For myself, prayer is a conversation with God and me. That has been my experience since childhood. I would pray for others but only in my private conversations.
Praying in groups is new to me and I am uncomfortable with it for many reasons.
If people want to pray for me I am glad of it but I have not had those adverse experiences with ulterior motives.
I can't agree more, Todd. I personally had many-many experiences when people told me "I'll pray for you", and the message I actually heard was - "You better believe that God will deal with you!". I even had to tell someone after they offered their prayers - PLEASE, DON'T. And me personally - I usually don't tell people I'll pray for you (unless they ask), I have never felt there was a need to say that, I just prayed.
Myself, I hope never to have the occasion to say to anyone...”Fuck you”.
I imagine that that would require me to have hate in my heart.
I can actually think of people that might deserve Fuck you and there could be a long list.
I would hate their deeds but then I would wonder what brought them there..
I would also find a different way of saying Fuck you.
For myself, prayer is a conversation with God and me. That has been my experience since childhood. I would pray for others but only in my private conversations.
Praying in groups is new to me and I am uncomfortable with it for many reasons.
If people want to pray for me I am glad of it but I have not had those adverse experiences with ulterior motives.
I can't agree more, Todd. I personally had many-many experiences when people told me "I'll pray for you", and the message I actually heard was - "You better believe that God will deal with you!". I even had to tell someone after they offered their prayers - PLEASE, DON'T. And me personally - I usually don't tell people I'll pray for you (unless they ask), I have never felt there was a need to say that, I just prayed.