I’ll pray for you

At a recent presentation an audience member asked what to say when (at the end of a conversation which includes a disagreement) the other person says, “I’ll pray for you.” The person asking the question was angry that the person who does this isn’t really participating in the conversation and is in fact, perhaps being arrogant. They certainly aren’t taking what you are saying seriously.  I’ll add that this  person might be implying, “I know you are wrong, and I will prove I’m right by appealing to God.” Or  “You are wrong because God is on my side.”

My answer to the question of what to say was simply to say, “Thank you” and not let it bother me. But another audience member had a much more brilliant response!  She said that she responds, “I will too.” When she was asked whether she meant she would pray for the other person or pray for herself, she said “Yes!”.

I love the ambiguity of the answer. But more than that, I love the empowerment it provides the person who I think felt disempowered when told they would be prayed for.