# "... in our/your prayers": is this ever meant literally? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 21, 2015, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-our-your-prayers-is-this-ever-meant-literally/732152 "2015-09-21T21:13:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-our-your-prayers-is-this-ever-meant-literally/732152/21 "2015-09-22T13:37:46Z")
I’m not affiliated with a church, or even a religion anymore, and I still ‘literally pray for people’, yes. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-our-your-prayers-is-this-ever-meant-literally/732152/22 "2015-09-22T13:55:34Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I assume it is literal whenever I see it. Which is why I never say it even though it would do no harm to do so. Same here. And I’m a little uncomfortable when someone specifically says, “please, keep me in your prayers”. I don’t want to explain that I don’t do praying, I don’t want to tell them, “no”, and so I just kind of do a sage head nod and walk away. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-our-your-prayers-is-this-ever-meant-literally/732152/23 "2015-09-22T13:59:46Z")
I’ll say at least a quick prayer for the person in these situations. So, yes, I mean it literally, albeit not in the sense of a full novena. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-our-your-prayers-is-this-ever-meant-literally/732152/24 "2015-09-22T14:18:05Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I’ve assumed with most of the people I know who use this phrasing, it is literal. Back when I used to be a practicing Catholic, if I told someone they were in my prayers, that literally meant that I would say a prayer for them/mention them in a prayer. I currently use the phrase “Keeping you in my thoughts”, or something to that effect, as I’m no longer religious and I take the “prayers” phrase literally. Word-for-word, this is my experience and view, as well. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-our-your-prayers-is-this-ever-meant-literally/732152/25 "2015-09-22T15:45:25Z")
I’d assume they mean it literally, I don’t recall anyone ever saying it to me and not sure how I’d feel about it. I think I find it rather off-putting to be honest. I mean I definitely don’t want anyone saying prayers for me but how could I tell them not to? ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-our-your-prayers-is-this-ever-meant-literally/732152/26 "2015-09-22T18:24:40Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Yes, literally. Both in general and specifically. We have a prayer list at my church, for specific people and a list of people who pray during the week. I ask if people want to be included on the list. If not, I just pray myself. > > Regards, > Shodan Do you end your prayers with “regards, Shodan”? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-our-your-prayers-is-this-ever-meant-literally/732152/27 "2015-09-22T19:39:58Z")
There have been times when I said I would and then forgot to; I felt incredibly guilty. I go back and forth about whether I believe God intervenes in any way. But no matter where I am immediately in the pendulum swing, if they believe, and it will be a comfort to them, I’m always willing to spend 2 minutes on my knees for them. Sometimes I feel ridiculous doing it, and other times it feels like a very powerful force for good. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-our-your-prayers-is-this-ever-meant-literally/732152/28 "2015-09-22T20:05:09Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Do you end your prayers with “regards, Shodan”? 🙂 😃 Amen, Shodan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-our-your-prayers-is-this-ever-meant-literally/732152.md?page=1)