With pre-disaster fear, disasters taking place and post-disaster commentary (to name just a few reasons) the web seems full of comments such as 'we are praying for you', 'our thoughts and prayers are with you', and ' I will pray for your safety' et. all, as if the act of praying itself can change or manipulate the outcome of events. How long will in be before these magical words will lose all meaning? Surely some pray wish-lists are just social grace or are meant to be kind comments, or perhaps to have control over the uncontrollable, but it seems these wasted words re-enforce magical thinking and are patronizing at the very least. Is it not time to 'out' praying for what it is, complete and utter magical nonsense and manipulation of otherwise meaningful acts of compassion?