I'm sure that we have all at some time prayed for someone.

but.. I got a call last night that surprised me. I got a call from the Salvation Army asking me if there was anyone that they could say a prayer for. So, I gave them a description, and they thanked me, and that was that.

surprising.

I think the Salvation Army is great, and have donated to them regularly since I started working. but this is the first time I've had them call me about praying. Perhaps this is something they've started recently?

anyway, I think it is a great idea.

Do any other organizations do this?

I will be honest and say in my case probably never. I'm not starting a debate here, but I chose Atheism a long time ago, and it suits me being able to think and believe things how I choose on my own basis or structure.

Otherr organisations that do that, I couldn't say. It's possible the Jehovahs witnesses might, or possibly some sort of Church support group, or an affiliate of a far eastern religion like Shinto, Taoist, Bhuddist, Sikh etc etc.

I grew up going to church, but quit as soon as I was old enough to go my own way.

it was a choice, because I didn't believe everything that I was told.

but.. I feel having a choice to believe things how I choose does not necessarily mean that you choose to believe there is no God. nor do I believe that people that do go to church are NOT making choices.

but.. I look at nature, the complexity, beauty of so many things, and I can't help to believe that there is a higher power behind it. I just can't believe that it is all "random".

so, don't assume that if a person isn't an athiest, they have no choices. Their choice is just different than yours.

one thing most religions have in common... they seem to believe in the power of prayer (or their form of it). but this is the first time that I've heard of an organization calling people to see if they could pray for a loved one.

I have heard of prayer circles in different churches - where people meet on a regular basis to pray for anyone that is sick, going thru hard times, etc. and people can ask members of this group to pray for others.

As a charity organization, I really like Salvation Army. I started donating to them when I started working.. but some years ago, I read that Salvation Army was one of the organizations with the highest percentage of donations really going to charity. so that sealed the deal for me.

I agree with Scorpiotiger. The Salvation Army is the one religious organisaton I give to. They do such valuable work.

I've never received such a call (from the Salvation Army or any other organization). I suppose it's possible that they did call and didn't leave a message however - as we screen our calls pretty carefully.

I don't have any particular go-to charities (besides the HungerSite.com and EcologyFund.com family of sites). But, after 9/11, we did choose to direct our donation to the Salvation Army rather than the Red Cross or some other organization. We did so because of what ST mentioned - their high-rate of funds actually going to their intended place ... people in need.

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For those, who don't believe in any reason to pray, it might be good to check out the "Law of Attraction"; like what is presented in the book, "The Secret". As far back as I can remember, I've always prayed that way. You know? Of course, that is after gratitude to God. But the way to pray or to test the Law of Attraction, one would ask for something then trust that it will be answered. That would be something for oneself or for someone else. So, you can do something very similar; even if there is no belief in God. In The Secret, it is called the Universe.

I like the American Red Cross. I always donate when there is any international disaster. They seem to have the best network of resources. I suppose that would be true of other nations' Red Cross organizations too.

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- Jim

Gosh, I hate to be the wet noodle here... but I am the eternal skeptic... not in prayer or God, but in the concept that an organization would have their people all of a sudden start calling people asking if you have anyone that needs prayer... This sort of sounds like a scam to me..... On the same lines of the scam that was being played out in houston recently... Military parents are getting calls stating that their soldier had been wounded. During the conversation of how bad the soldier was wounded, they want to make sure that they are talking to the right family, so they ask for a social security number and a birthdate... Frantic that their child is hurt, what parent wouldnt give that info (well except the ones who have been warned before) Now the soldier while serving in iraq and not really hurt, becomes the victim of identity theft....
So did your caller give you the number to the local salvation army that you could check their story... did you give last names... hospitals the person was in.. addresses anything that the person on the other line could find the person needing prayer...I would love to see that this was a for true real blessing from salvation army, but I have never heard of them doing that before either.... It might be a good idea to call your local chapter of salvation army and ask them if they have been making the calls...

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~John Greenleaf Whittier~

yes, I know what you are saying.. I am very suspicious of anyone calling out of the blue, and never give any personal information out.

so.. I was thinking the same thing.. so, I waited to see what they would ask me. All I told them is that I knew someone whose son had an acute form of leukemia. That's it. They asked me no other details. Said thank you, and thanked me for my support.

afterwards, I did look to see if they said anything about this on the internet and found this:

Salvation Army Prayer Request: Fort Worth

Salvation Army Prayer Request: Virginia

so.. I think it is legit.

I really like the Salvation Army. When I was struggling early on in life with little kids and trying to make ends meet they provided day care for $4 a day and $2 for second and third children in the family. Let me tell you. I was faced with $80 a day child care bills!

And the kids loved their programs. They never pushed religion on them.

I think the Salvation Army is one of the few where the greatest amount of donations actually go to the project and not administrative fees. So I bet their prayers may have some impact. There is no ulterior motive.

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