Telling others "I'm praying for you"

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Well, after reading that thread on 3 days darkness, I almost packed it in on writing this thread, since it now seems a bit trivial…

But anyhow, I have decided to continue… 🙂

I was wondering: it was stated in another thread that telling others your Lenten sacrifice ‘negates’ it.

On a possibly similar note, does telling someone “I’m praying for you” also ‘negate’ same? Something to do with spiritual pride or something?

I tell my friends from time to time that I am praying for them, for their comfort, and also in the hopes that they will return the favor. Anything wrong here?
 
No I don’t think so. When you tell others you are praying for them, I believe it can give them hope and peace. Maybe, introduce them to the power of prayer.

Maybe that person has never had anyone say that to them before?

I do know someone who recently emailed me to tell me thanks for praying for him daily, it meant a lot to him. He is not Catholic, does not believe in God, but reflects at times about the possibility.

Who knows where that will eventually take him?
 
I think it depends on why you’re telling them. If you tell someone you’re praying for them as a means to offer comfort, support or encouragement, then I don’t think there’s a problem. Sometimes it’s important to let someone know they are cared about and that they’re not alone. Now, if you tell someone that for the sake of your own ego, then I’d say there’s a major problem.
 
It depends on the motivation, too.

I find it very comforting and helpful when somebody says “I’m praying for you” because they know I’m having difficulty. I find it obnoxious and patronizing when somebody says “I’m praying for you” because we disagree about something and they know they’re right.
 
Paul used to tell the churches in his letters that he was praying for them all the time, and usually about specific things. And he always asked them to pray for him. I don’t think scripture would lead us astray in such matters. 😉

When you know that people are coming along side you in prayer, you can’t help but feel spiritually strengthened. We are one body acting as healing agents for each other, as we are meant to. It is the same as saying “I love you”.
 
I always think it is a good thing to stop and pray with the person right then and there. If you intend to pray (in itself a prayer), you might forget. Sometimes it feels a little awkward, but I have never regretted doing it.

I agree that telling someone they are praying for you when they just want to “reform” your opinion is condescending. Maybe you can ask them to pray for you. I guarantee that God will use that opportunity to bring both of you to greater light.

I remember when I was on a federal jury with a bunch of dolts. It was odd because I’d say I rarely run into genuinely stupid people. The funny thing is in deliberations the more they browbeat me, the more I opposed them. One huge guy was standing over me physically trying to intimidate me. Finally, I suggested we pray (really weird because at the time I was not practicing in the faith and had never prayed publicly with others except an occasional Our Father). As I led the prayer, in my mind I was saying, “change these idiots’ minds.” Funny thing after the prayer, I began to realize that they were right. My prayer intended to change them, changed me! :rolleyes:

It was a lesson that helped (among other experiences) to bring me back to the church. 👍
 
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jrabs:
No I don’t think so. When you tell others you are praying for them, I believe it can give them hope and peace. Maybe, introduce them to the power of prayer.

Maybe that person has never had anyone say that to them before?

I do know someone who recently emailed me to tell me thanks for praying for him daily, it meant a lot to him. He is not Catholic, does not believe in God, but reflects at times about the possibility.

Who knows where that will eventually take him?
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:amen: you are right on Jenn! I needed to post this… even if it’s breaking my fast from posting…:yup:
 
I believe in the power of prayer and to hear that someone is praying for me is comforting. When I had little faith, others prayed for me helping me get through cancer treatments. Tim
 
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I believe in the power of prayer and to hear that someone is praying for me is comforting. When I had little faith, others prayed for me helping me get through cancer treatments. Tim
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I think that when we know others are praying for us, particularly in trying times such as yours, we are reminded that God is not going to forget about us. Even if it were possible, which it is not, the prayers of others would be reminders of our needs, it is a comfort to our minds and souls.

God Bless you Tim. I hope all is well.
 
Jeanette L, I have been stable for almost 3 years now of stage 3 cancer, I think, by Gods will and prayers. Thanks, Tim 🙂
 
Telling someone that you are praying for them can be very comforting.

But it does not, then, obligate them to reciprocate.
 
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