Okay to announce to somebody you are praying for them?

[stringbeanduck]

I think we all know what is in (Matt 6: 5-8), but certainly it can be alright to tell somebody in a public area that you are praying for them. Right? The intent of praying to God should not be in lust for praise, or (good for you s), but to talk and listen to God with a humble heart.

I was recently on an discussion group on Facebook talking about abortion and regret. Two women told me they had their abortion 5 and 25 years and still have no regrets. I was shocked to read such a response that I told them I will pray for them and the children they aborted. Immediately I was flogged because announcing my intention for praying for them was rude. I was given the (Matt 6: 5-8) lecture, and that I should not have announced my intention to pray for them.

Note: Just to recap: though my announcing I was would pray for them was made public, the action of praying for them has been in the silence of my heart, not for everybody to see. Is that alright?

 

[Karen1960]

I think we all know what is in (Matt 6: 5-8), but certainly it can be alright to tell somebody in a public area that you are praying for them. Right? The intent of praying to God should not be in lust for praise, or (good for you s), but to talk and listen to God with a humble heart.

I was recently on an discussion group on Facebook talking about abortion and regret. Two women told me they had their abortion 5 and 25 years and still have no regrets. I was shocked to read such a response that I told them I will pray for them and the children they aborted. Immediately I was flogged because announcing my intention for praying for them was rude. I was given the (Matt 6: 5-8) lecture, and that I should not have announced my intention to pray for them.

Note: Just to recap: though my announcing I was would pray for them was made public, the action of praying for them has been in the silence of my heart, not for everybody to see. Is that alright?

You did nothing wrong as we are told to pray for one another. The problem is this world we live in now, any metion of religion gets people all upset. They feel offened by you saying that, but they have no problem offending and insulting you and your beliefs. I been there I know exactly what you are talking about.
You should pray for them also for their harden hearts.

 

[stringbeanduck]

Thank you so much for your reply. I have another question. Are Christian/Catholics required to pray before and after meals?

 

[Fidelis]

Thank you so much for your reply. I have another question. Are Christian/Catholics required to pray before and after meals?

There is no Commandment of Church law that requires it, but as Christians we are taught in the Scriptures to be grateful to God. Why would one not want to? If you’re worrying about it being showy, it is not (unless you go out of your way to call attention to yourself). As the previous poster pointed out, some people are annoyed just due to the simple fact that you are praying in public. Heck with them – that’s their problem.

My family has been praying before meals for years (including at restaurants) and have never, as far as we know, offended anyone. In fact, people (even children) have come up to us and told us how beautiful they thought it was.

As far a telling someone you are praying for them, I find that most people are grateful and touched that you have let them know, even to the point of shedding tears of gratitude.

Don’t let the naysayers get you down. You keep on praying.

 

[stringbeanduck]

Thank you so much Fidelis. That’s what I thought too. No I’d never let it get me down, but when I faced with an question of my faith that I can’t answer, it really bothers me so I come here.

 

[cheeto1]

Well I understand why they found it rude. This is why:

I once did not know that God was real. Someone invited me
to a Bible study in which they said, “preachers will lie to you
from the pulpit, but the Bible is the word of God. So listen to
the word of God, not of men.” To which I replied, “but wasn’t
the bible written by men?” and the answer? “We will pray for
your soul”. Is that an answer? I found it insulting. I felt very
much like they were saying that they were better than me.
Even though I know that God is real now, I still remember that
feeling.

The people you were talking to did not know that abortion is
wrong, therefore when they said so, you were rude to say you
would pray for them. Do you think that that was an answer?
It’s like you changed the subject and ended the discussion by
saying “I’m better than you”.

Now that I know “everything”, I am grateful for everyone who
ever prayed for me. But back then, I felt insulted.
Maybe one day when your discussion partners find out that
abortion is wrong, they will feel grateful that you said you’d
pray for them, but right now, I’m not surprised by the counter-
attack.

Talking to people is the hardest thing to do, because it is so
easy to offend people. I pray I have not offended you with this,
because I do admire you.

 

[stringbeanduck]

Well I understand why they found it rude. This is why:

I once did not know that God was real. Someone invited me
to a Bible study in which they said, “preachers will lie to you
from the pulpit, but the Bible is the word of God. So listen to
the word of God, not of men.” To which I replied, “but wasn’t
the bible written by men?” and the answer? “We will pray for
your soul”. Is that an answer? I found it insulting. I felt very
much like they were saying that they were better than me.
Even though I know that God is real now, I still remember that
feeling.

The people you were talking to did not know that abortion is
wrong, therefore when they said so, you were rude to say you
would pray for them. Do you think that that was an answer?
It’s like you changed the subject and ended the discussion by
saying** “I’m better than you”.**
Now that I know “everything”, I am grateful for everyone who
ever prayed for me. But back then, I felt insulted.
Maybe one day when your discussion partners find out that
abortion is wrong, they will feel grateful that you said you’d
pray for them, but right now, I’m not surprised by the counter-
attack.

Talking to people is the hardest thing to do, because it is so
easy to offend people. I pray I have not offended you with this,
because I do admire you.

That’s exactly how they said it! Though I explained it great detail that I did not mean any offence by it and have used great charity when talking to them. I don’t blame for acting so. There are some Christians out there who will use the “I’ll pray for” as a “I’m more holy than you” insult.

Thank you for your post, and no I’m not offended by any means.

 

[SpiritMeadow]

I have never thought there was much at issue here, but I have been informed that I was wrong. And I have to admit there is some credence to what is objected to. I often notice that those who become violently in disagreement with another, end by claiming they will pray for you. This, I am told, leads the recipient to believe that: 1. They are clearly wrong, and in danger of grave sin, so the person is announcing that in the form of saying they will pray for you. 2. It is said in anger and self-righteousness. At least from the recipient’s point of view.

My husband has pointed out, that an atheist would no doubt resent someone saying they would pray for them, since it too suggests that the atheist is wrong and in need of help. It has been my experience, when looked at this way, that these criticisms are quite probably right. Most occassions when I have heard this refrain, it has been in circumstances where one is aghast at the position of the other person. It seems a last slap in the face.

Morever, such behavior, (praying for another) need not be announced. One is most free to pray for another without telling them about it. Since praying is the point, I don’t see a problem with refraining from the announcement when it clearly offends some people. I have certainly stopped doing it, once I understood the objection. I have not however stopped praying for anyone whom I believe would benefit from it!