I’m not entirely sure prayer doesn’t help. Prayer is about asking questions, making requests, or seeking guidance.

There is a part of us, deep inside, that probably has most of the answers we seek on a daily basis (regarding daily life, not necessarily the global questions). Every day our brain is living out our lives in ways we don’t even think about. The mind has insight into who we are, why we do some of the things we do, and what decisions might be better for us.

I’m not convinced that our minds are determined to keep us in the dark about these things (though they do tend to have a strong sense of irony). In fact, if we “ask nicely,” our mind might be more than willing to share answers with us. Just as “not ever prayer is answered” in religious mythology, there are some things our mind can’t tell us... or we just aren’t listening. Or we need the guidance and council of others.

It’s true that if I have cancer and I pray for it to go away, that’s not going to help. Or if I pray that God will help those poor people but do nothing myself to help them, then no, it is useless. But if I get cancer, and I “pray,” I might learn things that I can do to slow it down... or learn ways to embrace the inevitable and make the best of what’s left. If I “pray” for those poor people, my mind might suggest, maybe even demand, that I get off my ass and try to help.

Praying, out loud, could articulate the question, focus the mind on possible answers, and open us up to whatever possibilities might be facing us. How many times have we had a question, and suddenly the answer popped into our heads... Our brain knows these things (or can learn these things), it just needs us to focus. In that sense, asking myself to help myself can be very productive. Especially if I’m willing to listen to what I have to say.

Nietzsche also said: "In heaven all the interesting people are missing."

I see people that say that they will pray for you, ask for prayers, or just by saying grace at the dinner table as weak and as being controled by something that does not exist. It is a waste of time.

I always think of it as meaning, I'll think about you. I'm not willing to actually do anything that requires effort.

Even when I was in the hospital for my first chemo induction everyone offered to pray for me. I told them "sure go ahead" if it makes you feel better I mutter to myself.

It's a cop out

Prayer is no different from small children on the playground, with make believe super characters, that they have designed from their, undeveloped, whimsical imaginations.

Prayer is wanting to feel like you're doing something without actually doing something.

I think pushers feel religion is a democracy, so they maintain a constant campaign. Their biggest fear is being left in a minority and forced to admit ‘what is true.’ I follow American Atheist on fb, so will occasionally chime in or ‘like’ their posts.. I try to go easy on my friends, though ..it’s not like being around here

Nietzsche wasn't wrong.

And being asked for prayers on FB drove most of us here.