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What do you say?

When someone comments that they will pray for you, what do you say back? Even when I was a pretending christian I felt awkward when people said they would pray for me....

Two hands working can do more than a thousand clasped in prayer. - Anonymous

and another one I am pseudo-quoting since I can't find a reference at the moment........

Helping hands are far more useful than praying ones.

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Permalink Reply by Joel Valle on December 14, 2009 at 3:47pm

Wow, i have read a lot of interesting answers here. This has always bugged me. People don't say to me I will pray for you, but they always tell me God bless you and it always has bothered me to just accept it. Now I know they mean well. Most don't know I am atheist so I know they mean well. I guess next time I will say I don't believe in God but thank you for the well intentions. Yes, I will say that now.

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Permalink Reply by Jo Jerome on December 16, 2009 at 7:46pm

I know what you mean Joel. "God bless you" is as bad as "I'll pray for you."

Often I'll say, "And may Flying Spaghetti Monster touch you with his noodly appendage."

When they chide me because they're being serious, I'll tell them, "So am I."

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Permalink Reply by Matt Murchie on December 18, 2009 at 3:28pm

I tell them I'd rather they flip a coin for me. :)

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Permalink Reply by Jo Jerome on December 19, 2009 at 3:39pm

I tell them I'd rather they flip a coin for me.

Another great answer!

Or perhaps, "I'd rather you consult a magic 8 ball for me. The success rate is the same as that of prayer."

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Permalink Reply by Rayray on January 5, 2010 at 2:14pm

Haha! That could be the Atheists prayer! "I will flip a coin for you brother." I cant stop laughing about that one.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Malcolm on December 18, 2009 at 4:05pm

I think it depends on the context in which it's said that determines the way I react. I very rarely just shrug it off without letting them know that I don't believe in their god. I find it a bit amusing to see how offended people can become when I tell them that, but yet they don't think I have a right to be offended by them constantly saying they'll pray for me. The only time I ever shrug it off is when dealing with certain members of my family like my great-grandparents. I don't let it slide enough to the point where I'll let my own belief, or lack there of, slip. I won't participate in prayers during the dinners, holidays, etc and luckily enough my family is open minded enough to keep their beliefs to themselves and not try to force it down my throat.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Nicole on March 10, 2010 at 12:13am

The few times my family prays at dinner (usually only at holidays), I'm expected to still hold hands with them. Now I'm wondering if that's feeding into them or what. D;

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Permalink Reply by Meddlesome on December 22, 2009 at 8:54am

You say: "No thanks".

Regardless of their (usually) good intent, i dont think it helps to facilitate, and accept their religious foibles.

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Permalink Reply by Jo Jerome on December 22, 2009 at 4:28pm

Regardless of their (usually) good intent, i dont think it helps to facilitate, and accept their religious foibles.

Another good answer. Yes, on the one hand, religion is their choice and their twisted way of saying "I wish you well." But on the other hand, I won't buy cigarettes for someone. I won't buy booze for an alcoholic. Why should I enable the disease/addiction of religion?

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Permalink Reply by thedogma on January 5, 2010 at 12:14pm

What I would lOVE to say is, '...and I'll think for you"

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Permalink Reply by Sky Ironplow on January 5, 2010 at 1:51pm

If they say god bless, I tend to just say no thank you, or 'if it makes you feel better, because it has no effect on me.'
If they say "I will pray for you, I generally respond with, Please don't put your beliefs on me." or "I rather you didn't.
I don't approve of feeding into their religion. I agree with what Jo Jerome said about enabling disease/addiction. Since I don't feed other addictions why should I feed the religious ones.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Healy on January 5, 2010 at 12:18pm

I usually reply thank you for keeping "x" in your thoughts. (which gets around the whole supernatural element - if I'm being thought of, it's good enough.)

If I was feelign at all bullish, maybe a thank you and a polite denial it will be necessary.

Famously Dan Dennet after a heart operation was told he was begin prayed for and it is reported he remarked if they were willing to sacrifice a goat for him too.