Thoughts and Prayers

When something bad happens, someone always says, "Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this horrible blah blah blah."

The idea of praying for someone who has experienced something bad, I get. There is an agency there; well-meaning people are praying TO someone, with a belief that this prayer communicates a request or sentiment to their god praying on behalf of this suffering friend.

But what the heck are "thoughts" going to accomplish in such a situation. If I have suffered a loss or experienced a tragedy of some kind, why should it be a comfort to me to know that someone else is thinking about it?

That phraseology is a politically-correct cop-out, I contend. . . a concession that people make in times of trouble in order to not hurt the feelings of non believers (among the suffering or among the onlookers). We don't want to make a collective statement saying that everyone is praying, because many are not. And we don't want to offend non believers by only offering them prayers in their time of need, because they may think that prayers offered on their behalf are wasted effort.

So we say "thoughts and prayers" as a way to keep everyone happy, or to at least not offend. I get that, and I see the value in not offending needlessly.

I personally have some very dear friends and relatives who are non believers. When they're in trouble, I'm likely thinking about them and their plight, but the sad reality is that I'm probably also thinking about football and my job and whether the grass needs to be cut and what's for dinner. My thoughts at times like that aren't worth all that much, and don't really accomplish much.

What matters is that, when those around me are in trouble, I pray for them. Not as often as I should, probably, nor as fervently. I don't think I'm great at prayer, but I try. And I humbly hope that others do the same for me.