How do you bring up God and prayer in casual conversation with a stranger?

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in the common kitchen at the hospital where my son is, i got to talk with a mom who revealed to me that her daughter had a brain tumor surgically removed and is currently suffering with seizures

i felt so bad and didn’t know what to say, except that i want to offer my prayers for her daughter. but i just couldn’t get the words out, i’m afraid she’s not a Christian and my act of Charity would turn into something negative. i want people to be receptive of God, not resentful of Him. but in situations like that i don’t know how to represent God

regardless, i will pray for her daughter. but i want to learn how to talk to people about God
 
Hi there - I am in this situation a lot as I have no Catholic or even Christian friends but, in my experience, I just say the words ‘I will remember him/her in my prayers’. Yes, its difficult to get those words out - we are so worried that we will be thought of as some fundamentalist weirdo or something but we are trying to be kind and, mostly for me, that is how it has been taken. Some people look a little taken aback but I have never been told ‘no thanks’.

After all, we can only go by our own conscience and beliefs and cannot be responsible for how everyone else takes us. Be kind, be charitable, be loving - if the other person responds badly then that is their problem. And it might give them some comfort, at some point, even though they wouldn’t admit it.

Blessings
X
 
yorkshiregirl said:
Hi there - I am in this situation a lot as I have no Catholic or even Christian friends but, in my experience, I just say the words ‘I will remember him/her in my prayers’. Yes, its difficult to get those words out - we are so worried that we will be thought of as some fundamentalist weirdo or something but we are trying to be kind and, mostly for me, that is how it has been taken. Some people look a little taken aback but I have never been told ‘no thanks’.

After all, we can only go by our own conscience and beliefs and cannot be responsible for how everyone else takes us. Be kind, be charitable, be loving - if the other person responds badly then that is their problem. And it might give them some comfort, at some point, even though they wouldn’t admit it.

Blessings
X
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thanks!

i pray that God fill me with the Holy Spirit at times like that so that i may have the courage to speak
 
I second yorkshiregirl’s advice.

By the way, I once worked with a guy who *solicited *prayers for his son-in-law, who had a brain tumor that the doctors said was inoperable and fatal.

Within a month, the tumor shrank into nothingness, and the son-in-law made a complete recovery.
 
srlucado said:
I second yorkshiregirl’s advice.

By the way, I once worked with a guy who *solicited *prayers for his son-in-law, who had a brain tumor that the doctors said was inoperable and fatal.

Within a month, the tumor shrank into nothingness, and the son-in-law made a complete recovery.
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it would have been easy knowing if they were believers. but if not, i don’t want to be seen as someone coming in too strong and further turn them off from God
 
Given the circumstances, I don’t think mentioning prayer would be completely unexpected.

As yorkshiregirl said, they might react negatively, and hopefully you wouldn’t take that personally.

On the other hand, they might sigh with relief. Maybe they’re just as reluctant to bring up prayer as you are.
 
choy said:
in the common kitchen at the hospital where my son is, i got to talk with a mom who revealed to me that her daughter had a brain tumor surgically removed and is currently suffering with seizures

i felt so bad and didn’t know what to say, except that i want to offer my prayers for her daughter. but i just couldn’t get the words out, i’m afraid she’s not a Christian and my act of Charity would turn into something negative. i want people to be receptive of God, not resentful of Him. but in situations like that i don’t know how to represent God

regardless, i will pray for her daughter. but i want to learn how to talk to people about God
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What I do is tell them that, in my faith, it is customer to say a rosary or other prayers and offer them up for the health of someone who is sick and for comfort for their family. These acts of kindness have always been well-received. People respond to Love.

Sometimes it is easier to ask for permission, “Do you mind if I include you and your daughter in my prayers today?” or “May I include you and your daughter in my prayers today?”. Often it seems that the expression of kindness is appreciated regardless of the beliefs. This is an easy, simple statement.

If someone passes away, I have a Mass said for them and include in the note that it is customary for Catholics to do so and present it as an expression of love to that person. These have always been well-received.

I used to feel uncomfortable in these kinds of situations as I am very shy. Finding phrases to use ahead of time made it much easier and, now, asking people has become very easy and very rewarding.

How wonderful that you are asking and what a good heart you have! Remember the Acts of Faith, Hope and Love? This is practicing your faith. Kudos to you, the Holy Spirit must be stirring your heart. Bless you for being open to this.

Hope this helps a bit.

I pray that your son is doing well.
Have a blessed day.
 
thank you!

i really feel bad, i wish i could have said more, said something better

like what you mentioned, i’m really shy in real life with strangers. i get bolder once i establish a comfort level with a person, but until then i tend to shy away.
 
choy said:
thank you!

i really feel bad, i wish i could have said more, said something better

like what you mentioned, i’m really shy in real life with strangers. i get bolder once i establish a comfort level with a person, but until then i tend to shy away.
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I felt a little silly at first. After the first couple of times it really got much easier.

