I have a really negative reaction to people who say they will pray for me.

[erinlough]

I have always felt it, even when I was in a religion as a child. I've never understood why I couldn't pray for myself, and why people felt that if they prayed for me it would somehow work better. I am not religious, in fact over the years I have become anti-religion of any denomination. I do know I have a relationship with my higher power, and it may even be the God I grew up with. I know I am not alone in this world. When I pray, it is usually for understanding or strength, not a Christmas list of wants. My son, who is in a church, says I am being over sensitive so I am asking here, am I? Is it wrong to reject unwanted prayer intercession and how do I say that without being mean. I am serious about wanting an opinion.

[Thats my opinion]

1. "Christians are made 12 at a time"

The essence of anyone really wanting to follow Jesus is to be in partnership with others who are on the same path. We pray for each other, because holding each other in our hearts gives us a sensitivity to who they are. It is one of the blessings of community. The nature of life--and faith--is a need of one another. There are "just about me" disciplines. But I don't think Christian faith is one of them.

[ColesCountyDem]

2. It's not that our prayers are in any way 'better' than your own...

As Christians, we pray for others in a selfless way, adding our prayers to your own. In no way does a Christian intend to disparage or imply that your prayers are insufficient or 'defective'. We pray for others, quite simply, because we follow the example of Jesus himself, who commanded that we love, sustain and encourage one another.

I have noticed that many times come Christians offer to pray for someone in a setting or at a time that makes the person we intend to comfort UN-comfortable; I don't think we intend to provoke such a reaction, but do so unthinkingly or clumsily. It is wrong of us to do so, but I would ask you, on your own part, to forgive us when we do this; as is the case with many things in life, our intentions are good, but our execution poor.

[regnaD kciN]

4. Agreed...

I know a lot of times, from specific Christian e-mail lists and forums, that someone would ask the rest of the group for prayers, and would receive messages of support. I think the problem comes, mostly, from when the message is delivered to someone who is both antagonistic to religion and (obviously) hasn't asked for prayers -- it gives the sense that "I'm going to show you that my world-view is truer than yours by having the God you sinfully don't believe in (and who, therefore wouldn't listen to you, only to someone like me) fix your problems, thereby forcing you to adopt my beliefs." For example, my teenage daughter is currently very anti-religion, so I wouldn't dream of telling her I'd pray for her when she has any problems (even though, of course, I do...every day).

[erinlough]

3. Both responses are wonderful

Thank you for your explanations. Perhaps, I will rethink next time an offer is made. Thank you again.