They announce we are going to pray before we eat our meal. Everyone else at the table smiles.

To this I think, my house my rules, your house your rules, in public why would you eat with people who make you uncomfortable, just decline the invitation.

If a house guest asked me if they could say a prayer before the meal, I would tell them silent prayers are welcome.

If you are so outnumbered and afraid of offending someone by declining to participate in a group prayer, you are in the wrong room.

If it bothers you so much why don’t you have the strength of your convictions to shut these Evangelicals down.

No is not an option with these people. Choosing to do not participate is asking to be ostracized for the rest of the meal, and sometimes for the rest of your life. I just can’t say no, which is such a shame. I shouldn’t be forced into such a situation in the first place.

How are you forced? You accepted an invitation. Did you not know what to expect? Of course “No” is an option. Are you the only one at the table who is not cool with the prayer. “Ostracized for the rest of the meal” really, for not holding someone’s hands. Just sit there with you hands in your lap and your chin held high. Are you a door mat that you have to take it. Really if you don’t join hands is someone really going to call you out for it? Have you even tried it to see what happens when you don’t meekly submit.

I guess it is a culture and family thing but I have not had this happen in a long time and the holding hands part was always very rare. The closest to have this happen to me in years was someone who made the sign of the cross, kissed the crucifix on their neck chain and said a silent prayer.

TEK