They believe in it. What is prayer but asking for something to happen, a type of intention. When we focus on being well or other's being well, it puts that person in mind and we are communicating to ourselves and others that this is what we hope for. People may think to their god or Mary or some saint, and maybe in the course of doing so it propels them to think about ways to make something happen. Maybe just knowing people want you to be well helps you to feel better and try more. Maybe you will give him a tip or say something inspiring.You don't have to believe in the same God to be behind what this person is hoping for. I think very often people care more that you want well for them than that you ascribe to the same theology as they do.

A recent article about the the false missile attack on Hawaii quoted someone as saying he and his family all got into their bathtub and prayed. Everyone says their prayers saved them but forget about all the others who also prayed and didn't survive. One thing I wonder; if everyone says they can't wait to meet Jesus why do they pray to delay that meeting??

My late partner was dying of a brain tumor. She sent out the message no tears and no prayers (she was a lifelong atheist from Iran). We received a call from a friend in Canada who said he would pray for her. I told him she didn't want his prayers and found them insulting. He said it was just a matter of speech (so most of thee time they don't really mean it). He then circulated a card among our Canadian friends with a Thomas Kincade picture on the front and biblical quotes inside. Some ran with that and offered prayers. When she saw that (only her speech was affected) she pointed at me and wiggled her fingers meaning I was to do something which I do every chance I get. Thanks for letting me once again, vent.

No, I hate that crap

I haven't had anyone lately ask for prayers for something so superficial. But I do see requests for prayers because of illness or something similarly serious. I ignore the request per se. If it's someone in my own circle I will answer with some words of encouragement and/or say that s/he will be in my thoughts. Won't lie and won't pander.

I also unfriend them, it really peeves me, and i think if I was a Christian, it would peeve me even more.

If you respond with Allah Ahkbar they tend to stop asking.....

If I respond, which I never do to the blanket posts, I say something like "Sending positive thoughts."

I just ignore them on FaceBook sense it seems to a general request sent out to all the "friends" and there are enough on there who will agree that I am not too worried anyone will miss mine. Yes it is annoying. I am still flabbergasted at otherwise intelligent people believing in a false god.

I usually just ignore it. most of my friends that would ask me are not close friends, and it would not bother me if they unfriend me over it, but most of them don't notice my non response.

I don't get annoyed - hardly worth it.

But I have told a couple that they're asking the wrong source ...

Something like this?

I never get mad about someone saying that about a relative. Emotions run very high when it comes to family and if I can give some parent about to have a total breakdown some comfort with a tiny lie I will. I was once with some family in a pediatric surgery unit and the parents there all looked like they were about to burst into tears out of pure fear. I won't judge anyone in that situation.

The rest of the requests for pray annoy me a bit but I generally ignore them.

Well... unfriending people on social media doesn't make me angry... but their prayer requests do...

I get asked to pray on FB-I now ignore or ask what I can do to help. I have an old childhood friend who is going through Chemo and she set up a Caring Bridge page which makes all conversation personal. Way to go without asking for prayers.