I’ve found that encountering well-meaning people who impose their beliefs can really put you in an uncomfortable spot. Once, at a community event, someone approached me wanting to pray over my wheelchair without any prior permission. It felt intrusive, as it disregarded my feelings and personal space. From my experience, it’s essential that before anyone offers to pray or perform any sort of religious gesture, they ask for clear consent. Everyone has their own spiritual practices and comfort levels, and assuming that a prayer will be welcomed can sometimes cause distress rather than comfort. For people with disabilities, this can be particularly sensitive, as physical touch or unsolicited interventions can feel overwhelming. I also noticed that people sometimes think their prayers are the only solution or that the person in need hasn’t already sought spiritual support, which isn’t true. Many of us have our own ways of coping, and repeated unsolicited prayers can feel dismissive of our autonomy. If you ever feel compelled to offer spiritual support, a respectful approach might be something like, “I’d like to pray for you, would that be okay?” This simple question makes a huge difference and honors personal boundaries. In summary, the key lesson I’ve learned is: always ask and respect the other person’s wishes. Whether it’s about prayer or any other personal interaction, sensitivity and consent go a long way toward making everyone feel safe and respected.