Thread: 'Do Not Pray' lists prove popular

DEARBORN, Mich. — Elias Al-Karim says he's always gotten along well with his neighbors, who are evangelical Christians. But he was angered recently to learn that they had added his name, and the names of his wife and children, to Community Faith Center's corporate prayer list. Elias called the church to complain.

"We do not want prayer from Christians, and we did not ask for it," he told a reporter. "It's a violation to pray for someone without their knowledge or consent."

To ease tensions, the church did what many churches and ministries are increasingly doing: started a "do not pray" list. The list grew rapidly after Al-Karim alerted the local newspaper about his experience. Hundreds of Muslims, atheists, Mormons and even pagans called to have their names added to the list. Now when prayer requests come in to the church, names are checked against the list before they receive prayer.

"We have to respect people's wishes," says the pastor. "If they really don't want prayer, we honor that."

But many church members disagree.

"I can pray for whoever I want," says one member of the church who has started an underground prayer list and circulates it by email. "The reason they don't want prayer is their minds are blinded. And that's what I'm praying against."

Sharon Grumman, a self-described "blue-state liberal freakazoid" says she was furious to learn that a co-worker had put her name on Peace Lutheran's prayer list in Scottsdale, Ariz.

"Who gave them permission to practice their religious voodoo on me and my children?" says the single mother. "I consider it spiritual harassment, even if I do think prayer is bogus."

Others feel the same way. A devout Hindu shoe store owner in Cincinnati believes the prayers of a local church have hindered him from gathering great wealth.

"If I'm praying to my gods and the Christians are praying to theirs, the prayers cancel out," he says with evident frustration...

www.noprayerlist.com

I kind of understand..

when someone, I know isn't a believer, says "I'm going to pray for you".. I'm always tempted to ask A. why? You don't believe anything, or B. who are you going to pray TO?

I'd just as soon not have them praying to their gods.

NOT that I think it makes a difference at all.. Our God is sovereign.

Originally Posted by Valiant Woman

I'm like that church member..."I'll pray for who I want..." How can they legally stop anyone from praying for them?

The Bible commands us to "pray for all men" (mankind) 1 Tim. 2:1. The only way I'll not pray for someone is if the Holy Spirit directs me not to. Period.

I gotta ask...Why are these churches making it public who they're praying for anyway? Christians can do some really kooky things at times. -_-

agreed

A. pray B don't talk about it.

Lark is a satirical site. It's not for real.

Originally Posted by Bookman

Lark is a satirical site. It's not for real.

Well I think nobody went to the link because krys disguised it with a normal link. Sneaky sneaky.

Just a bit of trivia. When actress Joan Crawford was on her deathbed, her maid began to pray for her. Joan, in a profanity-filled response told her, "*@%# don't you dare pray for me!" Sad, sad, sad.

Originally Posted by Bookman

Lark is a satirical site. It's not for real.

Originally Posted by fuego

Well I think nobody went to the link because krys disguised it with a normal link. Sneaky sneaky.

What I can't believe is that YOU of all people figured it out!

Originally Posted by Bookman

Just a bit of trivia. When actress Joan Crawford was on her deathbed, her maid began to pray for her. Joan, in a profanity-filled response told her, "*@%# don't you dare pray for me!" Sad, sad, sad.

I think I heard that before, yep, unbelievably sad.

Even tho the story is fake there are people that take offense at even a simple 'God bless you'.