a response to those who say they will pray for us:

[niyad]

[gibraltar72]

1. I actually say

I'd rather you spit on me!

[niyad]

2. that works!

[FakeNoose]

3. This is good too

[niyad]

7. I LOVE that one, thanks!!

[Tikki]

4. I remember years ago, here on DU, some one suggested a reply to:

God Bless You or Have a Blessed Day.

Reply: and May the Force Be With You.

Works for me.

Tikki

[TomSlick]

5. My response to "Have a Blessed Day"

is Insha'Allah.

[niyad]

9. excellent

[niyad]

8. that works, too!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. Namaste works well, too.

But I don't take offense when people offer to pray for me (which doesn't happen often). It's their way of offering good wishes, and I'll take those however I can get them.

[FakeNoose]

11. Well yes, but

...it's really (in nice words) somebody saying that they pity you.

Rather than be insulted, I don't snap back at the person. I just smile and say "Thanks."

Truly when a friend or acquaintance is dealing with a serious problem, sometimes you know don't what to say. It depends on the individual's sincerity and how well you know them.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

12. It's not necessarily pity.

I see it mostly as just good wishes for someone who's sick or otherwise struggling. I don't mind it; it's just not my thing.

[UTUSN]

6. Works for me

[Orrex]

13. OOOH! I HAVE THE BEST ANSWER!! PICK ME! PICK ME!

I lamented the "I'll pray for you" claptrap back in May 2010, asking how to respond.

Here's the brilliant response.

[niyad]

14. you nearly owed me a keyboard!! thanks for the memories!!

[Orrex]

15. :evilgrin:

I literally LOL'ed when I first read that answer, and I chuckled again when I dug it up for you!

[niyad]

16. evilgrin indeed!!

[orleans]

22. thanks for the laugh.

ah... the "obsolete" version of du. good times.

[left-of-center2012]

17. My evangelical siblings didn't say they'd pray for me

The said they'd be partying in Heaven
while I burn in Hell.

[Mariana]

18. That's extremely disturbing.

it's pretty common, though, for Christians to experience genuine pleasure when they imagine other people being tortured for eternity.

[lunatica]

20. My sister wrote me a three page letter detailing my misery in Hell for accepting gays

She told me God hates gays so if you're a Christian you have to hate them too.

The things she said were going to happen to me were so detailed that I knew she was hoping it would really happen.

We haven't spoken in 20 years.

[milestogo]

21. You must be my sibling

because I have the same sister.

[lunatica]

19. My Supervisor once took me to the hospital which saved my life

Much later I was telling a co-worker about it and she said something like, "Thank's to Jesus". I responded, "No. Thanks to my Supervisor because she took me."

You'd think that if Jesus was telling everyone to help me that more people would hear him. But what do I know...

[orleans]

23. when someone says they'll pray for someone

i think "why don't you do something that could actually help?"

i guess if someone is sick there isn't much to do except bring them chicken soup, more kleenex, walk their dog, make their dinner or dinner for their kids--things like that.

the praying always sounds like a cop-out to me. (i really can't be bothered to actually help so i'll pretend i'm helping and coat it in that sugary goodness that makes me come off like i'm holier than thou.) ugh.

[Kali]

24. if they aren't otherwise complete assholes...

I usually chuckle and say OK, I will take whatever I can get. it does amaze me the presumptions of so many believers that you are one of them.

[niyad]

25. that part always cracks me up. especially here in fundieville.

[Siwsan]

26. Someone me a "prayer chain" via FB messenger. I was supposed to confirm that I passed it on

because they DIDN'T WANT THE CHAIN TO BREAK!!!!!

Oops.

[Leith]

27. Whenever Anyone Says That to Me

I just give them a blank or puzzled look (depending on my mood and who said it) and say "uhh.. thanks."

They probably don't know what else to say and they don't realize how that sounds to an atheist.

I resist saying "I'll think for you."