way to die soon".

 

[Going Home]

I find every time anyone has ever said, " I will pray for you" that it's no more than a way for someone to say they aren't going to do crap for you, but they are going to feel good about it because they get to say they are doing something all the time investing nothing into you.

Thoughts?

They never gave a fuck.