I just say thank you and change the subject
Maybe is better to say thanks but no thanks.
If it happens often..i usually do reply with.."you do remember I'm an atheist, right?
If it's a stranger I don't get into it...9 out of 10 times it goes right over their heads
Amen!
I say it is your time, I really do not care what you do.
not care
always be at peace with the world, in harmony, in good vibration
I thank them. Prayer has a net benefit. It doesn't do squat for those being prayed about, but it makes the one doing the praying feel good. So, on aggregate, mankind benefits from somebody praying.
Others also feel better as they are being valued and helped.
Well, valued yes. That in itself may help the prayed for feel better. It's always nice to know someone cares. I don't believe that prayer will change an outcome if there is no other variable involved.
I'd say "thank you" in a polite manner and with a smile
Maybe is better to tell them , pray for your self.
Thank you. that would be my answer.
But why thank them for? I say, I don't care what you doing.
I just Thank them and move on
thank them, seems as you believe the non sense.
Tell them to f#@k off,it is a wicked thing to say to someone.as if you are evil for not believing in a supernatural dictator that can't be justified or proven,ask them to leave you out of conversations with imaginary friends
let's live in peace and harmony with the whole world
Depends on how well I know them, but usually it's a thanks but don't waste that on me.
just take the prayer in, it's good vibration
It depends on context. It can be an expression of honest sympathy, but more often than not, the specific words "I'll pray for you" is the passive/aggressive Christian equivalent of "Fuck you". Ie; If I tell someone, "I'm going in for surgery tomorrow" and they say "I'll pray for you", I just say thanks. If they ask me if I believe in God, and I tell them I don't, that's the passive/aggressive Fuck you, to which I'll say something snappy.
LOL
If they're trying to be kind then I just say thank you.
If they're trying to be condescending or give a backhanded insult (usually about my lifestyle) then I tell them that unless they're without sin themselves they shouldn't be casting any stones so they can shove their prayers up their ass.
I think it's in Saudi Arabia where they have this punishment "stoning to death" for marital infidelity and sexual offense
Say thank you and move on. Most don't mean any harm by it and if they do, it's their time to waste.
But if they do harm you and kill you - now, that's a real waste!
Depending on the context. Sometimes a a random unknowing person says itand I agree. However when others who know I'm not religious do it I take it out spite and usually my backlash is fairly violative.
Sometimes people just say it out of habit, without even giving it a thought. Just like we say 'thank you' and no further thought is given. But, I am still annoyed inside wishing they would just get real with me when reality is actually needed.
I just say "Thank you, but you can just give me a hug instead."
Love it! Will try that
I tell them they can pray all they want but praying to their imaginary sky daddy isn't going to do anything and I didn't need no help from a non-existent being. That is if they are being rude or smartasses about it or something. Like "Oh, you are such a troubled person for thinking this. I will pray for you". But if an argument didn't occur for them to say that, and they are saying it to be nice because something bad happens, I'll either say it's not needed but thanks, or just say thanks.
"Sky daddy"? lol. Haven't heard that one before.
Please, just send money. (Sounds like the tactic the religious use!)
Depends on who is saying it, why they are saying it, the location, the audience, & many other factors.
Often asking questions which require thinking is the best response.
My response to that most of the time is, thank you. I ignore the statement, "I will pray for you," I would rather just interpreted it, in my mind as I hope things get better for you. However, if they are saying after finding out I'm an atheist I will pray for you, I say, "Do what you will, nobody will stop you, but nobody is listening to you either."
If they're being rude, I tell them no thank you. If not, I just let it go. If they believe that their prayers will help, and they care enough about me to do the thing they think will help the most, it's kind of nice. My thinking it's BS is almost beside the point...
I usually thank them, but make sure they understand I do not believe in prayers, especially in someone else praying for me. As for praying in general, I tend to believe that, if kept private, it leads to self-inspection, self-encouragement, and a personal mantra that helps people (of all religions) regain their selfonfidence and do achieve their personal goals.