Thoughts and Prayers
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People say “I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers” all the time. I have said it myself; I also say “I am thinking of you,” or, occasionally, “I will hold you in the light,” which is the Quaker version. “Thoughts and prayers” is a useful phrase, but do people really mean it? Is it a well-meaning but rote platitude? Perhaps the uttering of the phrase is a kind of thought and/or prayer in itself.
Another thing about T&P is that they are only trotted out in times of distress. What if one were more proactive about T&P, and offered them without bad-time prompting?
I’d like to find out. I’m going to venture forth and offer T&P to various people. Should they accept, they may choose thoughts and/or prayers to the entity of their choice (or no entity), for intentions, or not. They may choose to let me write about it (name, pseudonyms, or handles are fine), or keep it quiet. Then I will think and/or pray for them.
I will also accept requests, so “do not hesitate” to ask—find me here or on Twitter @marykvalle
Let the Thoughts and Prayers begin!

Mary Valle lives in Baltimore and is the author of Cancer Doesn't Give a Shit About Your Stupid Attitude: Reflections on Cancer and Catholicism. She blogs on KtB as The Communicant. For more Mary, check out her blog or follow her on Twitter.