Question about sending prayers

[JamesL]

A couple of recent tragedies involving kids have been all over Facebook, and hundreds of thousands of people have expressed sorrow. My question isn't about the tragedies, or the desire to express sympathy, but regarding the use of one or more of the following phrases:

Sending prayers your way
Prayers going out to you
Prayers coming from me to you
Prayers on the way to you

There are probably a dozen variations of this sentiment, but they are all essentially the same. Someone says that their prayers are being sent to a victim, or the family of a victim.

When I see this, it tends to get under my skin. I read it, and my mind automatically gets theological. Prayers should go to God, not people. Looking for thoughts.

Do you ever get wrinkled when you see people express this "prayers to you" sentiment?

Do you think my disdain for this awkward phrase is justified?

Do you think it's just a matter of semantics?

Do you think most believers see this issue the same as I do?

Do you think nobody cares except for me?

Do you think I'm just looking for faults?

Would this sentiment signify anything about the spiritual condition of the one saying it?

Have you ever thought about this issue?

Thoughts, please

 

[HAMel]

...for many it's just lip service. They don't know of anything else to say.

 

[Salty]

First, prayers for deceased mean nothing.

Yes, we can pray for the family.

but overall, I think Hamel hit the nail on the head "...for many it's just lip service. They don't know of anything else to say. "

 

[kyredneck]

"They don't know of anything else to say."

I don't think there's anything inherently evil about that, maybe it'd be best if they said nothing but their intentions are generally good, I think; many times I'm at a loss for words and all I can say is 'I'm very sorry for your loss'. But yes, 'prayers for you' and not 'prayers to you' is correct. Ninevites, don't know the difference between their right or their left.

 

[Revmitchell]

A couple of recent tragedies involving kids have been all over Facebook, and hundreds of thousands of people have expressed sorrow. My question isn't about the tragedies, or the desire to express sympathy, but regarding the use of one or more of the following phrases:

Sending prayers your way
Prayers going out to you
Prayers coming from me to you
Prayers on the way to you

There are probably a dozen variations of this sentiment, but they are all essentially the same. Someone says that their prayers are being sent to a victim, or the family of a victim.

When I see this, it tends to get under my skin. I read it, and my mind automatically gets theological. Prayers should go to God, not people. Looking for thoughts.

Do you ever get wrinkled when you see people express this "prayers to you" sentiment?

Do you think my disdain for this awkward phrase is justified?

Do you think it's just a matter of semantics?

Do you think most believers see this issue the same as I do?

Do you think nobody cares except for me?

Do you think I'm just looking for faults?

Would this sentiment signify anything about the spiritual condition of the one saying it?

Have you ever thought about this issue?

Thoughts, please

There intent is to give comfort by letting them know that they are praying for them.

 

[Scarlett O.]

Goodness, I think it's just a matter of semantics.

I've said similar things sometimes and meant that I would be praying TO God FOR them.

I don't think it's any different that when a person touches you on the arm and says quite sincerely, "I'm going to put you on my prayer list, sister (or brother)" ... and then before they've gotten out of your sight, they've completely forgotten you and your problem or else they don't have a prayer list at all.

 

[Van]

Beware of prayers that cost you nothing. For example, please God reach out and comfort this person who is grieving. We are supposed to ask God to help us minister to the body, not pass the buck to God.

I believe God wants us to pray for our needs, and to ask for what we believe is in the will of God, such as comforting and healing and enlightening our loved ones.

But we must be watchful for the "L" shaped transfer prayer, please God do this or that for this or that person. We are to be the instruments in the hands of God, not the other way around.