Not into group prayer

[JCFantasy23]

Anyone else feel detached if you're praying in a group? Such as in church when someone else is praying and you're supposed to close your eyes and join in? I feel God, of course, although end up praying in my head at the same time. This isn't an issue and I will continue to do that.

I have a friend who likes to pray with everyone when we're out and about to eat. I prefer to pray privately and in my head so was considering the next time telling her I would prefer to do it myself, alone. Would this seem rude or wrong to do? I don't feel right when she is doing it. I was never raised with a family that said prayers together so it just feels strange to me.

 

[Albion]

1. I'd say that that would be considered rude if all you're referring to is grace before a meal...and you're known to be a Christian yourself. When it comes to some other kind of group prayer, I often feel like you say you do, but you do risk giving offense--rightly or wrongly--if you voice your objections, so you have to decide what's the better course. Sometimes in life we all defer to the other person's style, even if we don't feel all that comfortable with it.

 

[JCFantasy23]

You're probably right. She is a sweet person and it would likely just be considered rude, so I will pray with her if she asks in grace/group prayer. It's probably just another thing I am uncomfortable with because I'm not used to it. I was mainly curious if I was the only one and this was a rare feeling or not.

 

[RomansFiveEight]

I think your best bet probably is to just go along with it, as best you can.

I enjoy group prayer; though there are times it makes me uncomfortable. I appreciate folks who want to pray a blessing before a meal. I don't appreciate folks who act like it's the third (or 8th, depending on who you are) sacrament and make folks feel guilty for not praying before every meal, or making a big fuss out of public prayer in a restaurant. Though in those situations, usually, it's easiest just to play along.