If asking for someone's suffering to be alleviated, then I think most people have wished for this. And isn't that all a prayer is, wishful thinking.

Yes I definitely can.

Yes I definitely can.

I no longer feel the compulsion to pray as I don't believe there is a god who is listening or who would even intervene if he/she/it was listening. I think that you're feeling moved by what this person is going through and that shows more about the kind and compassionate heart you possess. Wanting to ease the pain of this person would only be natural for you. I think this speaks more to a person's heart in general than to the existence/non-existence of a god. I am right now sitting with my best friend from high school who had to take a call from one of his kids and I thought I'd log on real quick while he did that. He's off now and so I asked him if I am more compassionate, less compassionate, or the same now that I am an atheist compared to when I was a devout Christian involved in ministry. He said that I am the same person that I was then. Very telling.

I think the best is send my best Wishes

If there was the kind of God who it was worth praying to then there would be no need to because non of this shit would ever happen.

We are sentient beings. We are supposed to feel compassion for others. Sometimes humans do not understand the symbiotic relationship between Existentialism and Environment. Humans have an insatiable desire to understand, and create. We sometimes create what it is that we do not understand, and in this quest for understanding we rationalize. We question, and answer, question and answer, question and answer. Maybe there exists no reason, only "synchronicity".

Yes..but you mustn't go down that road..it leads to a cul-de-sac.
Screaming at a deaf heaven is what has brought many of us here...
Beautiful innocent little children dealing with random bone cancer dying in horrendous discomfort and agony..no prayers answered..no pain relieved..in this I see gods face..the face of a twisted sadist..or as I believe one who was never there in the first place..
I am sorry for the maelstrom of pain anguish and turmoil you are feeling.. I am sure many if not all here share your pain.

I believe that we are all made from the same non-religious energy source so I pray quite often. To me it is like sending and receiving energy. It might simply be that while praying I am focused on the situation at hand which might give me a better understanding on some level of conscious and allow me to feel better about it. All that we have is our individual collections of illusions and delusions and praying could easily change these in our own minds.

Gtfoh

I have thought occasionally that I need to thank someone or something for the amazing life I have enjoyed. I end up thanking nature and life itself.

No I never prayed, ever, that I can remember I used to wish that people would die but that hardly counts as a prayer- which seems more like asking someone in control for an intercession. I just wished they would die and go away!

Sure, it's a nice thought. I just send them my best wishes and empathize mentally if that impulse occurs. No faith that it's being heard by anyone in particular, but putting positive vibrations into the world can never hurt. It might only help the person sending them even, but that's worthwhile on its own. Small acts of kindness and positive behavior can echo and spread faster than you'd think though. If it's an issue you really care about you'll find even more satisfaction by getting as close as you can to the scene to deliver nice thoughts/actions directly to those affected when possible. Or look for similar situations near you and offer help in some small way if you're able. Pure simple empathy for a stranger is worth meditating on though. It'll probably only affect you, but that positive change will reverberate later in your actions to others, and that's a nice way to honor those who are suffering.

No ! Talk to yourself, sure but don't label it as praying ?

It’s conditioning. I really think that’s all it is.