I'm sorry for this situation. I've had it happen as well, more than once. And it was at work, also, which made it doubly difficult to try to be as polite as possible - while thinking to myself "please just get away from me". I think a lot of times, people are projecting what's really going on in their OWN heads. Self serving, maybe? Ye of little knowledge, indeed - Marsha

Well I could heal you if the price was right!!! People?? Hugs and Love, Michele

I didn't know you were sick, or broken.... Sorry

My sister in law was the same way. I stopped talking to her. Fortunately she doesn't live nearby.

They just don't get it. I know I didn't until it happened to me. We may need a "Please Proceed with Caution...I'm Grieving" t-shirt. Maybe that will keep the well-meaning but clueless folks at bay.

For the last 32 months I wanted to make a tee shirt saying Warning, A Widow, may burst into tears at any given moment!!!!!!!

I had something similar happen at work. A self-described "prayer warrior" came to my desk and preached at me for 20 miniutes. Seriously. Nothing I said got through. At the end of it, I went to our managers and formally complained about harrasment and warned if it happened again that I was not going to be responsible for my actions.

This person was not a close friend by any stretch of the imagination and had no right to do what they did. If you find yourself in the same boat, let them know you will complain to management.

Love and Hugs,
Martha

Im sorry for whats going on. I have that same problem, only this is my family. They mean well but have no idea what they are talking about. No one goes through loss in the same way as you know. People are insensitive even when they want to help. I wish they could get a glimpse into our lives and feel us for just a few minutes It would change a lot of prospective.

I'm trying to be very careful in what I write, so please, no offense is intended here and I'm not trying to open this up for discussion. But speaking as a pastor, I truly believe in the power of prayer - and I pray for many without them ever knowing about it. But what you are facing is immaturity in their walk. On occasion, I do pray for those who ask me to pray for them at my work - but they do the asking not me. And then I take them somewhere private like out in the parking lot. And I am always very careful who I let pray for me because until I discern where they are in their walk, it can become risky business. It's kind of like witnessing, I've learned that it does no good unless I hear from the Lord to do that with any given individual. A simple, No thank you, should be all that's needed. If they want to push it, your dealing with either ignorance or immaturity, and you've got some good advice on how to handle it from there in some of the other replies here. Just my thoughts from a different perspective is all ~ Scott

When it happened to me, I found it especially upsetting because it was like they were trying to tell me that I wasn't grieving correctly and were passing judgment on my spiritual practices - none of which they knew. They had no idea whether I was a praying person or not, they were just trying to unload on me so that they could go back to church the next Sunday and brag about what a "prayer warrior" they were. They weren't bereaved, they didn't know what it was I believed, and for heaven's sakes - I wasn't just at work, I worked for the government - that separation of church and state thing should certainly apply there.....

Everyone should feel free to pray, to express themselves in their own way without judgment. This also means that everyone around you be free from you preaching to them.

Unless I invite your words of the gospel and healing to me, please keep me free from them. I will bring you down if you try to force it upon me!!!! But, I won't be alone..................I will call Michele, Val and Dayna and we will take you down!!!!! Now, go heal yourself!!!!

Roz

Scott you're absolutely correct with your reply about immaturity. She even made the tsk noise and made the hand gesture for, "shame on you". This person also treated me and my husband badly while we worked there in the past. Don couldn't have cared less. LOL! She is quite immature for 40 something and the most manipulative person I know. Martha, she and I are Christians and she was definitely judging me and upset me for just a short time, since Don died I usually don't give people like her the time of day anymore. However, if it happens again I will go over her head in a heart beat. Thank you all for your support. Hugs and love, Kim

hey there kim, I know from experience, years ago, it felt very uncomfortable and awkward. I'm more a realist. so a prayer for me is super great. I need alot of healing, but I do my own thing in regards to getting better. No one should ever force faith healing upon anyone. Some persons are just ignorant, and might mean well, but have a ill way of showing it. I think sometimes just having a close friend to talk to about anything, can be the best type of healing. much love and big hugs

Kim, I'm sorry you had to be subjected to a "20 minute lecture" of the co-worker judging and preaching to you, especially in a most inappropriate place of employment. You were too kind and polite to let her stand there talking. In my opinion, people who preach to other people like that, are merely trying to show their superiority behind a shield of religion. I know because I have a sister who has consistently preached and lectured to me for the past 20 years over the phone and mail, I've told her you don't force your beliefs on other people, but she won't stop. I'm done.

Next time it happens, try standing up in their face, put your arm right out if front of them and say "get lost." No loss there.

hugs and sunflowers. Nanette