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Original poster

Would you request a prayer from someone of a different religion to you?

54 replies

Dilbertian · 17/05/2024 16:13

Some work colleagues have just set up a Christian prayer group. Although the group is specifically for Christians, they say they welcome prayer requests from people of any faiths, and they will pray for anyone who asks them to.

I have no objection whatsoever to this group or its aims. I'm just curious whether, if you are not Christian, would you ask Christians to pray for you? If you don't believe Jesus, for example, would you want prayers said for you in Jesus' name?

Would it work the other way around? Would Christians ask for prayers from Jews or Hindus?

OP posts:

IvyGrippedtheSteps · 17/05/2024 16:16

Honestly, I struggle to imagine ever requesting prayers from anyone of any faith. It’s like asking someone to scratch their nose because yours is itchy.

AGlinnerOfHope · 17/05/2024 16:18

Lots of people seem to welcome prayers as a last ditch effort, or a feeling of increasing positive energy/hood vibes.
Or 'I don't go to church but did when I was a kid and it makes me feel better to know randoms are remembering my worry, even if I don't really believe anymore.'

saraclara · 17/05/2024 16:18

I would never ask someone to pray for me. But I worked in a predominantly Muslim area, and the families I worked with would often tell me that they prayed to Allah for me. I'm not any kind of religious (though Christian in the past) but I was just very touched by the gesture.

Wrongsideofpennines · 17/05/2024 16:30

I think its as @saraclara put it, that I would be touched that someone would care enough about my issue to bring it to their own god.
And some people would think 'well it probably won't work but it'll do no harm for everyone to be praying about it'.

OpalSpirit · 17/05/2024 16:32

My religious parent welcomed prayers from friends of other faiths when he was ill with cancer.
My Christian friend added his name to a prayer tree with expanded across different churches. Meant a lot to my dad.

Sorciere1 · 17/05/2024 16:35

My Jewish mother always welcomed prayers from Christians on behalf of my chronically ill sister; she believed we all pray to the same god.

therealcookiemonster · 17/05/2024 16:38

personally I'm grateful for any prayers made for me. if nothing else it means that person is thinking of me kindly and wishes me well. and that itself is worth a lot.

some individuals attract people of many faiths... if you go to any of the Dargas (Sufi Muslim mausoleums), hundreds of thousands of people of all faiths flock there to ask for blessings. its a truly beautiful thing.

I belong to a sufi community and have also seen many people of various faiths of no faith come for advice/guidance and/or prayers from my spiritual guide.

ValueAddedTaxonomy · 17/05/2024 16:45

I find something genuinely meaningful about people praying for something that affects me or people I love. Something about their focused and reflective goodwill. Their loving kindness.
I have sometimes attended Quakers in the past, and have asked them to keep my son in their mind during their meetings. And when at a Tibetan monastery in Scotland I made use of an opportunity for the monks' and nuns' prayers to include my son. I have also written my son's name in a book set out in a beautiful little C of E church that invited visitors to request prayers
Perhaps it is as much my request as their response to it that matters. Requesting a prayer is a way to focus love on a person, just as the prayer itself is.
It wasn't about expecting a result. It was just about people directing their concern towards him, which was a way of expressing his value, his importance, his vulnerability and need.
Any faith that practises disciplined, universal loving kindness would be one that felt right for such a request.

Thegreatestoftheseislove · 23/05/2024 21:41

Being a Christian disciple of Lord Jesus, I would not ask a person with other beliefs to pray for me. However, if they offered, for whatever reason, I would graciously thank them for their kind thought. Being a Christian disciple of Lord Jesus, if somebody asked me to pray with or for them, I would do so - regardless of their own convictions (or lack of).

HoneyButterPopcorn · 23/05/2024 22:06

When dad died a member of my team had a mass said for him. I’m not catholic (he was an atheist and I’m not sure she knew that he was born into a catholic family). I thought that was quite nice and thoughtful.

My goddaughter died recently and her mum said she happy for have prayers from any religion to ‘send her on her way’.

MumChp · 24/05/2024 03:27

No. I wouldn't but I would always offer mine.

Elphame · 24/05/2024 23:22

No - I would not ask anyone of any faith to pray for me. Indeed, I would actively not want them.

