Maybe
StopTheViolins would be surprised by the extent to which I - a
religious person who
prays several times a day -
agree with him.
I seriously doubt that, by praying, I can tell God anything that God doesn't know, or change God's will. And yet prayer is good for people who pray; it is no small thing for a person who seeks God1 to learn to surrender to God's will. Prayer can have that effect.
- And now for the usual disclaimer: I don't care whether you believe in God. I am not trying to change your mind. I am only addressing the effect on people who believe in God and who believe in prayer.