Other People's Prayers

[hansard]

This happens occasionally when a group of people are praying.

In our Australian high school, we have staff prayers twice a week. There is always the call for “prayer intentions”. These are usually inoffensive things like “my uncle’s operation” or “the repose of the soul of…”

Sometimes, a person gets on their high horse and prays for something with which I don’t agree, and for which I would never pray.

“I would like to pray that women will be subject to their men…”, said one teacher, among much else.

“I pray that Australians will recognise the sins of their past…” said the Aboriginal Education Worker.

The call is then “Lord hear us” and the response “Lord hear our prayer.”

Now, you can agree or disagree about the sentiments expressed.

My question is this: Am I obliged to recognise the prayers of others if I fundamentally disagree with them?

 

[Gertabelle]

This happens occasionally when a group of people are praying.

In our Australian high school, we have staff prayers twice a week. There is always the call for “prayer intentions”. These are usually inoffensive things like “my uncle’s operation” or “the repose of the soul of…”

Sometimes, a person gets on their high horse and prays for something with which I don’t agree, and for which I would never pray.

“I would like to pray that women will be subject to their men…”, said one teacher, among much else.

“I pray that Australians will recognise the sins of their past…” said the Aboriginal Education Worker.

The call is then “Lord hear us” and the response “Lord hear our prayer.”

Now, you can agree or disagree about the sentiments expressed.

My question is this: Am I obliged to recognise the prayers of others if I fundamentally disagree with them?

I think the only one who has to recognize the prayers of others is Our Lord.

Do you have to reply, “Lord, hear our prayer”? No. In your heart, you might pray – “Your will be done, Lord.” Remember, our opinions of what is right or wrong may not be how God sees things – and that includes your opinions as well. Asking God for to change our thinking to His thinking --as He sees fit – and praying for His will is always best. Holding that in your heart while you all pray together may give you peace regardless of anyone’s petitions.

Incidentally, when I was in college, my friend and I created a skit for a talent show called “Dueling Petitions” to highlight exactly the tension you mention in your post.

Woman #1: “We pray that all might come to love the traditional Latin mass…”

Woman #2: “We pray that all might get out of the past and embrace the present…”

Woman #1: “We pray for those who sway with the wind and have no moral fiber…”

Woman #2: “We pray for those who need more fiber in their diet…”

At the end of the skit – after about five volleys of petitions – my friend and I were each “escorted” from the stage – screaming our petitions – by our friends who played the roles of ushers.

Personally, in group settings of those who hold diverse opinions, I think I’d prefer to stick to prayers like the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, or a decade of the Rosary.

Gertie

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I think you can always say “Lord, hear our prayer,” with the understanding that it includes the idea of “Lord, may your will be done.”

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I think you can always say “Lord, hear our prayer,” with the understanding that it includes the idea of “Lord, may your will be done.”

 

[OraLabora]

Everyone has the right to say his petitions to God. God of course always answers our prayers, but not always with the answer we want, when we want it.

One has to assume that a person’s petitions are heartfelt and therefore it is only right that we ask God to “hear” that prayer.

By asking Him to “hear” the prayer, we are not stating our agreement with that person’s petition, only our agreement with that person’s right to petition God with whatever is on his or her heart.

One can therefore with a clear conscience reply “Lord hear our prayer” after such a petition, thereby putting the petition…and the answer to it… in God’s hands.

 

[hansard]

Ok, thanks everyone.
A minor issue, but I 'm glad some people responded.

 

[ProVobis]

Seems like we respond that way because the rubrics require us to or to be polite.

But God knows whether we really mean them or not, just like we say together in the Our Father “as we forgive those who trespass against us” among other things.