Group Prayers…

For me the “Group Prayers” depend on the group & situation. In AA, at the end of the meeting, we hold hands & say the “Our Father…”.

For me it’s not a prayer in the sense we’re communicating with our HP. It’s more like a group affirmation.

After, we give each other a hug if we choose to do it. Some don’t.

Personally, I like it in this situation & circumstance.

Many of these people I’ve known for over 20+ years.

I know everything about their lives & they know mine.

Iam closer to some of them than I am with members of my family.

In that situation, it’s natural.

The funny thing is, when I greet my sons, daughter, in-laws & Grand kids, I do it with a hug not a hand shake.

My wife says, “why don’t they give me a hung?. I always have to ask for one.”

Back to the topic, with your parents: be patient. If it makes them feel good, let them do it.

You may find things about them that they can’t tell you directly.

Then, if you feel confortable, you can talk with them on a more personal level individually or as a group.

Be strong & honest with yourself.

You may look back in time & say, “what the hell was I worried about?

“From this point on, my life only got better.”

Mike from Milton.

I agree with Mike. Let them do it. Be patient. Remember it took you some time to come to grips with your situation and decide how to redirect your life. Looking back you’ve probably already found some things you would do differently. This is new to them too. Allow them the same time and space and realize in the end they too will look back and find things they would do differently. Sounds like they love and support you. That is what really matters. All the rest will work itself out.

I’ve had a few experiences like you describe – but ime it’s been MUCH more pronounced in other churches and denominations than in the LDS Church. Yes, we have Rameumpton members, but, by and large, they are sincere, traditional prayers. I think you either live in a ward with this particular problem or you are a bit hyper-sensitive given your situation.

Fwiw, If you want an interesting experience, read 1 Nephi from the perspective of Laman and Lemuel constantly hearing their father rag on them publicly. Read how Nephi describes it and see if “the words of a tender parent” feel tender to the person on the receiving end of the sermon. It was easy for Nephi, I think, to agree that his father was being a loving, concerned parent – but I can’t imagine Laman and Lemuel felt anything except constant criticism and negative comparison to their “perfect little brother, the spoiled brat”. Lehi, I’m sure loved all of his children, but he “exhorted” those whose lives were different than his goals for them. His family, in my mind, was very dysfunctional – and I’m sure some of it was the internal family dynamics and unrealistic expectations.

My point?

Don’t be Laman or Lemuel, even if some people are acting like Lehi.

Someone managed to drag the war in Afghanistan into an opening prayer last SM. :think:

I’ve seen the prayer pulpit work in the reverse for good also. Years ago we had a tough Stake Presidency they had rules for everything. Cancelled all fun, and nose to the eternal grind stone. One of the things cancelled was the traditional Mother’s Day, Father’s Day Sundays. I am sure they felt they were helping because we women tend to complain about the guilt, etc on it, but when it’s totally removed and replaced with the topic of fasting, you suddenly want it back. Not so much to be about you as a mom, but about eternal moms, Mary’s in the bible, Stripling Warrior Mothers, but something. It was not going to happen.

The only flaw in the Stake Presidents plan came from the closing prayer. A sister was asked to give it, and bless her heart if she didn’t invoke the remembrance of mothers in her prayer. Thanking God for all the mothers who gave us each live, who like Pres. Hinckley acknowledged were Gods last and greatest creation… etc. It was a good 2 minute talk in prayer form. The bully pulpit had never been so cleverly used. The next year we had a Mother’s Day Sacrament.