Why do you call your best Wishes a 'Prayer' if you don't believe in God or Religion?

I started the week in my blog by telling you that prayers for the Nepal earthquake victims won’t help. The next day, I showed you a ridiculous comment, saying that also disasters were god’s good work, and my response to it, elaborating further on the karma theory yesterday. Today however, I would like to return to the initial question – the prayer. Why? Because several people told me they were not actually praying to god.

I got this answer a few times and while writing my blog posts, I had in mind already that there are quite a few people who believe in prayers but not in religion. Others don’t even believe in god but pray nevertheless. Again others obviously only use the word to express their feeling of compassion. I really would like to ask you why all these people call it a prayer.

I have myself made this change from a very religious person to an atheist and I understand that if you are on the same way, after years of a praying habit, it is difficult to just stop. And to stop believing in it. After all, the effect of a prayer is actually psychological: you repeat your wish, consciously and sometimes even with loud voice and thus confirm not only what your aim and wish is but also usually bring yourself to worry a bit less. You have the feeling you gave it into the hand of another person who is now responsible. People who don’t believe in religion anymore but still in god will hang on this thought. And those who even don’t believe in god don’t want to lose the benefit of this!

I tell you that you can still do the same – but I believe you shouldn’t call it prayer! This word has its whole history and is associated with religion and god. Why don’t you call it ‘expression of feelings’? Or maybe ‘expression of wishes’? It would be like a part of meditation, a conscious concentration on a certain thought.

All those who just use this word for a situation like the Nepal earthquake, when it is about wishing all the best to someone in a difficult situation, why don’t you just say ‘best wishes’? Express that you are feeling with and for the other one, that you wish him not only all the best but health, recovery, luck or anything that he needs and wants.

Now, for example, the situation in Nepal is still difficult. The Kathmandu airport has problems of space and coordination to get out stranded tourists and at the same time get in the international help. Rains have made support difficult and water is pouring down on people who are now without homes. Food, water and medical supplies are not reaching every needy person and the epicenter has hardly been reached.

These people need help. You can help by donating to a trusted charity organization. If you are able to, you can even volunteer for them to help with your hands. And if you cannot do either or would like to just express your feelings to friends, make it a wish full of love, not a prayer.