>i?Could we finally admit that “thoughts and prayers” are a useless and absurd ritual following every one of these tragedies,

I think it has a therapeutic effect for the person making the prayer, unless they do it out in the open where everyone can see. I think there was an actual test done once and it had no effect, but the people who pray silently, at home, in the closet - get the benefit according to the rules. I think of meditation as a form of prayer. "Think of the space between the clouds", they said - and it never worked. Then a fellow said, "concentrate of your breathing, focus on the air going through your nasal passages, close your eyes and turn them down pointing toward your nasal passages." And it worked. I learned how to meditate. I would sit in a dark room and meditate for 20 minutes. I did no mantra. It workss and you do feel peaceful and refreshed after 15-20 minutes.

Just acknowledge that it does nothing for anyone else, just you. I found that if I kept a pad of paper I could make a list of things I need to do while beginning the meditation, but I told my friend who'd meditated for most of his life and he said not to do that, just empty the mind. Prayer actually doing something to help who you are praying for? Doesn't have an effect. Give that idea up.