I'm praying for....!

[malthaussen]

2. Nah, I disagree.

I love to cite Matthew 6:5 to people, because I do think that many make a point of showing off how pious they are. They have their reward... yes, indeedy.

But in the "I'm praying for so-and-so" type stuff, I think it is really more of a groping, fumbling way to try to express sympathy, especially when there is nothing tangible that can be offered, or it is too inconvenient to offer something tangible.

And let's face it, people often ask for our prayers when they are going through a crisis. That is not a time, I suggest, to lecture them on how prayers are of no efficacy, or to remind them that we don't believe in their god-thing. Prayers are, ultimately, for the prayer, not the ostensible pray-ee.

-- Mal