Just a quick question Re: "Prayer" comments on Facebook *edited*

[JanMichael]

When you see folks on Facebook post "Pray for (fill in the blank)" and it's someone that you haven't seen step foot in church for decades....what do you think? EDIT: I am not writing about personal issues- that I understand completely. I am writing about "Pray for .....victims of an event...or some newsworthy issue...." NOTHING personal. Personal? I understand that-

I never reply, nor hit like- but, what is it with all these people posting "pray about blah blah blah" comments? Does it somehow make them feel...what? Holy? Good about themselves?

I don't get it.

[Matariki]

1. WTF?

It's a sentiment of concern. Chill out.

[JanMichael]

3. I was waiting for the

"chill out" comment. Inevitable on DU since it's inception. Maybe that's another thread- or maybe you could just answer, "What did I write that makes you think I need to "chill out" ?"

It's a simple question. I am chill, and wondering-

[immoderate]

2. It means, "There's nothing else we can do."

--imm

[JanMichael]

4. I guess

I wonder if the constant stream of information these days makes people feel like they need to "do something?"

[Cal Carpenter]

5. Plenty of people pray who aren't part of an organized Christian faith

I don't worry about it. Like much I see on Facebook, I just skim past what doesn't interest or appeal to me.

If you want to know a particular person's motives you could ask them - we surely can't guess their motives (although you seem quick to try to do so...), but for the most part I would assume that many people can pray whether they believe in a Christian god or not, whether they regularly attend church or not, and that is between them and their God or whatever.

I often see requests for things like "prayers/vibes/good thoughts" when someone is in crisis or worried. I don't question it nor do I take offense to it.

[JanMichael]

6. ummm quick to try

to do so? You mean as in the past 7 years I have been wondering without ever asking?

I would say you are "quick to assume" that about me.

[Cal Carpenter]

11. Considering the 2 possibilities you offered

are both quite negative about these hypothetical people asking for hypothetical prayers, it seems you already think you know the answer to your question. Perhaps I'm misreading you but my first assumption, when I see someone worried about something and asking for prayers, is that they care but feel helpless, and this is one of the ways they express it. I certainly wouldn't assume selfishness and think their goal is to feel 'holy' or 'good about themselves'.

If you don't want to hear other people's thoughts on the matter, don't ask.

I can't help but think of the old adage about how when you point a finger at someone there are three fingers pointing back at you.



eta tl;dr version: Ask a loaded question, get a loaded answer.

[Syzygy321]

7. Some people are taught to ask God for things.

It helps them when they feel powerless. Draws them together with others. Makes them feel cared for and in good, divine hands. And then when bad things get worse, they feel like the bad outcome was God's will, and that helps them accept it.

Is that the answer you were looking for? I got nothin' else.

[Brickbat]

8. You don't have to go to church to pray.

[Texasgal]

9. Meh...

I always respond with kindness, just because they are asking me to pray doesn't mean they want me to move to Vatican and become a nun.

Sometimes, kindness is more important.

[RandiFan1290]

10. Pray all you want

We all know it's the 'Likes' that really save lives!

[JanMichael]

13. Heh

Yeah. No kidding.

I have a friend who is a Jewish Agnostic- out of the blue tonight, he posted about praying for a police officer that shot an unarmed man in a somewhat "famous" case. My first thought was "WTF?" My second thought was "drunk."

I never respond to weird "prayer requests," but I have watched them increase over the years, and frankly find it odd.

[valerief]

12. Facebook? Prayer? What are these strange words? nt

[REP]

14. This chart might help

[JanMichael]

15. I suspect that's true

nt

[840high]

16. Prayer is like chicken soup - It might help.

[Deadshot]

17. It means:

"I'll act like a care but I'll do absolutely nothing for you."

I find it really irritating when someone tells me they'll pray for me. No. You might as well tell me you'll do nothing for me. I'd rather have someone say "That sucks. I'm here if you need me". At least that person would be willing to do something.