Atheism is often used to promote faith in materialism but it generally uses science to observe reality through an unfiltered lens, which leads to greater morality.
[boston.com]

Evidence proves and exposes so many of the pains we cause so, while they can still be rationalized, they aren't so easily denied - except by that 37% of the population who dismiss facts that don't promote fear based, selfish, and delusional agenda.

I am an atheist and I pray all the time. Most I pray by meditating on the love I have for friends who are fighting illness or loss. I pray for strength and peace for them and their loved ones. I have never prayed for anything else

Well, being raised non religious yet being told to pray to fit in, my prayers tend to look more like Rick''s from Rick and Morty.

I am told tht prayer can be a kind of meditation for some people and help them focus their mind. Some people find prayer to be a useful tool. For me, it was just a waste of time and effort. But, if you get something from it, then, at least for you, it may be productive.

i substitute the word "hope"

We all have that inner voice that questions or "prays." We all do it in different ways. I don't remember what class I took, but it was explained as part of our evolutionary processes. I don't even remember the reason. I'll have to look it up, but everyone "talks" in his or her head. You don't have to be religious or believe in god to pray. It's part of the human condition, because, well, most of us feel empathy and grief and sorrow, and want we want to feel like we matter in the world and that someone is listening. We are, after all, all connected.

Far be it for me to say anything to make you feel uncomfortable, but your journey to fully understanding what is reality is an ongoing thing. So lots of luck with your journey.