Why do some religious people insist on telling atheists that they will pray for them?

What is the use of praying for an atheist who does not have any faith in prayer.Only for their satisfaction they have to pray

The only time I would say 'I will pray for you' is when someone is in need of prayer, like if somebody is really sick, or needs a job desperately, or is travelling. And its usually only when they woefully tell their tale and then I would say 'Dont worry everything will be fine, I will remember you in my prayers.'

And I would do it cuz I care for that person and not because I want to feel important. In fact every night in our prayers we include travelers all over the world and the poor and sick. I think its pretty normal as long as you don't go shouting out to every second person that you are going to pray for them.

Because that's what they are told to do. They like praying to their sky cake. I actually tell people NOT to do this, it just irks me. And you should tell them that the bible says to be humble about their prayer, and by telling you (and probably other people) that they are going to pray for you, they are not. I think they like conflict. I mean, half their scripture is contradictory of itself so.

I'm sure they don't inform you they're going to pray for you unless you are already having a conversation with you. In this case, view it like someone saying "I'm going to hope for the best for you". There is no reason it should lead to conflict unless YOU are so unconfident about your own beliefs and ideas that you have to react angrily to simple statements.

To let them know they care,whether they agree w/ them or not.EDIT ; Who are the ones in Jungles risking Malaria to get to the sick.Who are the ones responsible for virtually getting the meds and knowledge out to exterminate polio,who helps feed millions of starving people each year Christians,and Christian foundations.Who is there after earthquakes,and major disasters,it surely is not a bunch of Atheist,.You are the ones who sound pompous,and self righteous.If you knew anything about Christianity,you would know it is much better to give than receive.We already feel good about ourselves whether we are praying for you or not.We are humble and sincere,a prayer for you is not a self righteous act,or a jab,it is a sincere gesture of caring,if you cant accept that then so be it,Ask yourself when is the last time you did a caring unselfish, act for someone.Read your epithets back to yourselves and then tell me who is being,pompous,and self righteous ADD; It is a very ignorant statement to say Christians pray to feel superior to others,I have led youth groups,and been involved w/ many Christians,bible quizzes out of state,and never once have I felt someone was praying to be superior,it s an oxymoron,considering that you should pray from your knees,bowed head,or in a reverent state.

I've mentioned as much in the past. Got into an email argument with some fundie, who finally decided that he was going to pray for me whether I wanted him to or not. I told him he could take his prayer and shove it.

"I'll pray for you" is just another phrase they like to use to make themselves feel superior.

They are just saying what they want to say. They have the freedom to tell you that just as much as you have the freedom to start a non violent conflict with them.

You stated that well, I would only tell someone I would pray for their problems, or them if they asked for prayers.

Because you need to know what is happening.

In some cases, great suffering would result to you from those prayers. God's Mercy would be so to speak crushing you.

And in other cases you would have something happen that can be interpreted two ways and you would know which way God wants you to take it, Because someone was praying for you.

I was converted by that, by a friend's mother. And because of how things happened I knew it.

One of my christian friends says that she will pray for me. At first, I didn't care; it didn't bother me but after she kept saying it every time we parted company I had to tell her to stop because it started to feel very patronising.