Someone offered to pray for DS!

Totally unacceptable. She didn't know him. I would have been furious to be pitied by a stranger!

Many years ago when I was a GP, I did a home visit (it was a very long time ago ) and I was greeted by a man holding a BIG CARVING KNIFE!
He told me he was Jesus Christ come to save the world and we were going to pray!
Guess what I did?

I'd probably say 'Thank you' and carry on walking.
Why get mad? I don't believe in religion...ANY religion but so respect that others may have their reasons to believe in a fantasy.
Words can cut or heal.
I'm perfectly able to hear anyone call me any names they can dredge up (should anyone choose to do that ) and I can agree with them and smile and leave.
It doesn't upset me in the slightest. No-one has the power to chip away at my self worth.

Yes, perhaps the only response to that, if ever it happens again, god forbid... is ‘thank you I’ll Pray for you too.’
I do have a friend who if I ever confide my deepest fears or anxieties always responds with I will pray for you. And I say thank you. Because it is the best she can offer snd she believes it is s good thing. Oh to have such faith. Most people who have it need it for a very good reason, they have often suffered greatly and it is their way of keeping sane and coping. And it works ... for them. It is a massive defense and nothing will break that wall and if you feel condescended to, pitied, patronised, I think it goes over their heads. It is about them feeling safe and secure and superior. And your son is reasonably hopping mad!!! He knows he would never take up such a superior stance, it is insensitive and arrogant and non empathetic but ..to .just them tell you too will pray for them. Maybe they will think on....

Just plain creepy

It is foolish to take offence at something that is meant kindly. And that's all there is to say about it, really.

I'm not surprised your DS was furious at this woman's tactless behaviour. The most charitable view is that she is in some way either mentally deficient and does not realize how un-called for her remark was.

I am religious and frequently pray for others, but I would never dream of telling them so, unless of course the person concerned has asked me to remember them in my prayers.

I hope your DS will think no more about this very odd incident.

Cheeky cow it's the worst kind of arrogance AND ignorance to impose her views in this way. She should stop to think how her careless words have affected people and say a few prayers for herself to be more sensitive. I don't think it's well meaning at all

Probably good intentions but perhaps not the way to go about it.
Prayer is powerful and works!
We have prayer ministry after our services for those who would like prayer, but they approach us....no pressure. It has always been positive and helped people.
I remember a little boy coming up to me for prayer because he had lost his grannie. (His mum sat with him). I was nearly in tears myself, but he said it really helped him afterwards.
Prayer is done with love and understanding - never be afraid of it.

She may have had a problem because she could of gone home and just prayed for him without telling him. It's the fact that she went up to him and said what she said, because it could of made him aware of his problem even more. Whatever the reason I think she was well intentioned.

Many people prayed for me when I had a serious neurological illness 14 years ago that left me paralysed for a while. My neurologist later said that my quick recovery had been "nothing short of miraculous". When I tell non believers this I often receive a patronising response like " well, if it helps you to believe that.....". I am just so grateful that people cared enough to petition God on my behalf.

I'm a very strong atheist but if a friend or anyone said they wanted to pray for me because they believed it would help me then I would equate that with them offering to carry my parcels because they were physically stronger or giving me flowers because they thought they would cheer me up. I wouldn't have a problem with it; it's their belief and way of showing kindness, just not mine. Too much offence is taken by people who could just be pleasant to others who are well meaning and who seem to think it is okay to be offensive back.

I am sure God would not act on any prayers that he knows the target wouldn't want or might find an interference. Nothing to worry about

I wouldn't take offence but I can understand someone else doing so because there's a thin line between kind and condescending. I get the feeling kitty's son felt condescension rather than kindness.

The lady could have said about prayer,no need to ask.

I have a friend who, with her husband,goes through the death notices and sends Bible verses and prayers to the family.I don't think that is appropriate.

Could have!

I see nothing wrong with it...it was a message of peace not malice. I wouldn’t have taken offence.

I expect that she 'meant well' but it usually takes much more than the power of prayer to put things right and many conditions can never get better anyway.
If it had happened to me I'd have smiled politely and thanked them while inside I'd no doubt have some uncharitable thoughts.

Ha ha ! think it is amusing if someone offers to pray for me ....well, let's face it I could probably do with all the prayers I can get !! Seriously I would not be offended in the slightest if it makes someone happy then so be it ! I find my friend in the US (who were never of a religious bent in the UK) have found the Lord as they put it ....and offer to pray for me ...ok, carry on. Thankyou, I do think however that if prayers give someone, either the giver or the beneficiary, comfort then it has to be psychologically worth it ....not particularly religious myself but I always watch Songs of Praise cos I love hymns .....good for a sing along ! Used to drive my ex m i l mad when I was making them Yorkshire pudding for evening dinner on a Sunday in their kitchen (always made them cos hers went flat !) and my sister in law and I would sing along with all the hymns ! When I worked in a mental health unit we had a patient who made himself a lectern in woodwork class and promptly transported it every morning to reception, where he stood and read the Bible ..........some patients complained ....but it s (so far, at anyrate) still a freedom of speech country .....if it offends you, don't listen !

I often say silent blessings to Jesus for people when I am out and always ask for help when I see an ambulance with siren on. God asks us to pray for others and not just ourselves. I do tell people I will pray for them if I know them and they have always said thank you. If someone is upset by God/ Jesus they need to ask themselves what they are afraid of

I really can't find anything offensive in someone offering to pray for someone it should be taken in the spirit it was meant in

I find it very strange behaviour from a stranger. Completely different than if you know a person well and realise they are going through some problem and offer them a prayer. Maybe the person has their own issues.

Just spoken to DS1 who said he could do with her prayers now as he has lost his house keys!

Luckygirl YES! That fits my point of view on this exactly. Thank you for posting that..
At our next choir concert we are being very religious and singing Stainers crucifixion and a Stabat Mater by Josef Rheinberger.
I have just switched choirs, the original one I was in fell apart when the original conductor retired at 80. This was taken over by a woman who was useless. She was running rehearsals fueled on diet coke. Somehow I hung on for 2 years but after a really awful "remembrance concert" before Christmas I quit and joined one quite locally.
They have a really good conductor who has already massively improved what was a failing choir.
When I went into the first rehearsal I was hooked. I wanted the "Major Works" stuff.
The conductor gives a good warm up and demands good standards.
It's the buzz you get when you have that big sound going around you and you are part of it. You will know what I mean.