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To: piusv
I have observed that some people feel insulted if you say you'll pray for them. (Not always, but often enough so I noticed.) They feel that it's an act of arrogance to give a prayer or blessing; they think the blesser or pray-er is implying that he or she is a spiritual superior, and the recipient a spiritual inferior.

In other words, that the person saying "I'll pray for you" is also saying under their breath, "...you moral retard."

It puzzles me, as I have always felt grateful if a person said they'd pray for me. Even a person of a different religion: I think, "Well, I don't believe as you do, but I know you mean well."

Am I wrong?

21 posted on 06/21/2014 8:55:37 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o ("Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?" - Matthew 15:12)
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To: Mrs. Don-o
Could not prayer come with any of these?

The Spiritual Works of Mercy are acts of compassion, as listed below, by which we help our neighbors with their emotional and spiritual needs.


27 posted on 06/21/2014 9:02:59 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Mrs. Don-o
I have observed that some people feel insulted if you say you'll pray for them. ...that it's an act of arrogance to give a prayer or blessing; they think the blesser or pray-er is implying that he or she is a spiritual superior...

I think it comes down to the individual's view of whether it is Biblically okay for a layperson to pray directly to God, or whether they instead believe there must be an "official" intercessor, such as a living member of a given priesthood or clergy, or a designated saint. Further, it depends on how active they are in prayer and seeking the Holy Spirit in their daily lives.

If a Christian individual follows the exhortations in James to have an active prayer life, and they pray daily without just moving their lips or repeating words they have memorized, but from their hearts with trust and intimacy, then they are more likely to accept any Christian prayers, Jewish prayers -- any that are, as you say, well intended. (I'm making an exception here for that religion that plays "gotcha" and will only pray for the other person to convert to their belief -- or else!)

42 posted on 06/21/2014 9:45:23 AM PDT by Albion Wilde ("The commenters are plenty but the thinkers are few." -- Walid Shoebat)
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To: Mrs. Don-o
I have observed that some people feel insulted if you say you'll pray for them. (Not always, but often enough so I noticed.) They feel that it's an act of arrogance to give a prayer or blessing; they think the blesser or pray-er is implying that he or she is a spiritual superior, and the recipient a spiritual inferior.

In other words, that the person saying "I'll pray for you" is also saying under their breath, "...you moral retard."

It puzzles me, as I have always felt grateful if a person said they'd pray for me. Even a person of a different religion: I think, "Well, I don't believe as you do, but I know you mean well."

Am I wrong?

======================================

NO, you are NOT wrong.
You are as right as rain.

94 posted on 06/21/2014 2:20:38 PM PDT by cloudmountain
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