to think that there is a time and a place, but the school playground is not it?

[Beejayel]

I probably am BU, but I'd like to hear what the rest of you think.

One of the mums I see at school every morning is a wheelchair user, she is a lovely lady, and I know that she is a regular church goer.
This morning at drop off (DD in reception year of CofE primary school), outside the class door in the playground, I saw this lady had her trousers rolled up above her knees and one of the dads had his hands on her knees and was loudly praying to God for his healing powers.
Now, I'm not averse to the idea of prayer, I would like to think there is a chance it could help her, I just think the busy playground is not a suitable time or place to do it so loudly and openly. It was very 'in-your-face', but is that ok? Or inappropriate?

I wouldn't have my GP examine me and prescribe medicine in the school playground either. Nor would I change my sanitary towel. Both legitimate processes, but private.

I grew up as an old-school Anglican, for God's sake. Praying should never be visible. That's why you close your eyes and put your hands together - that way, no risk of seeing anyone doing it, or putting your hands on someone's knees.

This rife faith-healing and prostrating in playgrounds up and down the country is exactly why the NSS are campaigning for separation of religion and schools.

Joan, I often pray with my eyes open and no one would have any idea I was praying.

Are bare knees unacceptable?

Oh no god definitely dioesn't belong at the school gates. Shock , horror.

They were praying. So what? Move on.

Now if they were forcing other parents and children to pray with them, then you could be up in arms. Since they weren't, leave them to it and do your own thing.

A bit icky.

But doing anything loudly and ostentatiously in public is a bit icky.

And praying like this is anti- Biblical, surely?

Im imagining turning the clock back to the time when Jesus performed his miracles. I bet he got the same reception!!

If he'd started performing miracles in the school playground, yes I hope he did. IIRC he usually performed them in a private house or in public but at a religious meeting. But it's a while since I read the gospels.

Lottie, I didn't witness a miracle yesterday (not that I'm aware of at least)!

See what this morning brings Beejayel.

Didn't Jesus have something to say about people who make very ostentatious displays of piety, as in, "don't do it"? I could be wrong.

Hahahahahahahhaha @ the trousers having to be rolled up. Prayer can conquer anything except a pair of slacks.

Is there a possibility the lady wasn't entirely comfortable with it, and she didn't like to say no? Awkward?

What if the lady asked him to do it? Should he say "no, no-one wants to see your knee"?

Well, she was still using her wheelchair this morning.

Sparkling, there is that possibility I guess. The dad has been known to preach to other parents at the gates. He may have asked if she minded if he prayed for her and she agreed, not knowing quite what that would entail!

If the lady asked him to do it, he should have said "yes, of course- let's find somewhere more private"

Attention seeking git are the words that spring to mind- and obviously not thinking WWJD?

Oh wouldn't it have been lovely if I'd been able to come on here this morning and yell 'Hallelujah! The lady walks!'
I am starting to feel like I am ridiculing her, I'm not, I am sad for her. However, I feel uncomfortable with ostentatious displays of piety

Praying?? Really praying and at a church school????

What is the world coming to?? [faints]

She may not have been able to walk, but if she found some grain of comfort or a moments relief from him doing it, why on earth not?

I am wondering if she thought they would just have a minute of quiet prayer together Beejayel, and not the trouser rolling perhaps.

I am baffled that prayer can repair whatever damage has occurred to her spine or brain or legs but is flummoxed by a bit of polyester covering her knees.

I bet it wasn't a catholic school. Catholic god can thwart all medium weight fabrics

Perhaps they were Teflon coated Pagwatch.

In the playground?
What with kids running around them and everything? Lots of people, lots of attention, (if it's true and I am not being my usual suckerrrrrr)
Well, they were obviously just doing it for the glory :)

ha! You just try and stop those healers when they spot an injury! Wild horses won't put 'em off IME. I have a bad back and I have learned to avoid social occassions when hippy healer lady is there. Otherwise she just lunges for me.... Wouldn't mind but I obviously don't have the right attitude as it never works.

I would just give the wheelchair lady a big stick

Wasn't necessarily prayer for her to get out of the wheelchair and walk.

I remember hearing a talk by someone who had gone to hear a preacher talk on healing. At the end the preacher told everyone to pray with the person next to them. They turned round and realised the person next to them was in a wheelchair and though "oh heck... everyone is going to expect a miracle here... and everyone's going to know it hasn't worked"
So they resignedly turned to them and said (as the preacher had told them to) "What would you like prayer for?" And got the reply "I've got a terribly itchy rash on my back. Can you pray it stops itching."