[lizardlady]

I am not a religious person. I do not belong to any organized religion. So I'm not sure how to respond when someone asks me to pray for a person. I've tried saying "I don't pray, but I'll send them positive thoughts." That usually doesn't go over well.

Anyone have any suggestions? In my belief system sending as person positive thoughts or positive energy is my way of helping. I can not honestly say I'll pray for someone because I don't pray.

Related to this... I am uncomfortable with requests to pray for someone when the person asking knows I am not religious. Any suggestions how to deal with that?

[needfixing]

i do not follow any religious forms either, but i do read my bible.

praying is something personal, and if someone asks you to pray for them, you don't have to explain yourself how your gonna pray for them.

sorry you get offended, but i think of it as someone that wants support or help in their time of need.

hope i didn't offend you, that was not my intentions.

[lizardlady]

Needfixing, you didn't offend in any way.

I'm not offended if someone asks me to pray, I just don't know how to respond. I feel like I'm lying if I say I will.

[lynn P.]

I don't feel connected to a specific religion either lizardlady I feel sending positive thoughts is equal to praying IMO. Different religions pray, so if someone from a different religion asks for prayers, even other religions could offer prayers or positive thoughts. You could keep doing it this way or avoid any thread that makes you uncomfortable.

When a person asks for prayers, I look at it as a request of support and sending positive vibes is fine. Your positive thoughts aren't less valued than a specific prayer from a specific religion. Even an Atheist could send good thoughts to someone in need.

[lizardlady]

Thanks for the feedback Lynn.

I'm not a religious person either, although I am spiritual. I had a thread on here asking for prayers. I know the definition of pray but to me it is equal with sending good thoughts, focusing and sending out energy. So when I used the word pray I meant any form of such an act. To me they are one in the same even if Wikipedia disagrees with me.

[lizardlady]

Thanks Anika

[jitters]

I usually say "I'll keep them in my thoughts" as a sort of ambiguous acknowledgement of their request. I've learned that "I don't pray" generally never goes over well...maybe some people feel like you're denouncing their religion? It seems silly to me, everyone has their own set of beliefs/principles, I certainly don't expect others to share mine, but some people seem to take umbrage when confronted with others' differing views on religion.

[Trippin2.0]

I don't believe you even need to be 'religious' to pray... I believe in God, but I'm N0T religious at all. I don't buy into any of it i.e weekly church and an organization dictating how I should live or behave... I AM however deeply spiritual and have a RELATI0NSHIP with God... So all in all I believe that you wishing them well and sending goodness and positivity is valuable in itself. Like other have said, you don't have to say "I don't pray"... Just validate their requests as you have been.XOXO

[sandworm]

Dear Lizard Lady, I feel like you have stumbled into my wheel house, I
have been on every side of this prayer issue.

Pray to me comes in many forms, depending on some questions this person answers for
themselves.
Is the Universe a hostile or friendly place (I answer neutral).
Is there "THE" God of the Bible, or other BOOK?
Are there gods? and do they respond to the wishes of us pathetic creatures?

If question 2 and 3 are no, I ask, is the Universe a place of pure
rationalism (only atoms bouncing off atoms and all phenomena is explained by
pure physics?
Then pray is really just a 'what is happening in your own head' and a
>psyching< yourself up, and has no other usefulness.

HOWEVER, if you believe there are things beyond PURE Newtonian physics that
we have yet to fully explain, then pray can be defined as
tapping those events and principles of mind that have yet to be categorized
and using them (ie."sending happy thoughts") to alter our experience that
that of others. (ie. making changes)
If one believes in energy and a conscious Universe that responds to our
wishes and minds, I think prayer makes perfect sense.
I have seen hundreds of examples only in my own life of wishing to meet
a person, or changing some event or dynamic and life changes in
accord with my wishes.
This is the purest, truest sense of 'answered' prayer.

OR, you could take a page from Carrol Lewis, when I pray on bended knee
a rise a different man, I count that is a prayer that was answered.

..
I hope my experiences have helped me give an answer that helps you.
blessings.

SW

[sandworm]

My car broke once, and I was left with the choice to bike or spend money I
did not have to get to work. I prayed, and the answer in my head said "Fix the bike and ride" for a year.
ALMOST every day I would think of something I could use, money, a tail light for the bike, a scarf and within 48 hours, but usually 24 hours, I would find that item on my way to
or back from work. The Universe replies, in spite of our belief in a DEITY.

One man visited his friend who was also a scientist and an atheist, and debunker of
superstition.
He noted a horseshoe over the door, and asked the friend how he could
practice such nonsense superstition, How could he believe a horse shoe could
bring 'good luck'.
> Oh, the friend replied, I am given to understand it works whether you believe in
it or not.

SW

[lizardlady]

Trippin and Jitters, thanks. I like the idea of saying "I'll keep them in my thoughts." Like you said, it acknowledges the request without being confrontational with the person.

