Quandary over a Facebook posting....

[matt819]

11. Another vote for leave it alone

I have a friend whose religious beliefs I don't share. Once in a while, she mentions that she'll pray for me about one thing or another - not out of the blue or anything like that, but rather with respect to a problem I might refer to. She makes no reference to political leanings (in fact, I don't know what they are), has no intent to proselytize, offers no judgment of my own beliefs. Just a friendly, thoughtful prayer (thought? sentiment?) that means something to her in her world view.

Your workmate was out of line as she made the distinction between prayer and thoughts. It wasn't necessary and in a sense detracts from her offer of prayer. I think she would have been "more Christian" if she had just said that she'll keep your b-i-l in her prayers, etc. That said, without reference to your own beliefs or those of you friend, she did offer her prayers. That meant something to her. You have to work with this person and presumably you want to maintain friendly relations in the office. Thank her for her prayers (not thoughts or sentiment) and leave it at that.