Screamingabdabz · 24/05/2024 23:26

Yes. I believe in one God. If others pray in their faith it’s all going to the same source. I’d be very flattered, and I’d do the same for them if they wanted me to.

SpiritAdder · 24/05/2024 23:29

As it has been offered, then yes, I wouldn’t mind. My family has members of several different religions so perhaps that makes me a bit more blasé about it. I feel like all prayers go to the same ear of the Universe anyway.

Goawayquickly · 24/05/2024 23:35

I'm not religious really but a church school education is kind of engrained in me so if I hear of suffering ill sort of silently ask for that suffering to end.

For me, praying is kind thoughts and positive wishes and I'd welcome those from anyone tbh.

TheGriffle · 24/05/2024 23:35

I don’t believe in any god and follow no religion so I would never ask someone to pray for me. If a prayer was offered I would be very touched and accept their kind words and thoughts as the gesture of kindness it is, no matter what their religion.

I wish I did believe in a religion, I can see how it would feel comforting to be wrapped in your faith and have a community of like minded people around you.

Original poster

Dilbertian · 25/05/2024 10:14

Being a Christian disciple of Lord Jesus, I would not ask a person with other beliefs to pray for me. However, if they offered, for whatever reason, I would graciously thank them for their kind thought. Being a Christian disciple of Lord Jesus, if somebody asked me to pray with or for them, I would do so - regardless of their own convictions (or lack of).

This is sort of what I was thinking. But then this makes sense lot of sense, too:

I find something genuinely meaningful about people praying for something that affects me or people I love. Something about their focused and reflective goodwill. Their loving kindness...Requesting a prayer is a way to focus love on a person, just as the prayer itself is...Any faith that practises disciplined, universal loving kindness would be one that felt right for such a request.

OP posts:

Hoppinggreen · 25/05/2024 10:17

I would never ask anyone for prayers as I don't believe in them BUT if someone said they were going to pray for me I would think it was nice - unless of course they were doing ot because they think I am going to Hell or something.
When I was on my Hen Do I spoke to a sikh man as I sat down on a bench for 10 minutes, he said that he would pray for my marriage and a long and happy future for both me and DH when he went to his Temple later and I was very touched by that.

BobbyBiscuits · 25/05/2024 10:20

I'm not religious but sometimes I do say I'm 'praying to every god' for something.
My Muslim friend asks me to pray for him a lot, even though I have no religion.
I guess it's quite common maybe?

Chillilounger · 25/05/2024 10:29

Depends on the religion. I think prayers are interchangeable between Jews Christians and Muslims because in essence they're praying to the same god. But Hindus and Buddhists for example have a completely different belief structure.

LlynTegid · 25/05/2024 10:31

I have had people of other faiths ask for me to pray for something. For example one male work colleague when his wife went into labour, for a safe delivery.

LuciaPillson · 26/05/2024 07:59

I like @therealcookiemonster's post about people of all faiths coming to Sufi Dargahs or Sufi guides, and @ValueAddedTaxonomy's post about benefitting from receiving loving-kindness from various sources.

I will add what I am sure was implicit in both posts and more on here which is that giving out loving-kindness is so important.

Prayer can be of all sorts but I greatly appreciate that which is open to all and in the spirit of giving and compassion.

So my answer is yes, if the prayers are along these general lines.

I think we can also pray, not only for things that we or others want but also to be more compassionate ourselves.

My favourite Buddhist nun is quoted as saying that meditators are lights in the darkness and I love this.

I am dying of cancer and the idea of someone holding light and kindness for me, or my being able to do it for them, feels meaningful just now.

StoatofDisarray · 26/05/2024 08:29

It's a nice gesture that probably makes them feel good/makes them look good to their chosen deity.

I'd be more impressed if they offered emotional support or practical help to people in need, rather than sitting around chanting.

Original poster

Dilbertian · 26/05/2024 09:12

If a person believes in the power of prayer, then knowing that people are praying for them is emotional support.

OP posts:

Rocknrollstar · 26/05/2024 09:45

I wouldn’t request a prayer but have on occasions been offered a prayer by devout Christians and I always say thank you and accept. What harm can it do and it makes them feel good. And it might help? However, I did refuse the hospital chaplain when my DH was dangerously ill. That seemed too formal. I also refused the Rabbi as I knew my husband would not have been happy.

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