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Scarlet_Teardrops Captain
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 Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2026 7:20 am
When I think of Christianisms, I think of things Christians often say that are completely unhelpful or cliche.
I am reminded of the spirit of James' words in James 2:14-17, which reads (from the NASB):
What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
One of the most disheartening Christianisms for me is when people offer one super popular sentence that does absolutely nothing: "Thoughts and prayers"
I'm critical of this not because prayer doesn't work - it does - but because of how many Christian people could do something actionable and choose not to. Like, you could at least offer an actual prayer for them to read, bare minimum. If all you're going to say is "thoughts and prayers", just don't say anything at all.
What's a common cliche that Christians use that you have always found unhelpful? Or, do you disagree with me? Am I being too harsh?
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2026 8:32 am
To me it seems like the gesture of someone who doesn't know what else they can say or do in the moment. I do agree that praying a sincere prayer is more fruitful than saying "thoughts and prayers." At the same time not everyone has meditated on building up the skill of praying for others in the moment, and in a sense they may be doing all they know to grieve with those who grieve.
In the past few years my husband and I have been trying to practice asking if we can pray a detailed prayer for the person right there instead of just saying "I'll be praying for you." I think "I'm praying for you" can be a good comfort in at times as well, it depends on the situation.
In the case of saying "thoughts and prayers" when you can also do something about a situation...I think it is good for us to build each other up toward good works as Paul directs.
Personally, there are times I want to do something actionable, like make a meal for someone who needs it, but I am not always able to do so. In those times I pray, and try to do the actionable things when I can.
At the end of the day a lot comes down to our heart posture. Is saying "thoughts and prayers" just the easiest thing to do? I think it's good to ask ourselves and ask the Lord to reveal our hearts to us so we can grow in sanctification.
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Scarlet_Teardrops Captain
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2026 10:28 am
Elora Lore To me it seems like the gesture of someone who doesn't know what else they can say or do in the moment. I do agree that praying a sincere prayer is more fruitful than saying "thoughts and prayers." At the same time not everyone has meditated on building up the skill of praying for others in the moment, and in a sense they may be doing all they know to grieve with those who grieve. In the past few years my husband and I have been trying to practice asking if we can pray a detailed prayer for the person right there instead of just saying "I'll be praying for you." I think "I'm praying for you" can be a good comfort in at times as well, it depends on the situation. In the case of saying "thoughts and prayers" when you can also do something about a situation...I think it is good for us to build each other up toward good works as Paul directs. Personally, there are times I want to do something actionable, like make a meal for someone who needs it, but I am not always able to do so. In those times I pray, and try to do the actionable things when I can. At the end of the day a lot comes down to our heart posture. Is saying "thoughts and prayers" just the easiest thing to do? I think it's good to ask ourselves and ask the Lord to reveal our hearts to us so we can grow in sanctification.
I appreciate that point of view. Perhaps I assume people's heart posture when I shouldn't. You are fair in your assessment.
It just seems...easy and unhelpful, to me. Like the "Go in peace, be warm and be filled" James mentioned in the passage I shared. At the end of the day, your "thoughts" aren't going to feed them. Neither is well-intentioned wishful thinking. But chipping in even just five bucks will do something.
Hmm...
At the end of the day, Jesus will be the judge.
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