Yes, I believe that’s a part of it. Just the act of formulating “this is a problem that I don’t know how to solve, please help” sometimes starts some kind of problem solving of my own.

But another thing that “atheistic prayer” does for me is that if/when that thing happens, I’m more likely to notice it. And a problem dissolving by itself, or due to someone helping me, is something I really want to notice.

“There’s just us”. It’s frightening. It’s inspiring. Sometimes it’s comforting.

Fascinating. I do too, in a way - I find it helps to think about what help I need, in a way that is quite prayer-like (I believe ). For me, it’s a way of reminding myself that I don’t have to fix everything myself, not even in my own life. Sometimes good things happen for no reason.