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What is your opinion on people on social media (Facebook) who post asking people to "pray" for someone they know who is in dire straits? I have been noticing this a lot and it makes me wonder are they really sincere in their efforts or just "fishing for likes/comments". And I also wonder if they really do need "prayer", why don't they post themselves. And if the poster is doing this without the person's permission or blessing. I noticed one today that went into great detail about the "issue" that asked for prayer and it made me wonder if the person wanted strangers to know such personal details about them. Thoughts?
That such things are personally meaningful and comforting to them due to personal culture.
It doesn't have to do with fear. It has to do with what brings comfort to those in need.
The internet and social media have made it easy for people to be exposed to essentially total strangers who they'd never know in real life. Or forced through work strangers' peer pressure to interact when you never would. And those strangers get to have all types of opinions and judgement on your beliefs and actions. Then you even get accused of trolling your OWN WALL "asking for likes or comments".
Who cares?
Is money awarded for likes and comments and you're missing out on it?
I would never do Facebook and have a fake name account used strictly for reading stuff.
I had one for my business which I shut down the MOMENT one of my dopey clients posted a passive aggressive lie about something on my wall.
Don't need the aggravation.
My suggestion is to not follow people with whom you know you have fundamental differences. That's hours and hours of your life you'll never get back for absolutely no reason.
What is your opinion on people on social media (Facebook) who post asking people to "pray" for someone they know who is in dire straits? I have been noticing this a lot and it makes me wonder are they really sincere in their efforts or just "fishing for likes/comments". And I also wonder if they really do need "prayer", why don't they post themselves. And if the poster is doing this without the person's permission or blessing. I noticed one today that went into great detail about the "issue" that asked for prayer and it made me wonder if the person wanted strangers to know such personal details about them. Thoughts?
The prayer requests are often ridiculous, people who ask for prayers for their hairdresser's neighbors' nephews co-worker's aunt. I mean, come on!! Not to mention the ones who have to post their entire day, from what they ate for breakfast to pics of their lunch, to the groceries they bought after work. Or the ones who post cryptic comments like "worst day ever" to try to bait people into asking "are you okay?", "what's wrong?", etc. That's why I quit facebook, too annoying.
OK, if you happen to believe that prayer is beneficial, well fine, go right ahead. Its probably better than cursing someone. But to assume that the person you want prayers for even wants or welcomes your efforts seems quite bizarre.
Reminds me of when my Uncle was dying, and I posted about it on City-Data just to vent my own feelings... but I specifically said DO NOT pray for him, because he would have called that mumbo jumbo. He was a Jewish Atheist, which is a thing, and was never afraid to express his thoughts on the matter. So I knew he would not appreciate "prayers being sent," but would appreciate knowing people had him in their minds and hearts. Not to mention, there are no prayers that could cure what he had (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease). So if anyone wanted to do something in his honor, I'd tell them to donate to CJD research.
Btw he passed away in 2009, and I still miss him so much.
My FIL went through a rough patch about two years ago and I asked for prayers (the only time I've ever done this in the eleven years I've had a facebook account) because of my extended family who are all on facebook.
What is your opinion on people on social media (Facebook) who post asking people to "pray" for someone they know who is in dire straits? I have been noticing this a lot and it makes me wonder are they really sincere in their efforts or just "fishing for likes/comments". And I also wonder if they really do need "prayer", why don't they post themselves. And if the poster is doing this without the person's permission or blessing. I noticed one today that went into great detail about the "issue" that asked for prayer and it made me wonder if the person wanted strangers to know such personal details about them. Thoughts?
I have never ever thought that. Fishing for what?
I take it at face value and think they just want prayer or positive thoughts.
The prayer requests are often ridiculous, people who ask for prayers for their hairdresser's neighbors' nephews co-worker's aunt. I mean, come on!! Not to mention the ones who have to post their entire day, from what they ate for breakfast to pics of their lunch, to the groceries they bought after work. Or the ones who post cryptic comments like "worst day ever" to try to bait people into asking "are you okay?", "what's wrong?", etc. That's why I quit facebook, too annoying.
That is my biggest gripe with people on FB...the open ended, cryptic, “fishing” messages. On top of the play-by-play sports posts when a big game is on TV. Smh
Reminds me of when my Uncle was dying, and I posted about it on City-Data just to vent my own feelings... but I specifically said DO NOT pray for him, because he would have called that mumbo jumbo. He was a Jewish Atheist, which is a thing, and was never afraid to express his thoughts on the matter. So I knew he would not appreciate "prayers being sent," but would appreciate knowing people had him in their minds and hearts. Not to mention, there are no prayers that could cure what he had (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease). So if anyone wanted to do something in his honor, I'd tell them to donate to CJD research.
Btw he passed away in 2009, and I still miss him so much.
It is indeed, as I'm one, too.
Social media spotlight hogs are one thing (and they come in all shapes and sizes and religious denominations), but I otherwise don't have a negative knee-jerk reaction toward people who ask for thoughts and prayers. Unless it's somehow hurting me, who am I to tell a pain and grief-stricken person that their request is superstitious at best and morally hazardous at worst?
If someone does this to me in person and tries to stress the prayer aspect (or some other spiritual notion), I'll try to politely brush it off and change the subject. If they persist and become nasty and self-righteous, then kid gloves come off. Fortunately, I've only had to resort to that once.
Further consider the Royal Family in England. One of the most prayed for families on the planet. And note how messed up _they_ are.
Note how messed up it is that the royal family of England would be one of the most prayed-for families on the planet. Back in my first 18 years of life, when I was religious and prayed nightly, I'd sometimes pray for entirely random families in faraway lands that were assumed by me and/or known by the god I was praying to to have problems of such a nature that would exceed the powers of my imagination. I give my childhood self credit for praying in such a way.
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