"Thanks I need all the prayers I can get."

Why did they say, "I'll pray for you"? Was it because they just found out I'm not a theist? Then my response is just to smile and nod, but in my head I'm calling them ignorant and not worth educating them.

If it was because they are sympathizing with some recent event in my life, then I'll just thank them for their kind wishes and be done with it. Praying is what comforts the superstitious because they actually believe their prayers will be heard. No harm in such beliefs in and of themselves.

My friends and coworkers know better. Being upfront about who you are and what you're willing to tolerate removes all the ridiculous friction that builds up because of being polite and hiding who you are. Let them know in a funny but firm way that that's cute but let's get back to reality. Problem solved. They may be slightly offended once but from then on out problem is solved.

If they are kind old things whose minds it would be unkind of you to try to change, say thank you ans smile. If they are nasty, pushy, one "ist" or the other, then tell them you will pray to Satan to take them. In fact, do it in front of them! Superstitious as they are to begin with, it might just ruin their day!

meh. they pray for themselves, not me. It's to make THEM feel better. I just leave them to it.

It depends on why they're saying that.

If it's a well-meaning "I hope you feel better" sort of thing, I just say thank you.

If it's a passive-aggressive "because you're gonna burn in hell" then typically I'd tell them to pray for themselves, because they'll need it more than me. (They're the one who actually believes in hell and is scared of it, or they're a hateful person who thinks me not sharing their hateful beliefs is a problem.)

The majority of my family are believers in the Christian God. We all see "the creator" in a different way. Prayer is another form of meditation, it is the one they know. I accept their gracious gift of wanting to think of me. The "you are going to hell" comments don't bother me, I just smile. We will see. I think we create our own hell right here on this earth. We are all one and in the end what we believe or don't believe might not matter at all. Good people are good people. Be as kind as you can be always.

I usually just say "thanks".
After all, what they're doing is simply making themselves feel good. And it doesn't cause me any injury. If mere words can hurt you, then you need to grow up. ( My opinion only)

I just smile and say thanks, need all the help I can get..Why get into a long stupid discussion with someone who doesn't speak your language, but probably means well..I prefer to pick my battles..when pressed on my beliefs or lack thereof,, different response, but someone saying
"I'll pray for you" constitutes no threat to me or to my personal philosophy...

It's been a while. Most folks understand that I'm an unbeliever and don't bring it up. For the rest it opens up a new conversation.

I thank them. About the same when they tell me I'm Hell-bound.

I say "thank you," if I don't know them well, but if it's someone I see a lot, I say, "There's no god, but thanks for the positive energy."

I actually said that to my sister on Facebook messenger two days ago, when I told her I'd recently stopped believing in god or the Bible. She was shocked and launched into preaching mode, but I just said she could believe in blue monkeys for all I cared..she was free to believe whatever she wanted.

She then asked if it were OK to say she'd pray for me, and I said, "Sure, since any answers to prayer have been coming from us, all along."

A friend of mine had the best answer. He said "Pray not for me, for I am no lamb, nor do I need a shepard".

I'll say Thank you, sometimes i'll even say i'll pray for you too - not that i will, but i know it makes them feel better, and don't you want your friends to feel better?

I get awkward and try to exit the room. "I left my laundry in the oven."