I reply, "That's unsurprisingly passive-aggressive of you, but whatever gets you through your night..."

I would say nothing smile and end the conversation.

Hitchen's response was, "I will think for you."

I just say 'thank you'...

I tell them, if you're gonna pray for me, whatever. I can't stop you. But can I make a request. God's suppose to know what it would take for me to believe in him, correct? Then put a time limit on it. If he doesn't do his magic by the time you finish your prayer, what does that say about your god? He's either so weak he can't do anything, or he don't give a fuck about me going to heaven. I mean, Thomas got to put his fingers into Jesus's wounds in order to believe, and he was an apostle. Either of those, or god is like the tooth fairy or Easter bunny, and just a made up figure. If that correct, what and/or who are you praying to? You could be praying to the devil without knowing it, and where does your prayers go? I'm guessing nowhere to in the room you're saying them in, and it. Prove me wrong... If you hold god to an ultimatum, and time limit on his magic gifts, you'll quickly find out why I think like this do. The bank holds you to a time limit, why can't you do the same to the creator of the universe?

I tell them that I view the "I'll pray for you.", as being insincere because it costs them nothing. Then I tell them that if they gave me twenty dollars instead, I would know that they really were being sincere. Or, I will just point out the when people say that they will pray for someone, they do not mean it literally...just using it as an insult.

~wink~ and walk away is all I ever need in that scenario

I say, great, and I will think for you.

The best I have heard, from the TV show that I have never watched, that I now use every time.... 'and I will think for you'

And I will read a book about science for you!

Thank you and I'll write a letter to Santa Claus for you.

They all say it but I bet most of them do not do it. There is an old Merle Haggard song with the line "momma used to pray that my crops would fail." That's right, folks. The old-time Christian would pray for their god to not let anything you do prosper you in any way if they thought you were not right with that god. What the hell kind of people is that? I don't need them.

If I have told them I am an atheist then their saying they'll pray for me is rude. I ask them not to pray for me. I tell them I would prefer that they did not. It is of course their business whether they pray or not and their prayers can neither hurt nor help me, but their proclaiming it that wayou is offensive and I do let them know it.

g

Keep it real! Appreciate the sentiment & not the ignorance. Unless you're on a mission from God!

Responding to imbeciles is futile. So i say, "Thank you." And move on.

I usually tell them, "fuck you", then go about my business.

I say 'thank you' and leave it at that.

"Just a prayer? ...you ran out of Thoughts? ...and What is the Purpose of that Prayer?"

Oh honey, no thank you. With a swift walk away.

Maybe, "Enjoy your self-indulgent nonsense."

"'I'll read a book for you", or "I'll thank science for you".

I usually say something along the lines of "if it makes you feel better, knock yourself out." But I think I like what @Athena put down.

If you could make it a special prayer request. Specifically, if You would pray that Jesus would make everyone on Earth a brick home built by true masons no one would be homeless tomorrow. Considering the universe was build in a week ... what's a few billion homes over night?

Seems like every new person asks this question...

No need to be an ass about. A simple, Thank you always works. Regardless of your belief, they are trying to be nice to you. I'll take all the prayers I can get!

meh, just say "thanks". We all create our own universe and they're just doing what they must for the crappy one they've constructed for themselves. The absolute best thing you can do is show them you're just fine without their god.

I know it feels good to be hateful and rude to them over it, but that just gives them more power over you than they deserve.