I remember feeling awkward when someone asked if they could pray for me, but they wanted to pray conversational prayer, right there at that moment. I found this off-putting as it put me on the spot. I remember going along with it just because I felt I couldn’t say no. This helped to make me sensitive to others discomfort, though, so I’ve learned gentle ways of phrasing it, offering it as a gift that I will pray privately on my own. At least this way, even if they aren’t comfortable with it or do not believe in it I’m not making them feel compelled to participate. At worst, one might think I’m one of those silly Christians. It is the expression of love that speaks to others, no?

There’s no reason to feel bad. So it’s an indication that you would like to handle things differently in the future and you can be more prepared for this. 🤷 Not such a bad thing if you ask me. I think you’re great for giving this such consideration.
 
my empathy meter just went off the chart for that woman. i have just been a parent for less then 2 weeks today, and last week i found out my child has a condition as was subsequently operated on. i decided to have him baptized before the operation and he was confirmed as well. everything went well except that he’s still in the hospital today because the doctors want him to start gaining some weight. as he just came off IV the other day and started feeding again, he can’t keep his weight up as his body adjusts. as of today he has lived more of his life on IV than natural eating, so maybe the body is confused as to what is the normal process

anyway, back to my point. when i found out something was wrong with my son and before i really knew what exactly it was, it tore my heart apart. i wanted to cry but i just can’t at that point. i tried to calm myself down and believe in the Will of God. but nevertheless the situation just pounded on me emotionally. and i found great comfort in God, especially at the time my son was baptized on his hospital bed, hours before his surgery

i was hoping to bring the same hope to this woman. a brain tumor is by no means a simple thing. i can’t even begin to imagine what she and her child is going through. but i do know that there is comfort in The Lord, and that He can make all things better. that is why i feel so bad, that i am not able to share this with her. i know she needed it and i just couldn’t deliver. i was hoping today i’d bump into her but i didn’t. one more chance tomorrow, i’m hoping my son gains the desired weight so he can be home for easter. perhaps i may still get my chance to share some hope to this woman. my heart really goes out to her
 
choy said:
my empathy meter just went off the chart for that woman. i have just been a parent for less then 2 weeks today, and last week i found out my child has a condition as was subsequently operated on. i decided to have him baptized before the operation and he was confirmed as well. everything went well except that he’s still in the hospital today because the doctors want him to start gaining some weight. as he just came off IV the other day and started feeding again, he can’t keep his weight up as his body adjusts. as of today he has lived more of his life on IV than natural eating, so maybe the body is confused as to what is the normal process

anyway, back to my point. when i found out something was wrong with my son and before i really knew what exactly it was, it tore my heart apart. i wanted to cry but i just can’t at that point. i tried to calm myself down and believe in the Will of God. but nevertheless the situation just pounded on me emotionally. and i found great comfort in God, especially at the time my son was baptized on his hospital bed, hours before his surgery

i was hoping to bring the same hope to this woman. a brain tumor is by no means a simple thing. i can’t even begin to imagine what she and her child is going through. but i do know that there is comfort in The Lord, and that He can make all things better. that is why i feel so bad, that i am not able to share this with her. i know she needed it and i just couldn’t deliver. i was hoping today i’d bump into her but i didn’t. one more chance tomorrow, i’m hoping my son gains the desired weight so he can be home for easter. perhaps i may still get my chance to share some hope to this woman. my heart really goes out to her
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Ah now I remember you Choy. I have been praying for you and for your son, but didn’t realize this was you.

I would put this in God’s very capable hands. Trust Him, that if it is His will that you have the opportunity to offer reassurances and prayer, He will allow your paths to cross again. Perhaps God knows that she would not be as comfortable hearing about Him right now. We all experience trauma differently. Maybe His will is for you to question and find a way that you are comfortable approaching someone else so that someone in the future, who needs it at just that moment, will benefit from your efforts now. It’s not a missed opportunity, it is a opportunity for growth in you, to be God’s servant in whatever way He chooses. He will bless you for being open to the Holy Spirit. Your prayers for her comfort will be heard, whether she’s aware of this or not.

Brain tumors sound (and are) terrible and frightening, but they are not death sentences. I have two friends who fully recovered after having brain tumors removed. I’m sure that you understand more fully how hard this must be for this mother. How generous of you to show such compassion in the midst of your own turmoil.

Take care of yourself! I hope that you are eating well and get as much sleep as you can, because as soon as he comes home sleep will be a treasured thing. You want to be well for him. That is good news that the feeding tube is out! I hope your son gains wait soon. I will pray that he is home with you for Easter.

May you have peace and comfort today.
 
my son’s out of the hospital. never saw the lady again. i pray for her child regardless
 
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