When someone says, "I'll pray for you," do you think there will be

[MineralMan]

an actual prayer from that person? Especially if that person isn't a close friend or family member.

I don't. I see such disposable expressions as little more than a way to dismiss empathy and concern by offering to do something that really won't happen. I doubt that such prayers are typically raised at a later time by most people who offer that expression.

For those who do practice a religion: Do you actually offer up a genuine prayer to your deity that specifically requests something for the person you said that to? Or do you consider the statement to be a prayer in itself?

Personally, I never would say that, since I am an atheist. Instead, I ask if there is anything I can do to help and otherwise express my concern for the problem the person I'm talking to has. If there is something I can do, I will do it. If my genuine concern is of any help or comfort, I am glad.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

1. Not if it's someone I don't know -

I've been proselytized by strangers and been told they'll pray for me when I give them short shrift. To that I say I won't hold my breath, LOL.

I do know some Christians who practice what they believe Jesus taught (personally I don't believe Jesus existed) by performing charitable works for their fellow men and women. I don't have a problem if they say they'll pray for me for whatever reason, even though I don't believe it'll do any good, because I know they have loving intentions (and yes, they will pray for me, not just say they will) and they're prepared to do more than pray.

[Merlot]

2. prayer equals "excuse my inaction"

Saying "is there anything I can do?" is more helpful. Concern for a problem and listening is the best that anyone can do.

[msongs]

3. god commits mass murders and the superstitious pray for it to not do so lol nt

[yallerdawg]

4. It has been my experience...

that when someone says, "I'll pray for you," they actually WILL include you in their prayers and if you grabbed their hands and asked, "Would you?" they'd do it right then and there!

I know people who pray publically and out loud and include everyone present before EVERY meal, who open every gathering of any kind with a prayer - including Democratic political rallies! - and end everyday in prayerful reflection. This includes all family and friends, everyone - religious or not!

There's no stopping them, there's no expression of discomfort, there's no putting an end to it.

If you told them you were an atheist, THEY"D PRAY HARDER!

And since most people agree on this matter, you'll take a lonely stand.

What does it hurt?

[Mariana]

7. Do you think it's good that Christians do that?

It's in direct opposition to the words of Christ, who told his followers to pray in secret. Why spend so much time and energy making sure everyone know they're praying, and the contents of their prayers, when Christ very clearly said he didn't approve of such behavior?

[yallerdawg]

8. If you were a believer...

how would this not be the most important thing in your life every waking moment?

Jesus admonished the faithful not just to be "outwardly" religious but to have it come from the heart.

Matthew 6:1 - "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven."

[Mariana]

9. If I were a believer, I think I'd try very hard not to do

the things the Savior specifically told his followers not to do. You described people praying ostentatiously, not in secret as they were instructed. If I were a believer and it was the most important thing in my life every waking moment, would I want to take the chance that Christ didn't really mean what he's supposed to have said? I don't think so.

[yallerdawg]

10. He was taking a stand against hypocrisy and false witness.

Gospel means 'Good News.'

You may ignore the words, but that doesn't make what you say true.

What a twist - public profession of faith should not be conducted according to Christ at the Sermon on the Mount!

[Mariana]

11. Yes, he was, and it seems he was warning them.

Either how to avoid falling into hypocrisy, or how to avoid the appearance of hypocrisy, or both. The text is very clear. He doesn't say don't be a hypocrite. He says, "Do not be like the hypocrites." (NIV - are there any translations that say otherwise?) He doesn't say anything about motivations or intent on the part of his followers. He says don't do what they do. Go pray in secret instead.

ETA: "Prayer" and "Profession of faith" are not the same thing, and it is dishonest for you to pretend that they are. Telling someone, "I'm a Christian" is a profession of faith, but it is not a prayer.

[yallerdawg]

12. Most of what Christ said is considered 'parable.'

When he says in private or in secret, he isn't talking about a physical location.

He is talking about in your heart.

I suspect you believe these prayers are for particular things for particular individuals. But the prayers I am familiar with are asking for God's guidance and will, not for 'things.'

Jesus even taught a prayer, the 'Lord's Prayer.'

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

You can't do this "praying in secret."

[guillaumeb]

5. Your agenda is evident.

Starting here:

I don't. I see such disposable expressions as little more than a way to dismiss empathy and concern by offering to do something that really won't happen. I doubt that such prayers are typically raised at a later time by most people who offer that expression.

All projection with no proof. But you have the right to your projection.

And here:

If my genuine concern is of any help or comfort, I am glad.

Do you mean your genuine concern as opposed to the disposable expressions that you talked about earlier?

[edhopper]

13. What "agenda"

he is offering an opinion.

Then asking others to offer theirs.

It is called a discussion.

Of course this also brings up the question of what the prays do.
The all-knowing all-seeing God allows some misfortune to happen to you.
But one or two people ask him to help you out and he changes his mind?
You're not asking him, but a couple of others say "Hey God, could you do something for that guy."
And God goes "Oh sure, I hadn't noticed, but now I'll do something."

[MineralMan]

15. I'm not sure what you suppose my agenda to be.

Clearly, you have misidentified it, though, so you may not actually know. My agenda is to encourage mindfulness. My agenda is also to inspiring questions about things. If I accomplish those goals, I am ecstatic.

[Iggo]

6. ...I tell them either "Knock yourself out" or "Fuck you,too"...

...depending on context.

[Iggo]

14. To answer your question, that doesn't happen a lot where I am in SoCal.

Twice, in recent memory.

Once at work, and he's the one I told, "Knock yourself out." And I'm certain he did pray for me.

The other time was at a bus stop, and she got the "Fuck you, too." She may have ended up praying for me, but I don't think it was for a long healthy life, know'm say'n?