How to pray if you’re a non-believer?

[Anonymous]

I just pray “God, in case I’m wrong and it turns out you are in fact real and paying attention to this,, please xyz.” I only do this on behalf of other people, not myself.

[Anonymous]

Op, you can wish her well.

[Anonymous]

Think of “holding her in the light” or sending her positive energy or healing wishes. Spend a few quiet minutes thinking about her and about small supportive gestures that will make her feel cared for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A close friend lost her infant daughter recently. When asked how we could help, she had only one request of her friends and family-to pray.

I’m an atheist but I love my friend dearly.

I’m trying to think how to honor her request in a way that is genuine.

Any ideas how to approach this?

This is the weirdest question ever. Why would you bother praying if you’re a non believer. If you just want to make your friend feel better, just tell her you praise for her.

[Anonymous]

My sister sends positive/warm thoughts.

I do ask God (whatever higher power or energy/force that you think might exist??) to watch over that person.

I rarely tell God how I think it should come out.

I do often pray to Mary (who Catholics believe is Gods mother) if the issue involves children or mothers, since I think she puts a good word in to her son.

[Anonymous]

I also believe that those who have gone to heaven already--like my parents--may intercede on behalf of younger ones on earth.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I have prayed to the Universe, or with the hope that the goodness in the Universe can help someone heal. I have “prayed” in the hope that my sincere good wishes can somehow reach and touch someone I love. Prayer can be directed towards someone that you want to hold in prayer — without identifying a specific divine intermediary. I have a friend who prayed with and for me during a time of crisis and I truly valued the gifts of his spirit.
As others have said, you can also reach out in other ways — particularly as time passes, to let you know that they are in your thoughts and to offer practical assistance.

If I made a video of me and my child “praying” in this way, would it be offensive to someone religious?

Why would you make a video of this to send to anyone???

Because my friend asked for it and it’s what lots of our friends have been doing-making these videos for her of them praying together. It’s important to her, I think it’s one way she’s deriving meaning from this tragedy is to think it has inspired people to pray.

Asking people to pray is one thing, asking people to video record themselves praying and to send it the video is ...something strange.

Yeahhhhh. I’m an atheist and have no issue with the prayer request part, but the video part? I really don’t want that to be the price of my friendship. I’m a kind, caring person, but the video part isn’t going to happen.

Op here. No one is compelled to do anything they don’t want to do. My friend didn’t ask for videos, she asked for prayers and the videos grew out of that request.

I would of course rather do
Something else but she’s specifically come out and said “thanks everyone for reaching out asking what you can do. All we are asking for is prayers.”
She then goes on imploring people to pray.....it’s really compelling and I just want to listen to what she’s asking is all.

If you are an atheist, I would not send a video of you praying. That is weird. Who would you be praying too? Just send a card saying that you have been thinking of her and her family. I am 46 and this whole thread makes me feel old. What is up with young people that they have to out do each other in a request for prayer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just pray “God, in case I’m wrong and it turns out you are in fact real and paying attention to this,, please xyz.” I only do this on behalf of other people, not myself.

I doubt that God, if it turns out that he is real, would pay attention to a prayer from an atheist, unless he thought it might convert you into a believer.

Would it? If your prayer were "answered" would you become a believer, or would you think the result would have happened anyway without your supplication?

[Anonymous]

If she wants a video, you could show yourself lighting a candle, while saying this is for the baby.

[Anonymous]

I used to be religious and am now an atheist, so I encounter this a lot with old friends.

I just say "peace be upon [persons name]" as a sort of loving intention sent out into the universe.

If you are inclined to do the video, I might just light a candle and just say something simple like that. It can be more of a wish than a prayer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have prayed to the Universe, or with the hope that the goodness in the Universe can help someone heal. I have “prayed” in the hope that my sincere good wishes can somehow reach and touch someone I love. Prayer can be directed towards someone that you want to hold in prayer — without identifying a specific divine intermediary. I have a friend who prayed with and for me during a time of crisis and I truly valued the gifts of his spirit.
As others have said, you can also reach out in other ways — particularly as time passes, to let you know that they are in your thoughts and to offer practical assistance.

If I made a video of me and my child “praying” in this way, would it be offensive to someone religious?

Why would you make a video of this to send to anyone???

Because my friend asked for it and it’s what lots of our friends have been doing-making these videos for her of them praying together. It’s important to her, I think it’s one way she’s deriving meaning from this tragedy is to think it has inspired people to pray.

Asking people to pray is one thing, asking people to video record themselves praying and to send it the video is ...something strange.

Yeahhhhh. I’m an atheist and have no issue with the prayer request part, but the video part? I really don’t want that to be the price of my friendship. I’m a kind, caring person, but the video part isn’t going to happen.

Op here. No one is compelled to do anything they don’t want to do. My friend didn’t ask for videos, she asked for prayers and the videos grew out of that request.

I would of course rather do
Something else but she’s specifically come out and said “thanks everyone for reaching out asking what you can do. All we are asking for is prayers.”
She then goes on imploring people to pray.....it’s really compelling and I just want to listen to what she’s asking is all.

If you are an atheist, I would not send a video of you praying. That is weird. Who would you be praying too? Just send a card saying that you have been thinking of her and her family. I am 46 and this whole thread makes me feel old. What is up with young people that they have to out do each other in a request for prayer?

It helps pious people feel more pious

[Anonymous]

Nothing in nowhere
I pray into the air
For my friend who is close
To not be morose
Amen or whatever
Let it be so

There. You can tell your friend you prayed. Win-Win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just pray “God, in case I’m wrong and it turns out you are in fact real and paying attention to this,, please xyz.” I only do this on behalf of other people, not myself.

I doubt that God, if it turns out that he is real, would pay attention to a prayer from an atheist, unless he thought it might convert you into a believer.

Would it? If your prayer were "answered" would you become a believer, or would you think the result would have happened anyway without your supplication?

Well, you're praying for a friend who lost a child, not for yourself. Presumably God, if he existed, would not be so callous as to say, "because this request to bring comfort to a grieving mom came from an atheist, I'm not going to do it."