Think of it as a foreign archaic language and translate it to "I wish you well."

I wish you well.

Train yourself to hear "I wish I could help," and then take them at their word. Give them a task.

Those that really do want to help will be grateful for something useful to do.

Those that are just mouthing pieties will be taken aback. They will either do as you ask to save face, or they will summon some excuse, at which point you can call them out, hang up, or just make a mental note - whichever best suits your temperament.

I have stage 5 kidney disease and probably will be on dialysis before the end of the year. Most people I talk to say they will pray for me (I never mention it unless it's in conversation). I just thank them and go about my day. The way I see it is that they mean well, and I refuse to get butt hurt over a sincere concern.

First off I and I'm sure this community wish you well in your battle. I do trust medical science will be your best bet. My younger sister has a terminal form of cancer that she's treating with a new experimental gene treatment that has worked extremely well and brought her normal life back. Be well.

Imagine non-believers going around hospital beds presuming some moral high ground and proselytising. It would be absurd and rude.
All the best with your battle.

I was diagnosed in April with cancer, stage 4, as far as people praying for me, I just tell them to waste their time however way they want. Personally I believe I have more important things to do than worry about what the f*** they're doing.

Best of Luck in your battle with cancer and as my daughter always said " Never stop fighting until the fighting is done," I think she 'borrowed' that line from the movie, "The Untouchables " btw.
As to the "I'll pray for you " rhetoric I always remember what Lorrae, a often outspoken 15 year old, said to the 'wandering' Chaplian when he spouted out those words to her during the first Chemo session.
" i'd rather have a Get Well card and a bunch of artificial flowers thanks, they last a whole lot longer."

Agreed. People need to keep their ridiculous religions to themselves and I no longer tolerate that nonsense in my presence. They can shove their stupid prayers and I'm more than happy to encourage them to do so.

Best wishes in your your struggle.

Totally understand what you mean. Wish you well!

I too am a cancer patient. Multiple Myeloma . No cure at the moment but good drugs to keep me going. Had a stem cell transplant, chemo ,radiation--all the good stuff. When people say " i will pray for you" I believe most mean well. it is only when one will say " i will pray for you in jesus name" that infuriates me.
that brings religion into the conversation. Their belief in fairy tales is just so unintelligent and obnoxious.
I think the word pray or prayer is just used as a metaphor to convey some sort of caring or compassion or empathy. they also might do it because they just don't know what to say. I tell them don"t feel sorry for me. I am 67 and have had a great life. I have had clean drinking water my whole life. I have had access to great medical care my whole life. I have had a roof over my head for my entire life and I never went to bed hungry unless I was to stoned or drunk to eat. Hoping that all of us with life threatening diseases have great caregivers and can stay as positive as we can. Just look to the children you see on St. Judes Children's Hospital on TV. Those children are true warriors and heroes to this 67 year old guy

As a former christian i can tell you that they think that this is the best way they can help you. Most are doing this with sincerity and feel that it is a way to show they care.

I hope you get better.
I don't have much more then that to give.

I appreciate it when my religious friends say they will pray for me, and I just say thank-you. They really are not trying to show their "moral superiority." It is just that when someone you care about suffers, you want to do something, and their prayers let me know they do care about me.

Hope your treatment is the best you can get. Don't forget to thank the doctors and nurses for helping you.

I wouldn't get too wound up about it. They are just wishing you well in their own way. Take it for what it is and in what spirit it was intended.

Would "I wish you well/the best" be better, even though wishes aren't any more effective then prayers?

I wish you many good days.

Just say "...and I will think for you." Your peace of mind matters more, don't obsess over their stupidity.

Damn! I wish you the best and hope for a full recovery! Yeah the god stuff is fustrating in times of crisis.

Please look up Curry and Hartmann grids, water veins and ley lines. US knows nothing about them and they truly exist. 99% of cancer starts here. And can be solved. I have other information if you are interested. I only want to help. Our govt has hidden this from you.

Just got home through surgery number 4 i think The doctor thinks he got it all Of course with the big C years down the road before anything is definite But i was letting friends know abut the great news and one is thank you jeus I m but i really did feel the need to remind that that trier imaginary super friend had nothing to do with it. My doctor did I while i believe they meant well I see no need to credit their imaginary friend when my did did all the hard work and deserves the credit