So, three quick thoughts on "thoughts and prayers."
First thought.
I think most of the criticism directed at "thoughts and prayers" isn't religious but political. And as political criticism I sympathize with the objections. Specifically, those objecting to the uselessness of "thoughts and prayers" are directing those criticisms toward political leaders who send statements of concern, condolences, and solidarity out on social media and who are perceived as taking no material, political action to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future. For example, politicians send out "thoughts and prayers" to the families of Uvalde but take no meaningful action on gun control.
The problem here isn't with prayer. The problem is the dislocation between prayer and moral action. Christians are well aware of this dislocation. James says, "Faith without works is dead." The same could be said of prayer.
Second, different thought.
As I describe in Hunting Magic Eels, life demands hallowing, and we feel this perhaps most acutely during times of shared suffering and trauma. And like it or not, prayer is how we hallow. When we suffer, we turn to prayer. Always have, always will. Sorry post-Christians, but nihilism in the face of suffering just isn't a good look. And I think a lot of post-Christians feel stymied and frustrated by this, when they look at their metaphysics and recognize they have no non-religious response to suffering as profound, human and hallowing as prayer. This frustration manifests itself in a defensive lashing out at prayer. If you can't match prayer, you can disparage it.
It's irritating to be a post-Christian person when the entire world becomes a church service. Suddenly, everyone is praying. And the reality settles in: We're never going to get rid of prayer. God just won't go away.
Last thought.
For those who doubt the power and effectiveness of prayer, don't be an idiot. Don't let your skepticism make you look like a fool. Yes, I understand your metaphysical questions about if my prayer here in Abilene for the families of Uvalde will make any material difference. I share those same questions about petitionary prayer.
But go to Uvalde, or any place of human suffering, and tell me that prayer doesn't make a difference.
Prayer has and will always make a difference.
