I'll pray for you

[TreeSapNest]

One point I've never had explained is why the person doing the praying needs to say that they are praying.

In the context of the religious learning of a person's atheism it's an "I'm right, you're wrong" posture. If you believe in yourself then just let them posture. Tell them they are very kind and thank them. After all, wishing someone well is very kind. In markib64's case, it seems pretty clear it's the same thing, and it's reached a level of badgering him.

[Cyberman]

It depends on the context of the conversation. Most of the time, people really do mean well with their offers of prayer. It can be a shorthand, a placeholder, for saying something nominally supportive when there's really nothing to say. Those times I do take the sentiment in the spirit it's intended. Or I would, if I were to get people doing that, which as I say, nobody who knows me attempts to do.

Then there's the attempt to sweep your problems under the rug and get in a cheap proselytising jab, which is in my experience less common and equally less welcome. They're the ones that try to sell the empty box labelled "Your problems are a test from God and it makes me feel better to tell you about it".

Lastly and definitely least are the ones meant as a scorched-earth parting shot. The "I can't answer what you just said so I'm going to rage quit while telling you how superior I am". Basically, a quick and cheap "fuck you".

[vorlon13]

If someone is praying for you, they let you know so that if whatever the issue is abates, you will note the prayer apparently worked.

Counts as a 'win' for their team.