The act of sending out prayers through Facebook(?)

No, I don't get it either. Prayer is a personal thing to me as well, and although I'll ask good friends to 'say one' for another friend or family member - never for me - I just couldn't put it out there for the world to see, no matter how desperate I was. I think that probably these people think it's the last chance saloon, and because some of the special Facebook pages have seemingly worked miracles, they're hoping some of the magic will rub off. I don't condemn them for it, but I really don't understand it.

When I pray, it is a matter between me and God. I don't need to publish my prayers in any social-media. If others do them then it's up to them but I don't really subscribe to that idea. Praying is a very personal things to me. I don't broadcast my prayers for the world to see. I whisper it to God and I let His Spirit touch me as I commune with Him.

I guess God has a Facebook now. Even he has to keep up with the technology

I do have friends like that on FB. Sometimes I can't help but wonder why they post so many "prayers", I get several in just a minute from one friend of mine and I think it's just "overdone" and gives me the tendency to just skip them all. However, there are those which are really meaningful without the need to be shared or liked, I like those. It somehow reminds me of my prayer time. But honestly, I never forward or share these stuff. Like you, I'd like to keep my prayer time and relationship with God private. But when I came about one of my aunts who became 'religious' just recently, I came to know her story. She was a victim of a very horrific calamity that swept their city (particularly their area). She lived in Cagayan de Oro and their streets were suddenly flooded and she and her family were really lucky they're alive. I guess this is the main reason why she's very grateful for her life and thus came about a lot of forwarded prayers and a 360 degree turn of her life. So I guess people have reasons for it. To each his/her own, as they say. It won't affect me at all. It's a social networking site, it's not a work-related site. So, I guess it's okay. Have a great mylot experience ahead!

I think I get what you are saying but not sure at the same time. I know I see a lot of "pray for this person" requests and I do pray and hope that everyone's prayers are answered as well. Now I've not really come across a post where someone starts off, you know "My father in heaven" and is actually typing a prayer on facebook, I think that'd be too personal. I have typed the Serentity prayer as I don't find that too personal and it tells people you know, I'm having a rough time in life right now. I don't even ask people to pray for me via facebook, I use anonymous prayer sites. I am Christan but my best friends either don't believe in God or are Wiccan.

I agree that prayers should not be posted everywhere. Prayers done in silent are the most sincere ones. There's no need to post it anywhere, not on social sites as well. We may ask for a prayer but not to post it.

I seriously doubted if people are marketing prayers or what. these days so many religious posters and stuff are also seen in facebook. Most disgusting is putting up tragic image with a message,"please share it and save the soul". I just cant understand the thought process of these people. People just forget that this is just a social media and not some devotional place.

One of the prayers going around my circle of friends right now is for a local baby born just a couple of weeks ago named Easton Friedel. He was born with a rare skin disorder that is extremely painful. It's called epidermolysis bullosa. Basically his skin is extremely fragile and just touching him causes blisters, rashes, and open wounds. He was actually born without quite a bit of his skin, so he is in constant pain and needs a constant morphine drip. Last I heard he really wasn't doing well and we're not sure if he can pull through. I heard of this story before it was ever on the news. Because the family is local, the story was spreading through my circle of friends like wild fire. It started with one friend, then a couple, now all of my local friends are posting things daily about the baby and the family. Here's more stories on the baby. http://topics.syracuse.com/tag/Easton%20Friedel/index.html I think asking for prayers and broadcasting it on Facebook is just a way of getting the word out and hopefully getting more people to pray and take notice of an issue, especially an important one like baby Easton.

Hello bounce I think prayer is a personal thing. I wouldn´t post it on facebook. But facebook is the place where people shout, I mean always there´s an inner shout when writting on facebook. God says, if you are going to pray go to your room, close the door, and pray, and God will hear your prayer. Maybe people have they pc&facebook with them in their own room. You know I pray the daily rosary, but sometimes here at home(yours too) I get tired, or I need my family to keep in peace and silence, and to join me in a space of silence and confidence. I ask them to pray the rosary with me. Surely those people who write they prayers on facebook are feeling so lonely that use facebook to get out of their boredom and lonelyness. If they bother you, you just can pass them off ( as I do with my cousin). Blessings bounce... dainy

For me there's no problem with me if my facebook friends post their prayers inviting me to join them. I guess a prayer is better off to be answered if one or two people say it together. Just as a saying in the bible that says, "when one or two are gathered together in my name I will be there.". But then God answers prayers accordingly. There are times when we don't get the answer to our prayers no matter how hard we talk to Him.

Prayer is very personal to me and altough I do pray throughout the day I prefer to pray privately or in a small group of persons who are like minded. I woud not do it publicly on any social site. However, when people on Mylot request prayer, I do pray for them but in private

I am private with prayer too. I think that people who share think that the power of prayer is intensified by numbers. Like the more people they have doing it, the more chances there are to get them answered.

The power of a prayer chain comes to mind. The more people who do it together, the larger the prayer chain, the more powerful the prayer?? And what better way to find others who might join in on their prayer . . . by reaching out to the many folks on Facebook who are already listening (I guess?). As with any status report on Facebook, I assume people are looking for comments and feedback. How nice it is when you see a shower of supportive comments from your Facebook friends. Is it a way to make one feel better . . . knowing that there are people who will join in on your prayer or at least have positive thoughts for you at a time you really need it? I don't have anything against people who pray or send out prayers through Facebook either . . . and I hope their prayers get answered as well. I don't do it myself - simply because (if I may be the "different" one here) I am not one to pray. However, if appropriate, I will still show my support for any praying friends!

That's the problem with FB nowadays. Everything is publicized. I don't like asking for prayers publicly because not everyone in your list shares a deep friendship with me. I only share prayer requests with friends whom I have bonded with and trust deeply. It's like letting everyone know what's going on with your life and everything gets so hyped, so dramatic. I still believe in the solemnity of praying and most important of all, the sincerity.

ok, i'm one of the guilty ones! i'll post a prayer due to a friend's request. i keep it real simple and allows others to join in, if they want too. i don't post my most sincere and private prayers. if one of my friend's post a prayer, i'll add to it. God said if two or more come together in My name, I will answer. today's technology allows us to come together even in different geographical locations.

I almost never use FB because I feel it has gone viral and there´s no intimacy there anymore. But I do get prayer chains from some of my friends and I DO NOT like them. I like them even if they have beautiful flowers or nicew sunsets. Some things are personal and each of us should learn how to handle their own spirituality. Certainly, neither facebook nor chains will help anyone.

I feel the same thing, it happens also in text messages. Even the context of asking to forward the messages to other friends. I do personal prayers but, I kept it for myself too.

I do have many friends who shared their prayers through fb i go for it because God is a very understanding, forgiving and a loving God. God knows what is in the heart, mind and soul of an individual. Whatever forms of prayer or how you communicate to God it doesn't matter to Him. God knows all our needs so for me I pray for the gift of perseverance , patience and hope that He will soon grant my request or petitions according to His will..

I agree, personal prayers should be done sincerely and silently. There are also prayers that are okay to be shared like the formula prayers or a group prayer but I don't think personal ones are appropriate.