Workplace "prayers" etiquette?

[Cindy B]

I know the title is strange, but I'm not sure how to word it.

I work in a middle school in a predominately Jewish section of town. Most students (about 80%) are Jewish, with a small percentage of Catholic, and the remainder either Hindu or Muslim.

Most staff members are Jewish as well.

I know that there are some challenges with the staff members (family passing away, spouses losing jobs, children suffering). I do have faith, but it is not the same faith of most of the students and staff.

I don't want to offend anyone by saying "I'll pray for you" even if I know they don't care about the political correctness of it. (they would appreciate it either way). I also don't want offend anyone if they are of a different faith either.


But lately, I've been saying "You will be in my thoughts." or "I'll be thinking of you."

Is this ok to do? I don't want to offend anyone.

 

[NMAmy]

I always say I'm thinking of you or You're in my thoughts.

 

[MissionMouse]

If I were you, I think I would find another job that provides an environment of goodness and where you do not feel oppressed.

 

[jennyanydots]

what you're saying now is perfectly appropriate.

 

[LisaZoe]

I am not a member of a Judeo-Christian religion but I understand that when someone who is says "I'll pray for you", it is meant to show they care. I don't think any reasonable person would be offended by such a comment for events such as you list.

 

[Island_Lauri]

Originally posted by MissionMouse
If I were you, I think I would find another job that provides an environment of goodness and where you do not feel oppressed.

Huh???

"envirornment of goodness"

Where did the OP say she felt oppressed?

 

[jennyanydots]

she didn't.

she wanted to make sure that she was expressing her concern in an appropriate manner so as not to offend those whith different religious beliefs than her own.

it's wonderful that the OP wants to be ecumenical.

 

[Island_Lauri]

Originally posted by jennyanydots
she didn't.

she wanted to make sure that she was expressing her concern in an appropriate manner so as not to offend those whith different religious beliefs than her own.

it's wonderful that the OP wants to be ecumenical.

I agree but I was just wondering where MissionMouse was coming from with their comment.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

LisaZoe, does your little girl have her finger up missionmouse's nose or is a case of mistaken identity?

 

[Serena]

Cindy, I think what you are doing is just fine.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Sorry sort of double post.

 

[helenabear]

Cindy, I also think what you are saying is fine. I use that phrase quite often, especially when I am unsure of their beliefs.

 

[Beauty]

I usually say I'm praying for you. If I knew the situation like you I would say your in my thoughts.

Hopefully regardless of what you say they will know its coming from your heart.

 

[Beth76]

I'm confused. Do Jewish people not pray? As someone who isn't religious, I don't see any problem with saying "I'll pray for you". That's just you asking the deity that you worship for a "favor" (for lack of better word, sorry). I never say "I will pray for you" because I don't pray. But, I do say "I'll keep you in my thoughts." To me, those statements should correlate with who's making them (you, in this case) not to the person you're referring to. Does that make sense?

 

[grumpy55]

Originally posted by MissionMouse
If I were you, I think I would find another job that provides an environment of goodness and where you do not feel oppressed.

recognize the tune? sure sounds like see you next time

 

[jennyanydots]

Originally posted by Beth76
I'm confused. Do Jewish people not pray? As someone who isn't religious, I don't see any problem with saying "I'll pray for you". That's just you asking the deity that you worship for a "favor" (for lack of better word, sorry). I never say "I will pray for you" because I don't pray. But, I do say "I'll keep you in my thoughts." To me, those statements should correlate with who's making them (you, in this case) not to the person you're referring to. Does that make sense?

Let me field that question, Beth.

of course Jews pray.

and if you said to me "I'll pray for you" when something bad happened and you wanted to comfort me, I would know it was a heartfelt expression of your concern for me.

 

[LisaZoe]

Originally posted by MissionMouse
If I were you, I think I would find another job that provides an environment of goodness and where you do not feel oppressed.

I'm kind of puzzled by this post. I believe that you meant to offer helpful advice but I don't think the OP was indicating she felt oppressed. I believe she was more concerned about her offer of prayers being misunderstood. Hopefully, no one would consider such an offer as anything other than the way it was meant.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I always say I'll keep you in my thoughts, or I'll be thinking of you.

Although I also don't see how any reasonable person would be offended to know you were praying for them. My very devout Muslim co-worker often tells us he will pray for us when he knows I'm sick or Chris is sick and I know he is only wishing us well, even though I am not the same religion as he is, and I appreciate that he cares. Likewise, I wish him a Happy Ramadan and he enjoys getting Christmas cards from people.

 

[Keli]

I think the OP's delima is not on whether the person of another religion prays or not, I think basically people from every religion pray but they do not all pray to the same god. As a Christian, I believe the Jewish people pray to the same God I do although I realize they don't accept the deity of Jesus Christ. Do Jewish people feel they are praying to a different God than Christians? But Hindu's, Muslems, and others actually believe in a different god and I could see where they would not particularly appreciate prayers to a God they don't believe in although I doubt they would be offended. I would imagine they would see it as an expression of concern the same as I would if the shoe were on the other foot.

 

[caitycaity]

i think what you are saying now is fine, cindy. though, like many others have said, if someone tells me they are praying for me, i am still appreciative of the thought (unless it is said sarcastically or something), eventhough i am atheist.