I don't hate a lot of things, but cliches are definitely in the Top 5. When I see "my thoughts and prayers are with you" in the wake of a death or tragedy, it makes me gnash my teeth because I think it's just something people say, even when they're not thinking/praying.
Good question. I despise seeing that crap all over Facebook. I agree with you. Just something they say. How many of those folks actually stop what they're doing and pray?? Or, they use that little prayer hands emoticon. Yea that's thought provoking and profound.
Like that one church shooting last year. Immediately all over social media, people were sending their thoughts and prayers about the CHURCH shooting. Really?? Thoughts and prayers didn't exactly help there, did it??
Just empty words.......
People rarely offer to pray for me, maybe they think it's opening a door to (church lady voice) SATAN. When it happens, I acknowledge they're wishing me well...or maybe they're trying to justify their own delusions and validate their mythology by converting me.
I'll often tell people, I wish you the best or I hope you win the lottery.
I tell them that I am glad they knew love and hope they find peace.
I offer condolences and then do what I can to change the situation
If they're going through or recovering from a medical procedure, "I hope [it] goes as quickly and as painlessly as possible." For deceased loved ones I offer my condolences.
“You are in my loving thoughts” is what I sometimes say. Best not to leave it to the grieving person to assign helping tasks. You know what they need—help with pet care, running errands, grocery shopping, picking kids up from school, rides to medical appointments, etc. Just say, “This must be a difficult time for you. May I help by ...”
Depends on if loss was accidental malicious or if was caused by a long suffering.
Never should an Atheist pretend prEyer has any efficacy ever in all of history. ...irrationality and magical thinking is learned dysfunctional behaviour.....no matter what the occasion I offer condolences, sympathy and acknowledgment of the grave situation. ...hoping they remain strong to endure their travails