[lizardlady]

Sandworm, wow our experiences and beliefs are very similar. Your comment about the universe providing inspite of belief in a deity really rang true for me. I believe we get what we need in life, not what we want, but what we need. I also believe that we get back what we put out into the world. I also believe that suffering is part of life.

[sandworm]

Pain is part of life, suffering is option. Suffering comes from attachment, pain from
experiences in life that are not in accord with what favors humans.
(a paraphrasing from the I CHING).
In my experience I have come to the feeling that we get what we 'pray' or think for
dependent on our mind and hearts harmony with the Universe, when we are out of
harmony then the Universe does not respond. I also feel there may be a component of
whether what we are asking for is in alignment with what is easy or hard for the
Universe to give, provided the flow at that time.
example, If we ask for water, while the sky is draught, we may find some water
in a well we are standing over, but
our sister or brother who asked will not get it because they ask while out of
reach of any water source, and not in a river path from the county 100 miles away
that is having a rain burst.
The brother, sister goes thirsty for misfortune of being in the wrong place at the
wrong time, and asking 'out of season' for what they desire.

At times I have wished to meet a woman and found none despite my wishes and efforts,
at other times, out of work, looking like a hippy, I was awash in prospects because
the 'time was ripe for reaping'.
Much of wisdom is timing << Theodore Roosevelt>

[pachyderm]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

I am not a religious person. I do not belong to any organized religion. So I'm not sure how to respond when someone asks me to pray for a person. I've tried saying "I don't pray, but I'll send them positive thoughts." That usually doesn't go over well.

Anyone have any suggestions?

I'm not sure you would have to say anything. Just a serious nod -- or an "OK".

It might work!

[Gus1234U]

if one is constantly well-wishing others, there is no need for prayer, the occasional begging for indulgences. better then to practice constantly improving one's ability to accept and feel compassion for those around us, those we don't even know but hear about, and those who anger and even injure us. in this way we become the prayer always said.

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by pachyderm

I'm not sure you would have to say anything. Just a serious nod -- or an "OK".

It might work!

Good idea pachy! Thanks.

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by Gus1234U

if one is constantly well-wishing others, there is no need for prayer, the occasional begging for indulgences. better then to practice constantly improving one's ability to accept and feel compassion for those around us, those we don't even know but hear about, and those who anger and even injure us. in this way we become the prayer always said.

Gus, sounds like loving kindness, something I stive for , but am not always good at. Thanks.

[happiedasiy]

Blessings and best wishes to all no matter what path they follow.
Religon and faith and the truth. I have faith it lys in the truth which is my way of understanding. All religious writtings have the perspective of the auther of that time.
Forgetting we have inquistive minds' and brains to think for ourselves today without the brutatity of past consenquences.
Seek out the truth, the good , the bad, and be neutral with your emotions. Be not attatched to sorrow or joy for neither are permanent.
We are all our own universe connected together through and seperated by the unlearned dark matter of space. Expand your mind and explore everything find understanding and truth.
Know that life is suffering, Find the cause of this suffering. Knowing the cause, Follow and find a path that leads to the end of this. Once there share your wisdom. Happy Holidays!

[Open Eyes]

In this forum you don't have to really offer prayers. It is not designed to be a religious forum. It is designed to offer each of our spirtual assistance to anyone who comes here needing to find support that can let them know they are not alone in a very difficult personal struggle, an ill parent, their own fear from a health issue or something that presents them with feeling frightened and alone somehow.

Though there are different opinions about spirituality, the important thing to remember is the person in need and how any one of us can reach out wether we are religious or not. Sending hugs can be one form of comfort. "I am here to listen if you need me", can be another comfort. It is a personal expression, saying something, is better than saying nothing, it really doesn't have to be an offer of prayer. It could be answer to a prayer, "please don't let me feel so alone".

Open Eyes

[di meliora]

"I wish you well."

[lizardlady]

Open Eyes, I was asking more about how to respond in the outside world.

[Perna]

I think I would say something along the lines of, "Thank you for thinking to include me." It's a bit of a non sequitur but both sincere and the other person can assume whatever they are going to assume without it getting into your business or upsetting you. That way you can "give" in your own way.

i am not religious either. but, frankly, while prayer is usually associated with religion (of which there are many, each with their own prayers to different gods / prophets / saints, etc.), i do not believe that praying has to be religious in nature. sending someone positive energy is a form of praying. even if you are in a church praying for someone, your good intentions for them are a form of positive energy. religions do not have a copyright on the word "pray."

so, when sending someone positive energy, it's okay to describe it as prayer. in fact, it might be better using the term prayer because they will probably be more receptive to your expressed goodwill. they do not need to know that your "prayer" for them was to the universe or to the powers of nature.

[sabby]

I would like to gently remind everyone that this forum's posting guidelines do not allow us to post about specific religions/scripture etc. Please be careful in posting to not post outside of the guidelines.

Much appreciated!

sabby