I will just say OK to comfort them, once they go, I will think "poor guy"!

It occurs to me that when some believers ask for prayer, it is not mindlessly reflexive, it is a signifier that the situation is dire enough that they see no way out of their situation but a miraculous divine intervention. In a back-handed way, they are admitting that prayer doesn't work, or it wouldn't be the last refuge of the desperate.

In that situation (they or a loved one with a fatal cancer diagnosis, say) I try to gently bring them back to deal in reality, and to understand that many, many others have walked that seemingly lonely road before them, that it's actually a well-worn path with some guideposts along the way and, most importantly, an endpoint (of sorts). I'm unusually well-equipped to do this, as I've presided over the demise of more close family members than most. What people facing the unthinkable / unimaginable need more than anything else, is solidarity and the reassurance that this is not some unique event that has never happened before. They just don't know to ask for it.

Be present for them. Sit with their grief. That is SO much more effective than prayer. No, it doesn't bring back the dead child or cancel their suffering or the heartache or disappointment or sadness or the basic obscenity of the whole situation. Nothing can do that. Not even prayer -- and most Christians don't seriously expect prayer to do that. But at least the simple human act of being present for them is an appropriate and helpful response that provides the solidarity, community and support that the bereaved actually need.

I would ignore the request but instead say, "oh no! What's going on?" And have a hopefully helpful conversation about what I could actually do to help.

If I they're real friends, I'll say, "You know I don't do that."

With an acquaintance, I'll lie.

On social media, I ignore.

In that scenario I'd just say they're asking the wrong person for prayer and I can't help in that way, as I've found prayer spectacularly ineffective. But is there anything practical I can do to be of real help?

Often I wouldn't even bother with that, and just cut to the chase of that last sentence. Because they don't believe prayer changes things themselves, it is just a virtue-signaling way of saying they need help or comfort or solidarity.

I never give prayers. Thoughts while meditation maybe. Just ignore most people. I had one friend who told me my thoughts,were more appreciatived thsn most people's prayers. Honest with friends, usually silent unless the person is an ass.